Manager, External Communications — Media Relations Leader

McCormick & Company, Inc.; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k plan

Health insurance

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Flexible benefits

Job summary

McCormick & Company, Inc. in Hunt Valley, Maryland is seeking a Manager, External Communications to lead proactive media relations and executive messaging in a hybrid role.

Reporting to the Director, External Corporate Communications, you will develop press materials, manage inquiries, coach spokespeople, and shape narratives that align with corporate priorities across global markets. The ideal candidate will have 4–5 years in corporate communications, exceptional writing, and strong

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 savvy and news awareness
• Relationship building and influence
• Executive presence and professionalism
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Agility and adaptability
• Strong attention to detail
• Results orientation

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

Writing & editing

Media relations

Executive communications

Thought leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Agility

Results orientation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Tools

Media monitoring platforms

Analytics platforms

Event management tools

Job description

McCormick & Company, Inc. in Hunt Valley, Maryland is seeking a Manager, External Communications to lead proactive media relations and executive messaging in a hybrid role.

Reporting to the Director, External Corporate Communications, you will develop press materials, manage inquiries, coach spokespeople, and shape narratives that align with corporate priorities across global markets. The ideal candidate will have 4–5 years in corporate communications, exceptional writing, and strong