External Communications Manager

PR Girl Manifesto; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

PR Girl Manifesto is seeking an External Communications Manager to lead media relations, craft external messaging, and guide issues-based planning. You will oversee two direct reports and partner with Legal, Regulatory, and Operations teams to align with strategic priorities.

The role emphasizes storytelling, issue management, and cross-functional collaboration across internal and external channels. Strong writing and executive-facing messaging are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field required.
• 7-10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations required.
• Ideal candidate will have 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platform required.
• Ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and crisis communications experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations for local, regional, and national outlets.
• Develop proactive media strategies and executive briefings.
• Monitor coverage and provide leadership with insights and recommendations.
• Draft external statements and ensure messaging consistency.
• Counsel leadership on communications risks, stakeholder impact, and mitigation.
• Measure effectiveness using analytics, sentiment, and share of voice.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic storytelling

Executive messaging

Stakeholder management

Writing and editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Tools

Cision

PR Newswire

Meltwater

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The External Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategic external communications that enhance the company's reputation, strengthen stakeholder trust, and support key business priorities. This role leads media relations, manages proactive and reactive messaging, drives issue-based communications planning, and elevates storytelling around strategic initiatives. The position also provides leadership and guidance to two direct reports, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and communications priorities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Media Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries; manage relationships with local, regional, and national outlets
• Develop and execute media strategies to proactively position the company and its leadership
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts for media engagement, including briefings and key messages
• Monitor media coverage and sentiment; provide insights and recommendations to leadership
• Manage media distribution platforms and tools, including press release dissemination, media list management, performance reporting, and journalist engagement tracking

External Messaging & Statements

• Draft, review, and approve external statements in response to emerging issues and stakeholder inquiries
• Develop proactive messaging to support strategic announcements and reputation-building initiatives
• Ensure message consistency across channels and alignment with corporate positioning and regulatory expectations
• Partner with Legal, Regulatory, and Operational teams on sensitive or high-risk communications

Issues Management & Communications Planning

• Lead development and execution of communications plans for issues, crises, and high-profile business developments
• Anticipate reputational risks and develop scenario-based messaging and response strategies
• Coordinate cross-functional communications to ensure timely and accurate responses
• Provide counsel to leadership on communications risks, stakeholder impact, and mitigation strategies
• Measure and report on communications effectiveness using media analytics, sentiment analysis, share of voice, and stakeholder engagement metrics
• Use AI responsibly as a tool to enhance research, monitoring, drafting and workflow efficiency (and not as a substitute for sound communications judgment, fact-checking, creativity or brand stewardship).

Strategic Storytelling

• Develop compelling narratives that highlight company impact and value across key initiatives
• Identify opportunities to elevate stories through earned media, digital channels, and executive visibility
• Translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear, engaging messaging

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Internal Communications, Government Affairs, Regulatory, Operations, and Brand teams to ensure alignment
• Support integrated communications campaigns and enterprise-wide initiatives
• Collaborate with digital and social teams to amplify messaging
• Work with Digital Advocacy team in monitoring traditional, digital, and social media conversations to identify emerging issues, assess reputational risk, and provide actionable insights to leadership
• Partner with Internal and Digital Advocacy teams to optimize content for web, social, intranet and multimedia channels to maximize reach and engagement

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field required
• 7-10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or media relations required
• Ideal candidate will have 2 years of management experience.
• Experience working with Cision, PR Newswire, Meltwater or related platform required
• Ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and experience managing high-profile issues, crisis communications, and executive-level messaging
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., energy, utilities, infrastructure) preferred
• Social media experience is a plus

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a focus on clarity and precision
• Ability to translate complex information into concise, audience-focused messaging
• Strategic thinking with strong executive presence
• Strong judgment and ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments
• Effective stakeholder management and ability to influence without authority
• High attention to detail and message discipline
• Agility and responsiveness in rapidly evolving situations