Public Affairs Manager

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterpillar is seeking a communications professional to lead public affairs and tell the company’s advanced technology story to key stakeholders. You will craft a public affairs plan aligned with our corporate narrative and develop executive-ready content across op-eds, articles, web and social channels.

Collaborating with legal, engineering and enterprise media teams, you will identify opportunities, manage crisis communications, and measure impact against competitors, ensuring consistent,

Qualifications

• Proven writing and editing skills; able to produce executive-level content.
• Experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs or journalism.
• Ability to simplify complex topics into clear messaging.
• Strong collaboration across functions and senior leaders.
• Discretion and sound judgment in high-visibility situations.
• Experience building integrated public affairs and media strategies.
• Ability to distill complex topics into narratives across formats (op-eds, speeches, statements).
• Crisis communications or issues management experience.
• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization.
• Familiarity with content strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop a public affairs plan aligned to the corporate narrative.
• Develop content focused on innovation and technology leadership, including op-eds and owned channels.
• Identify opportunities highlighting intellectual property and the people behind stories.
• Lead innovation-focused awards submissions with legal and engineering teams.
• Identify speaking and thought leadership opportunities with executives.
• Engage media and influencers to amplify Caterpillar’s stories.
• Draft proactive and reactive statements and supporting materials.
• Serve as a media contact for Caterpillar-related stories and events.
• Collaborate with the enterprise media team to integrate innovation narratives.
• Measure and present Caterpillar’s results and competitive benchmarks.

Skills

Executive writing

Communications experience

Simplify complex topics

Cross-functional collaboration

Discretion and judgment

Integrated public affairs

Narrative distillation

Crisis communications

Matrixed organization

Content strategy

Job description

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

Requirements

• Proven, exceptional writing and editing skills; ability to produce clear, compelling, executive level content
• Experience in communications, public relations, corporate affairs, journalism, or a related discipline
• Ability to simplify complex or technical topics into clear, audience-appropriate messaging
• 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
• Experience developing integrated public affairs and media strategies across paid, earned and owned channels
• Ability to distill complex topics into easily understandable narratives across formats (op-eds, bylined articles, advertorials, speeches and media statement)
• Experience in crisis communications or issues management; proven ability to remain composed and deliver clear communications under pressure
• Ability to navigate a complex, matrixed organization
• Familiarity with content strategy