Media & Public Affairs Manager

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Caterpillar Inc. is seeking a Media & Public Affairs Manager to shape and amplify Caterpillar’s innovation narratives across earned and paid media, thought leadership, and executive platforms. This role partners with legal, engineering, HR, and government affairs, and is open to Irving, TX or Peoria, IL.

The position focuses on developing public affairs plans, content creation, and influencer engagement while collaborating with senior leaders to maintain a strong external narrative.

Qualifications

• Experience developing public affairs and media strategies across paid, earned and owned channels.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to produce executive level content.
• Experience in crisis communications or issues management; able to deliver under pressure.
• Experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs, journalism, or related discipline.
• Direct experience working with national media.
• Ability to simplify complex topics into clear audience-friendly messages.
• Strong collaboration across functions and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop a public affairs plan aligned to Caterpillar's narrative and audiences.
• Develop content on innovation and advanced technology leadership for owned channels.
• Identify and highlight patents, IP, and innovation stories and the people behind them.
• Lead innovation-focused awards submissions with legal and engineering partners.
• Identify speaking and thought leadership opportunities and prepare materials.
• Identify and engage media, influencers and stakeholders to amplify Caterpillar stories.
• Draft proactive and reactive statements and materials as needed.
• Serve as a general media contact for Caterpillar stories and events.
• Collaborate with the enterprise media team to integrate narratives across channels.
• Measure and present Caterpillar's results and competitive standing.

Skills

Public affairs strategy

Writing & editing

Crisis communications

National media experience

Clear messaging

Cross-functional collaboration

Discretion in high-visibility settings

Job description

Career Area

Communications

Job Description

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

We are seeking a Media & Public Affairs Manager with strong writing and strategic communications skills to position Caterpillar’s innovation story across earned and paid media, thought leadership, executive platforms and external recognition. This role will focus on shaping and amplifying narratives that demonstrate how Caterpillar is solving our customers’ toughest challenges – through customer-driven innovation, strong intellectual property and our talented people.

This new position will go beyond traditional media relations and will partner closely with engineering, technology, HR, legal, segment and communications stakeholders and our government affairs team. This role will be part of the Enterprise Media team and is open to candidates in Irving or Peoria.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Develop a public affairs plan aligned to our corporate narrative that positions Caterpillar’s advanced technology story to key stakeholder audiences

• Develop content focused on innovation and advanced technology leadership, including op‑eds, contributed articles and for owned channels, including web and social, as well as other materials

• Identify and develop opportunities and stories that highlight Caterpillar’s intellectual property, patents and innovation pipeline, as well as highlighting the people behind those stories

• In partnership with legal and our engineering team, lead development of innovation‑focused awards submissions, including researching opportunities, drafting submissions and securing approvals

• Identify speaking and thought leadership opportunities, developing talking points, briefing materials and messaging for executives and subject matter leaders

• Identify and engage with media, influencers and stakeholders to help amplify Caterpillar’s innovation stories

• Draft proactive and reactive statements and supporting materials as needed

• Serve as a general media contact for a variety of Caterpillar-related stories and issues as needed, including supporting events and media engagements as needed

• Collaborate with the enterprise media team to ensure innovation narratives are integrated into broader media and communications efforts

• Measure and present Caterpillar’s results, as well as those of our competitors

Basic Qualifications

• Experience developing public affairs and media strategies across paid, earned and owned channels

• Proven, exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to produce clear, compelling, executive level content

• Experience in crisis communications or issues management; proven ability to remain composed and deliver clear communications under pressure

• Experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs, journalism, or related discipline

• Direct experience working with national media

• Ability to simplify complex or technical topics into clear, appropriate audience-speakers

• Strong collaboration skills and comfort working across functions and with senior leaders

• Sound judgment and discretion, with the ability to operate effectively in sensitive or high‑visibility situations

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to distill complex topics into easily understandable narratives across formats (op-eds, bylined articles, advertorials, speeches and media statement)

• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization

• Familiarity with content strategy

Additional Info

• The primary locations for this position are Irving, TX, or Peoria, IL

• Domestic relocation assistance is available for those who qualify

• Sponsorship is not available

Summary Pay Range

$147,760.00 - $221,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*

• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*

• 401(k) savings plans*

• Health Savings Account (HSA)*

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*

• Health Lifestyle Programs*

• Employee Assistance Program*

• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*

• Career Development*

• Incentive bonus*

• Disability benefits

• Life Insurance

• Parental leave

• Adoption benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

This position requires working onsite five days a week.

Relocation is available for this position.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Posting Dates

August 27, 2026 - September 11, 2026

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.