Director, External & Financial Communications

Sunrise Senior Living; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Savings Plans

Employee Assistance Program

Discount Program

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Tuition Reimbursement

myFlexPay

Job summary

Sunrise Senior Living is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead corporate communications, media relations, thought leadership, and reputation management. This strategic leader will shape Sunrise’s market narrative, strengthen brand awareness, position executives as industry authorities, and support strategic growth, business development, M&A, and investor communications.

The role requires a proven track record in managing external communications programs, crisis management, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, PR, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive corporate communications, PR, media relations, or strategic comms experience.
• Demonstrated success developing external comms strategies and shaping corporate narratives.
• Strong experience with media relations, thought leadership, crisis comms, executive comms, and reputation management.
• Experience with financial and investor communications and communicating complex business and financial information.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Experience managing PR agencies, vendors, budgets, and strategic communications programs.
• Strong analytical and business acumen with experience measuring communications effectiveness and ROI.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated external communications strategy aligned with growth objectives.
• Lead media relations, earned media, thought leadership, and executive positioning across business, industry, and financial media.
• Build relationships with journalists, analysts, industry influencers, and key external stakeholders.
• Lead crisis communications, issues management, reputation management, and rapid-response strategies with Legal and leadership.
• Partner with Finance on financial and investor communications, acquisitions, and market-moving initiatives.
• Develop executive thought leadership, including op-eds, speaking opportunities, and industry recognition.
• Support Development, Growth, Marketing Communications, and M&A initiatives with strategic messaging.
• Manage PR agencies, communications vendors, budgets, KPIs, and program performance.
• Establish analytics and reporting to measure media coverage, brand perception, stakeholder engagement, investor sentiment, and ROI.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Writing & editing

Strategic thinking

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field

Tools

Cision

MS Office

Job description

Why Join Sunrise Senior LivingAt Sunrise Senior Living, we believe meaningful work starts with purpose. Our team members are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of residents every day.Sunrise Senior Living is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead corporate communications, media relations, thought leadership, and reputation management. This strategic leader will shape Sunrise’s market narrative, strengthen brand awareness, position executives as industry authorities, and support strategic growth, business development, M&A, and investor communications.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute an integrated external communications and corporate communications strategy aligned with business and growth objectives.Build compelling corporate narratives and messaging that differentiate Sunrise and establish category leadership.Lead media relations, public relations, earned media, thought leadership, and executive positioning across business, industry, and financial media.Build relationships with journalists, analysts, industry influencers, and key external stakeholders.Lead crisis communications, issues management, reputation management, and rapid-response strategies in partnership with Legal and executive leadership.Partner with Finance and senior leadership on financial and investor communications , acquisitions, corporate announcements, and market-moving initiatives.Develop executive thought leadership, including op-eds, speaking opportunities, media appearances, and industry recognition .Support Development, Growth, Marketing Communications, and M&A initiatives with strategic messaging and external communications.Manage PR agencies, communications vendors, budgets, KPIs, and program performance.Establish communications analytics and reporting to measure media coverage, brand perception, stakeholder engagement, investor sentiment, and ROI .QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field.10+ years of progressive corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications experience .Demonstrated success developing external communications strategies and shaping corporate narratives.Strong experience with media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, executive communications, and reputation management .Experience with financial and investor communications and communicating complex business and financial information.Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills.Experience managing PR agencies, vendors, budgets, and strategic communications programs.Strong analytical and business acumen with experience measuring communications effectiveness and ROI.Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly visible corporate environment and influence senior executives.Director, External Communications | Corporate Communications | Media Relations | PRPay Range:175,013.33 - 218,766.66Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals – at work and in your life.We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability PlansRetirement Savings PlansEmployee Assistant Program / Discount ProgramPaid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday paymyFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shiftTuition ReimbursementIn addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses. The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee’s position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.Some benefits have eligibility requirementsApply today to learn why Sunrise Senior Living is a certified Great Place to WorkEqual Opportunity EmployerSunrise Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.