Senior Communications Leader — Remote & Media Strategy

Stride, Inc.; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 79,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Benefits package

Job summary

Stride, Inc. in the United States seeks a Communications Senior Manager to drive media, brand, and executive communications across pods. You will lead high‑visibility programs, shape strategy, and prepare executives to communicate under pressure.

This hands‑on role requires strong media instincts, strategic influence, and the ability to manage across multiple workstreams without direct authority. Collaboration with pod leads and external agencies is essential.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years in corporate communications across media strategy, internal comms, and crisis comms
• Demonstrated success designing large-scale media programs with measurable outcomes
• Experience with AI/earned media implications for brand visibility
• Experience with regulated sectors (education) preferred
• Publicly traded company experience a plus
• Experience managing external agencies and cross-functional teams
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree a plus
• Willing to travel up to 20% and clear background check

Responsibilities

• Cross-Pod Strategy and Roadmap Leadership – Own and drive the Corporate Communications roadmap across the Media, Channels, and Enablement pods.
• Partner with pod leads on annual planning, campaign calendars, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Media and Brand Strategy – Shape national media and brand strategy that elevates Stride across education, consumer, and trade media.
• Guide how the team builds reputation across earned media, owned channels, and emerging surfaces like AI and generative search.
• Prepare executives and subject matter experts to be credible, confident spokespeople.
• Crisis and Issues Communications – Lead crisis and issues communications planning, response, and recovery in partnership with the Senior Director.
• Serve as the senior communications decision‑maker during crisis situations when the Senior Director is unavailable.
• Team and Agency Leadership – Lead without direct authority: set direction for pod members on cross‑team initiatives, hold people accountable to deadlines and quality, and develop the team's capability along the way.
• Manage external PR agencies and consultants to ensure their work aligns with strategy and delivers measurable impact.

Skills

Strategic communicator

Media instincts

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Cross-pod collaboration

Agency management

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Advanced degree a plus

Job description

Stride, Inc. in the United States seeks a Communications Senior Manager to drive media, brand, and executive communications across pods. You will lead high‑visibility programs, shape strategy, and prepare executives to communicate under pressure.

This hands‑on role requires strong media instincts, strategic influence, and the ability to manage across multiple workstreams without direct authority. Collaboration with pod leads and external agencies is essential.