Senior Director, External Communications & Brand

cushingterrell; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead the firm’s external messaging, media relations, and crisis communications. You will shape strategy, mentor a team, manage vendors, and align leadership around key announcements and brand voice across channels.

The role includes directing execution, shaping industry positioning, and partnering with internal teams to ensure a consistent voice while overseeing budget and performance metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in external communications, marketing, or a related field with team leadership.
• Ability to develop firm-wide external communications strategy and align leadership around messaging.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication; media representation experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, hire, and develop the external communications team, setting staffing and mentoring members.
• Develop and own the firm's external communications strategy and secure leadership sign-off.
• Direct public relations and media relations, oversee vendors and agencies.
• Own executive and crisis communications, advising on major announcements and sensitive matters.
• Lead reputation and issues management; monitor external perception and trends.
• Prepare executives for interviews and media engagements through training.
• Shape industry positioning with rankings, awards, and speaking engagements; finalize brand voice.
• Manage external communications budget and report performance to leadership.

Skills

Team leadership

Public relations

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Brand management

Mentoring

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field

Job description

Cushing Terrell is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead the firm’s external messaging, media relations, and crisis communications. You will shape strategy, mentor a team, manage vendors, and align leadership around key announcements and brand voice across channels.

The role includes directing execution, shaping industry positioning, and partnering with internal teams to ensure a consistent voice while overseeing budget and performance metrics.