Director of Communications

South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce seeks a Director of Communications to lead SCMC’s communications strategy, both with the media and SCMC members. The role blends corporate and political communications to advise executive leadership and serve as spokesperson.

Responsibilities include developing internal/external strategies, crafting messages for major announcements, and managing crisis communications. Travel and flexible hours may be required to engage stakeholders across South Carolina.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field.
• 5–7 years of progressive external communications experience.
• Experience with advocacy groups, trade associations, or government entities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute internal and external communications strategies.
• Partner with senior leadership to craft key messages for major announcements.
• Monitor industry trends and media landscape to inform strategies.
• Lead crisis communication planning and response as spokesperson.
• Build relationships with political reporters and media outlets.
• Coordinate messaging during legislative sessions and policy debates.
• Collaborate with Marketing on SCMC Content Calendar.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis comms

Strategic messaging

Spokesperson

Stakeholder engagement

Content strategy

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field

Tools

Video production

Media monitoring tools

Job description

POSITION TITLE

Director of Communications

LOCATION

Columbia, South Carolina

REPORTS TO

SCMC Vice President of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming

STATUS

Full-Time; Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Communications leads SCMC’s communications strategy and execution both externally with the media and public and internally with SCMC membership. This role combines traditional corporate communications expertise with political communications acumen, requiring a strategic communicator who can navigate complex political landscapes, manage high-pressure media situations, and serve as both spokesperson and trusted advisor to executive leadership on all communication matters.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive internal and external communications strategies aligned with business objectives and organizational priorities
• Partner with senior leadership to craft key messages and positioning for major announcements and strategic initiatives
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities, and media landscape to inform communication strategies
• Execute crisis communication planning and response, serving as primary point of contact during sensitive situations

Media Relations & Spokesperson Duties

• Build and maintain relationships with political reporters, beat journalists, industry trade press, and media outlets
• Conduct regular press briefings, gaggle sessions, and on-the-record interviews as organizational spokesperson
• Coordinate daily media monitoring and provide real-time guidance to leadership on emerging stories
• Execute proactive media strategies to advance organizational messaging and counter negative narratives
• Manage both scheduled and impromptu press interactions with ability to think quickly under intense scrutiny
• Develop rapid response capabilities for breaking news, opposition attacks, and crisis situations

Political Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Navigate complex political environments and maintain relationships with government officials, regulators, and policy influencers
• In coordination with President & CEO and VP of Government Affairs, coordinate messaging strategies during legislative sessions, regulatory proceedings, and policy debates
• Engage with diverse stakeholder groups including member companies, legislators and staff, community leaders, and political allies
• Develop and execute coalition-building efforts with allied organizations and advocacy groups
• Manage communications during political campaign seasons, ballot initiatives, or advocacy efforts
• Monitor opposition research and competitive intelligence

Content Strategy & Brand Management

• Develop communication materials including social media, press releases, newsletters, emails, blog posts, white papers, and executive presentations
• Ensure consistent brand voice and messaging across all external communications channels
• Collaborate with membership, marketing, policy, and other departments to align external messaging with broader organizational initiatives
• Manage external communications calendar and coordinate timing of announcements with business priorities
• Collaborate with Director of Marketing on SCMC Content Calendar.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Establish metrics and reporting systems to measure communication effectiveness and ROI
• Collaborate cross-functionally with membership, policy, marketing, and other key departments

Experience & Background

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in external communications, political communications, campaign communications, or government press operations
• Track record of managing communications for advocacy groups, trade associations, political campaigns, or government entities

Core Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to deliver messages clearly and precisely
• Advanced media relations experience with established network of political reporters, beat journalists, and news producers
• Strategic messaging development with understanding of political narratives and opposition research tactics
• Experience with both traditional and digital communications, including real-time social media engagement during breaking news. Video production and editing ability necessary.
• Rapid response and crisis communication expertise, including ability to craft messaging within tight deadlines
• Ability to use a computer, computer software, applications, social media apps, email and the Internet
• In office presence during scheduled hours, and work collaboratively in face-to-face interactions with others (other staff, members, directors, and the public)
• Ability to work non-scheduled office hours when job requires
• Prompt, Regular, predictable, and full attendance
• Ability to handle productivity requirements of job (fast paced, stressful, and full attention when exigent issues arise)
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and high levels of stress
• Ability to work effectively, efficiently and with a high degree of accuracy, despite stress, interruptions or other office distractions.
• Ability to set goals, meet deadlines, and work independently without excessive supervision or instruction
• Ability to concentrate in a normal office environment and follow through on a task to completion
• Ability to align multiple points of view, think critically about the consequences of communications, and align all communications with the organization’s mission and the membership’s goals.
• Ability to multi-task and/or stop project to focus on other issues and then resume project
• Ability to work and sustain attention with distractions and/or interruptions
• Ability to learn new tasks or dynamic factual issues quickly, including the ability to read, comprehend and retain information quickly
• Ability to utilize time management skills and otherwise organize/prioritize tasks
• Ability to comprehend and understand both written and oral instructions
• Ability to remain poised under all circumstances, diffuse conflict with colleagues and/or customers/vendors/members, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team

Political & Communication Skills

• Deep understanding of political processes, campaign cycles, and legislative/regulatory environments
• Knowledge of media landscape including political beat reporters, cable news bookers, and digital influencers
• Experience with polling analysis, message testing, and public opinion research
• Understanding of opposition research, fact-checking processes, and defensive messaging strategies
• Proficiency in rapid response systems, media monitoring tools, and real-time communications platforms
• Knowledge of legal considerations in political communications, including disclosure requirements and compliance issues

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Proven ability to remain calm and articulate under intense pressure and hostile questioning
• Exceptional judgment in high-stakes situations with ability to make split-second messaging decisions
• Strong coaching abilities to prepare executives for challenging interviews and public appearances
• High emotional intelligence and thick skin for managing criticism and negative coverage
• Discretion and loyalty with ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
• On the cutting edge of the latest communications platforms, technology, and trends
• Adaptability to work in fast-paced, 24/7 news cycle environment with irregular schedules

Compensation And Benefits

Compensation

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives, at the discretion of SCMC President and CEO and Board leadership.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities and continuing education support

Working Conditions

• Primary office location, with frequent travel throughout the state
• Some evening and weekend work required for industry events and networking functions