Communications Manager

MK Search; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MK Search partners with a global PE-backed industrial organization that is undergoing transformation, and we are looking for a high-impact Communications Manager to shape the next chapter.

This role provides meaningful visibility with senior leadership, ownership of U.S. communications strategy and execution, and the chance to build, elevate, and modernize how the company communicates with employees, customers, communities, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive communications, corporate communications, PR, or agency experience.
• Proven experience developing and executing internal and external communications.
• Strong executive communications experience with the ability to advise and influence senior leaders.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing external communications agencies, vendors, or strategic partners.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media.
• Ability to translate complex technical or business information into clear messaging.
• Capable of operating in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute U.S. internal and external communications strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Partner with senior executives to develop executive messaging, presentations, and announcements.
• Lead external communications through media relations, press releases, and social media.
• Own communications across intranet, website, newsletters, presentations, and events.
• Translate complex information into clear messaging for corporate and manufacturing audiences.
• Manage external communications agencies and strategic partners.
• Support change management, transformation, and M&A communications.
• Collaborate with global communications leadership and U.S. leadership.

Skills

Executive messaging

Written communication

Verbal presentation

Media relations

Social media

Stakeholder management

Change management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public PR, Journalism, Marketing

Job description

We are partnering with a global, PE-backed industrial sector organization that is entering an exciting period of transformation and growth - and we're looking for a high-impact Communications Manager to help shape the next chapter.

This is not a traditional "keep the trains running" communications role. You'll have meaningful visibility with senior leadership, ownership of U.S. communications strategy and execution, and the opportunity to build, elevate, and modernize how the organization communicates with employees, customers, communities, and external stakeholders.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Develop and execute U.S. internal and external communications strategies aligned with business priorities and transformation initiatives
• Partner directly with senior executives to develop executive messaging, presentations, town halls, announcements, and key communications
• Lead external communications efforts, including media relations, press releases, social media, and corporate visibility
• Own communications across multiple channels, including intranet, website, employee communications, newsletters, presentations, and events
• Translate complex technical and business information into clear, compelling messaging for both corporate and manufacturing audiences
• Manage external communications agencies and strategic partners
• Support change management, organizational transformation, and future M&A communications
• Collaborate closely with global communications leadership and international stakeholders while serving as a key communications partner to U.S. leadership

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive communications, corporate communications, PR, or agency experience
• Proven experience developing and executing internal and external communications
• Strong executive communications experience with the ability to advise and influence senior leaders
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Experience managing external communications agencies, vendors, or strategic partners
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media
• Ability to take complex technical, operational, or business information and turn it into clear, engaging messaging
• Demonstrated ability to operate successfully in a fast-paced, changing environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Comfortable working directly with both executive leadership and front-line/manufacturing employees
• Highly proactive and self-directed - you're comfortable creating the strategy and executing it yourself
• Strong business judgment, executive presence, and stakeholder-management skills
• Willingness to collaborate with global teams across time zones and travel periodically to U.S. site locations

IDEAL BACKGROUND

The strongest candidates will bring a combination of corporate and/or agency communications experience, with exposure to environments such as manufacturing, energy, industrial, technology, or other B2B organizations.

Experience within a PE-backed, high-growth, transformation, or M&A environment is highly attractive.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is creative, current, entrepreneurial, and energized by the opportunity to build. This is an ideal opportunity for a communications professional who wants visibility with leadership, meaningful ownership, and the freedom to bring fresh ideas to the table.

WHY THIS ROLE?

This is a rare opportunity to join an organization where the communications function is being elevated alongside a broader business transformation. You won't be walking into a rigid, plug-and-play environment - you'll have the opportunity to make an impact, introduce fresh ideas, work directly with leadership, and help define what great communications looks like for the U.S. organization.