Director, External Communications & Media Strategy

Smart Foodservice Stores; Rosemont (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Long-term disability

Employee stock purchase plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Smart Foodservice Stores in Rosemont, IL is seeking a Director External Communications & Media Relations to lead external communications strategies, media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. You will align messaging with enterprise goals and protect the organization’s reputation across public audiences.

This hybrid role includes coordinating with the CEO and executive leadership, managing an agency and budget, and guiding rapid response during crises.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Experience leading media relations and crisis communications at enterprise level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage reputational risk in a large matrixed org.
• Experience with external PR agencies and executive counseling.

Responsibilities

• Partner with CEO and leadership to align external comms with goals.
• Develop plans supporting business goals and brand positioning.
• Ensure alignment of corporate messaging with media and community outreach.
• Lead media relations strategy and execute interviews with executives.
• Oversee media monitoring, messaging across channels and agency budgets.
• Develop crisis communication plans and rapid response support.

Skills

Corporate communications

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Stakeholder relations

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business

Job description

Smart Foodservice Stores in Rosemont, IL is seeking a Director External Communications & Media Relations to lead external communications strategies, media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. You will align messaging with enterprise goals and protect the organization’s reputation across public audiences.

This hybrid role includes coordinating with the CEO and executive leadership, managing an agency and budget, and guiding rapid response during crises.