Manager, External Communications

McCormick & Company; Cockeysville (MD); On-site; USD 81,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career growth opportunities

Flexibility and support for diverse Lf

401(k) and health benefits

Total rewards program

Job summary

McCormick & Company is seeking a skilled External Corporate Communications professional in the United States to drive and execute communications programs that bolster the company’s reputation and executive visibility across global markets.

The role emphasizes exceptional writing, media relations, and thought leadership, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align messaging with corporate priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or business.
• 4–5 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences and channels.
• Experience supporting media relations programs and working with journalists.
• Experience developing executive communications and thought leadership content.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of proactive media relations strategies that advance the company’s brand, reputation, and business objectives.
• Develop and edit press releases, media pitches, fact sheets, messaging documents, Q&A materials, and other external communications content.
• Manage incoming media inquiries and coordinate timely, well-aligned responses with internal stakeholders and external communications leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, industry influencers, and media outlets.
• Monitor media coverage, identify emerging trends and potential risks, and provide recommendations to communications leadership.
• Manage media preparation activities, including development of briefing materials and coordination of spokesperson coaching.
• Develop compelling executive communications materials, including talking points, keynote remarks, and social media content.
• Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and thought leadership across industry, business, and trade media.
• Ensure executive messaging aligns with corporate priorities, company values, business strategy, and approved communications objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders to develop impactful, audience‑relevant narratives.
• Manage the end‑to‑end process for executive speaking opportunities, including evaluating requests, developing content, coordinating logistics, and supporting event preparation.
• Develop and refine presentations, speeches, panel discussion talking points, and audience‑specific messaging.
• Partner with event organizers, industry associations, and internal stakeholders to maximize external visibility opportunities.
• Track and measure engagement outcomes and provide recommendations for future opportunities.
• Partner closely with Investor Relations, Marketing, HR, brands, and internal/function communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across audiences.
• Align corporate narrative with brand storytelling to reflect a cohesive company story.
• Manage agency partners and external vendors as needed, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with approved objectives.
• Maintain and improve communications calendars, project plans, and reporting mechanisms.
• Track communications metrics and provide insights on performance and impact.

Skills

Executive communications

Media relations

Strong writing

Storytelling

Stakeholder management

Project management

Relationship building

Agility/adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Tools

Media monitoring platforms

Job description

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team. McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

What We Bring To The Table

The best people deserve the best rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a global leader (401k, health insurance, paid time off, etc.) we also offer:

• Competitive compensation
• Career growth opportunities
• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director, External Corporate Communications, this role will help drive and execute communications programs that enhance the company’s reputation, elevate executive visibility, and support key business priorities across global markets. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator with experience in media relations, executive communications, thought leadership, and speaking engagement management. This individual should possess a solid understanding of the evolving media landscape, strong relationship‑building skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of proactive media relations strategies that advance the company’s brand, reputation, and business objectives.
• Develop and edit press releases, media pitches, fact sheets, messaging documents, Q&A materials, and other external communications content.
• Manage incoming media inquiries and coordinate timely, well‑aligned responses with internal stakeholders and external communications leadership.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, industry influencers, and media outlets.
• Monitor media coverage, identify emerging trends and potential risks, and provide recommendations to communications leadership.
• Manage media preparation activities, including development of briefing materials and coordination of spokesperson coaching.
• Develop compelling executive communications materials, including talking points, keynote remarks, and social media content.
• Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and thought leadership across industry, business, and trade media.
• Ensure executive messaging aligns with corporate priorities, company values, business strategy, and approved communications objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders to develop impactful, audience‑relevant narratives.
• Manage the end‑to‑end process for executive speaking opportunities, including evaluating requests, developing content, coordinating logistics, and supporting event preparation.
• Develop and refine presentations, speeches, panel discussion talking points, and audience‑specific messaging.
• Partner with event organizers, industry associations, and internal stakeholders to maximize external visibility opportunities.
• Track and measure engagement outcomes and provide recommendations for future opportunities.
• Partner closely with Investor Relations, Marketing, HR, brands, and internal/function communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across audiences.
• Align corporate narrative with brand storytelling to reflect a cohesive company story.
• Manage agency partners and external vendors as needed, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with approved objectives.
• Maintain and improve communications calendars, project plans, and reporting mechanisms.
• Track communications metrics and provide insights on performance and impact.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or business
• 4–5 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences and channels.
• Experience supporting media relations programs and working with journalists.
• Experience developing executive communications and thought leadership content.
• Strong understanding of the global media landscape, including traditional, digital, social, and emerging media.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and a consistent commitment to quality.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgment
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Media savy and news awareness
• Relationship building and influence
• Executive presence and professionalism
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Agility and adaptability
• Strong attention to detail
• Results orientation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a global corporate environment or public relations agency.
• Experience supporting C-suite or senior executive communications.
• Familiarity with media monitoring and analytics platforms.
• Experience managing speaking engagements, conferences, and industry events.
• Experience managing agency partners, external vendors, or defined communications workstreams.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future.

Base Salary

Base Salary: 80,500 - 137,000

Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Sales Incentive Bonus (SIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Dividend Program.

In Addition To a Competitive Compensation Package, Permanent Employees Of McCormick Are Eligible For Our Extensive Total Rewards Programs That Include

• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits
• Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support
• Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit‑sharing plans

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.