Director, External & Financial Communications

Sunrise Senior Living Mgmt Inc; United States; On-site; USD 175,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement savings plans

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Sunrise Senior Living seeks a Director of External Communications to lead corporate communications, media relations, and investor communications, shaping Sunrise’s market narrative and strengthening brand awareness.

You will position executives as industry authorities, drive strategic messaging, and manage crises and reputation while supporting growth initiatives and M&A partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, PR, or related field.
• 10+ years in corporate communications, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Experience with financial and investor communications and complex business information.
• Proven success building external communication strategies and narratives.
• Strong writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Experience managing PR agencies, vendors, budgets and programs.
• Ability to measure communications effectiveness and ROI.

Responsibilities

• Support Development, Growth, Marketing Communications, and M&A initiatives with external messaging.
• Develop and execute an integrated external communications strategy aligned with growth goals.
• Build corporate narratives that differentiate Sunrise and establish leadership.
• Lead media relations, earned media, thought leadership, and executive positioning.
• Cultivate journalist/analyst relationships and manage key stakeholders.
• Lead crisis communications and reputation management with Legal and executives.
• Collaborate with Finance on investor communications and market-moving announcements.
• Develop executive thought leadership, op-eds, and speaking opportunities.
• Manage PR agencies, budgets, KPIs, and program performance.
• Implement analytics reporting for media coverage and brand perception.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Strategic storytelling

Analytics & ROI

Vendor management

Investor communications

Education

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

Tools

PR agencies

Job description

Why Join Sunrise Senior Living

At 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 Responsibilities

• Support Development, Growth, Marketing Communications, and M&A initiatives with strategic messaging and external communications.
• Develop 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required.
• 10+ years of progressive corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications experience.
• Experience with financial and investor communications and communicating complex business and financial information.
• Demonstrated success developing external communications strategies and shaping corporate narratives.
• Strong experience with media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, executive communications, and reputation management.
• 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 & Financial Communications | Corporate Communications | Media Relations | PR

Pay Range: 175,013.33 - 218,766.66

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.

Benefits and Compensation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
• Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
• myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
• Tuition Reimbursement

Some benefits have eligibility requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sunrise Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At Sunrise Senior Living, we are united by a mission to champion quality of life for all seniors, and we believe we shine brightest when we support one another and those we serve.