Director, External Communication – Media Relations

Jobtailor; Rosemont (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior communications leader in Illinois to shape and protect the company’s reputation through strategic external communications. You will drive integrated plans, align messaging with brand goals, and lead enterprise media relations strategy.

You will serve as the primary spokesperson, advise executives, and build relationships with key media targets while guiding crisis communication and reputational risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business or related field, or equivalent related work experience.
• 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Promote, shape and protect the organization’s reputation through strategic external communications.
• Develop integrated communication plans that support business goals and brand positioning.
• Lead the development and execution of enterprise media relations strategy.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and media advisor for the organization.
• Develop proactive storytelling strategies that elevate brand visibility.

Skills

Corporate Communications

Media Relations

Crisis Communication

Reputation Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR or related field

Job description

• Promote, shape and protect the organization's reputation through strategic external communications.
• Develop integrated communication plans that support business goals and brand positioning.
• Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, media engagement, and community outreach.
• Lead the development and execution of enterprise media relations strategy.
• Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders.
• Develop proactive storytelling strategies that elevate brand visibility.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and media advisor for the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media targets.
• Oversee media monitoring, messaging consistency, and reputation tracking.
• Lead issues management external communication strategies.
• Develop and execute crisis communication plans in collaboration with senior leadership and legal teams.
• Support externally facing community affairs strategies for driving media awareness.

Requirements

• 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong track record of managing complex issues and reputational risk in a large, matrixed organization.
• Expertise in managing external public relations or communications agencies.
• Experience counseling and engaging with executive leadership and serving as a trusted communications advisor.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business or related field, or equivalent related work experience.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in corporate communications and media relations, with a strong focus on crisis communication and reputation management. Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans that align with business goals and enhance brand visibility.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Corporate Communications
• Media Relations
• Crisis Communication
• Reputation Management
• Stakeholder Engagement

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Strategic Communication Planning
• Media Monitoring
• Storytelling Strategies
• Issues Management
• Crisis Communication Planning

Soft Skills

• Excellent Written Communication
• Excellent Oral Communication
• Relationship Building
• Advisory Skills

Industry Keywords

• Public Relations
• Media Engagement
• Community Outreach
• Reputational Risk Management
• Executive Communication