External Communications, Media & PR Manager

01460 Continental Casualty Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

CNA offers a chance to shape and protect its reputation by leading external communications and strategic storytelling. The Marketing Manager will translate complex insurance topics into compelling narratives, guide media engagement, and partner with leaders to elevate CNA’s brand and thought leadership.

The role requires strong business acumen, superior writing, and the ability to drive integrated communications that align with enterprise priorities and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Commercial insurance industry experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically a minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations or a related field.
• Experience advising leaders and stakeholders on strategic or high‑profile communications initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a trusted communications advisor with strategic messaging and stakeholder engagement.
• Develops external communications strategies to support priorities and growth.
• Manages media relations, executive visibility and spokesperson preparation.
• Leads awards and recognition programs to elevate reputation and thought leadership.
• Collaborates with business leaders to create compelling narratives and ensure consistency.

Skills

External communications

Media relations

Public relations

Writing & storytelling

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Insurance industry experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/PR/Journalism/Marketing/English

Job description

You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential. As a key member of the External Communications team, this role helps shape and protect CNA's reputation among brokers, customers, industry stakeholders, media and other external audiences. The Marketing Manager serves as a strategic communications advisor, developing and executing integrated communications strategies that advance business objectives, strengthen market positioning and elevate CNA's brand and thought leadership. Working closely with business leaders and subject matter experts, this individual identifies opportunities to amplify CNA's voice in the marketplace, manages media and public relations initiatives, and provides communications counsel on both proactive and sensitive issues. The role requires strong business acumen, exceptional communication skills and the ability to translate complex topics into compelling stories and messaging that resonate with external audiences.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

• Serves as a trusted communications advisor, providing strategic counsel on messaging, reputation management, communications risks and opportunities, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Develops and executes external communications strategies that support enterprise priorities, business objectives and key growth initiatives.
• Manages media and public relations programs, reputation management, executive visibility, reporter engagement, media materials development, spokesperson preparation, media monitoring and results reporting.
• Leads CNA's Awards & Recognition program as a key component of the company's reputation and thought leadership strategy.
• Execute opportunities that enhance CNA's external profile, elevate executives and subject matter experts, and showcase the company's expertise, culture and business performance to key stakeholders.
• Identifies and develops opportunities to enhance CNA's visibility and reputation through thought leadership, executive positioning, speaking engagements, industry awards and recognition programs.
• Partners with business leaders and subject matter experts to create compelling content and storytelling that strengthens CNA's market presence and supports strategic priorities.
• Monitors emerging issues, assesses potential reputational impacts and recommends communications strategies, messaging and response plans.
• Manages agency relationships and external communications projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, brand standards and expected outcomes.
• Measures and analyzes communications performance, media coverage and reputation‑building activities, leveraging insights to optimize future strategies and programs.
• Collaborates across Marketing & Communications and business teams to ensure consistent messaging and a coordinated approach to external engagement.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Commercial insurance industry experience required.
• Strong expertise in external communications, media relations and public relations, including earned media strategy, message development, spokesperson support and issues management.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex business, insurance and industry topics into clear, compelling communications.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic communications plans that support business objectives and enhance reputation.
• Experience positioning organizations, leaders and subject matter experts through thought leadership, executive visibility programs, speaking engagements and industry recognition opportunities.
• Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Education & Experience

• Commercial insurance industry experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically a minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations or a related field.
• Experience advising leaders and stakeholders on strategic or high‑profile communications initiatives.

In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role.

In District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington, the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually.

Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.

CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals. For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.

CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.

CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact [e-mail]

At CNA, we are focused on success, individually and collectively. We pride ourselves on promoting a culture that challenges and engages people. We strive to connect people, departments and business areas, to function as a team, and to serve our customers and communities with professionalism and respect.

Our dedication to employee engagement, continuous learning and the open exchange of ideas is the cornerstone of our business. These ideals, combined with our focus on the customer, enable us to explore new market opportunities and build on our success. Our values, culture and financial strength are what differentiates us from other employers and make CNA the place you want to work.

At CNA, we are committed to advancing a culture of inclusion – one that attracts talent from all walks of life, fosters respect and collaboration, and enables all of our colleagues to do their best work. At CNA, we have a long standing commitment to the diverse communities in which we live and work. We actively make a difference for the greater good through partnerships, sustainability, initiatives, and working together for a better tomorrow. Corporate Social Responsibility is not one person, or one department, it's the entire enterprise coming together to make the world a better place.