Director, External Communications & Reputation

Transamerica

Philadelphia (Philadelphia County)

Hybrid

USD 145,000 - 183,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Job summary

Transamerica is seeking a Director of External Communications & Reputation to lead the development and execution of strategic external communications, strengthening brand reputation and mitigating reputational risk across media relations, crisis response, and stakeholder engagement.

In this role, you will guide senior leadership on messaging, build relationships with journalists and influencers, draft press materials, and work cross-functionally with legal, risk, IR, and other teams to protect

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in communications or related field.
15+ years of experience in media relations, PR, or crisis communications.
Experience handling high-profile reputational issues and sensitive situations.
Ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans at enterprise and business levels.
Experience in earned media, messaging, and issues management.
Strong writing and editing skills; translate priorities into narratives.
Knowledge of media dynamics, crisis response, and reputation management.
Proficient with MS Office.

Responsibilities

Manage enterprise and lines of business' reputation strategy and crisis readiness.
Develop and execute crisis communications plans with playbooks.
Build relationships with journalists and industry influencers.
Advise senior leadership on reputational risk and positioning.
Identify thought leadership opportunities across media and events.
Draft press releases, statements, and executive remarks.
Monitor media coverage and adjust strategies.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis management

Strategic communications

Earned media

Writing & editing

Crisis protocols

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Family

External Communications and Media Relations

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.

Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them.

We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

The Director, External Communications & Reputation manages the development and execution of strategic external communications to strengthen brand reputation, manage reputational risk, and support business objectives through media relations, crisis response, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

Manage the enterprise and its lines of business’ reputation management strategy, ensuring preparedness and a timely response to high-impact issues and crises.
Develop and execute crisis communications plans, including scenario planning, playbooks, and real-time response.
Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, editors, and industry influencers to strengthen media presence.
Advise senior leadership on reputational risk, corporate positioning, executive visibility, and emerging issues.
Identify and advance thought leadership opportunities across media, events, and speaking engagements.
Draft press releases, articles, executive remarks, media statements, and issue responses.
Anticipate and analyze media and industry trends to inform proactive communications strategies.
Partner cross-functionally with legal, compliance, risk, government affairs, investor relations, human resources, and business leaders to align messaging and protect reputation.
Monitor and analyze media coverage, sentiment, and emerging risks; adjust strategies accordingly.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, strategic marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience
15 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or crisis communications
Experience managing high-profile reputational issues and sensitive situations
Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans at enterprise and business levels
Experience in earned media, message development, and issues management
Skilled in writing, editing, and translating business priorities into compelling narratives
Knowledge of media dynamics, crisis response protocols, and reputation management strategies
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting executive communications and visibility strategies
Experience working in highly regulated industries or complex corporate environments

Working Conditions

Hybrid Office or Remote environment
May require extended hours during crisis situations or high-profile events
Occasional travel for media engagements, industry events, and stakeholder meetings

Compensation

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $145,000 - $183,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.
Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

Applicants must possess legal authorization to work for our company in the U.S. without the need for immigration, sponsorship or otherwise serving as an employer of record for immigration employment purposes. At this time, this role is not eligible for immigration-related employment authorization sponsorship.

This is a hybrid position requiring three days in office per week in one of our hub locations. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Offer

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.

Compensation Benefits

Competitive Pay
Bonus for Eligible Employees

Benefits Package

Pension Plan
401k Match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Discounts
Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits

Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program
Back-Up Care Program
PTO for Volunteer Hours
Employee Matching Gifts Program
Employee Resource Groups
Inclusion and Diversity Programs
Employee Recognition Program
Referral Bonus Programs

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.