Senior Director, External Communications & Media Relations

US Foods; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSU package

Annual incentive plan bonus

Health insurance

Pre-tax spending accounts

Job summary

US Foods is seeking a Director of External Communications & Media Relations to lead enterprise-wide external communications, including media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. The role partners with the CEO and senior leaders to shape narratives, protect reputation, and align messaging with corporate priorities.

The position is hybrid with three onsite days per week, overseeing agency partners and ensuring timely, accurate communication across channels.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
• Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong track record of managing complex issues and reputational risk in a large, matrixed organization.
• Expertise in managing external public relations or communications agencies.
• Experience counseling and engaging with executive leadership and serving as a trusted communications advisor.

Responsibilities

• Partner with CEO and senior leadership to align external communication strategies with enterprise goals.
• Develop integrated communication plans that support business goals, operations and brand positioning.
• Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, media engagement and community outreach.
• Lead the development and execution of enterprise media relations strategy and execute interviews with executives.
• Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders across print, online and broadcast.
• Oversee media relations events centered around key financial and strategy announcements.
• Develop proactive storytelling strategies to elevate brand visibility and reinforce corporate priorities.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson and media advisor for the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media targets.
• Oversee media monitoring, messaging consistency, and reputation tracking across channels.
• Lead external public relations agency and budget.
• Lead issues management external communication strategies and mitigate reputational risks.
• Develop crisis communication plans with leadership and legal teams.
• Provide rapid response communications during high-impact events.
• Ensure clear communication across stakeholders during crises.
• Support externally facing community affairs strategies for media awareness.
• Oversee external public relations agency.
• Foster accountability, agility and proactive communication.
• Build capabilities in storytelling and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead and participate in senior-level cross functional teams.
• Other duties assigned by manager.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Executive communications

Stakeholder relations

Team leadership

Strategic communications

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business or related field

Tools

Media monitoring tools

Job description

US Foods is seeking a Director of External Communications & Media Relations to lead enterprise-wide external communications, including media relations, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. The role partners with the CEO and senior leaders to shape narratives, protect reputation, and align messaging with corporate priorities.

The position is hybrid with three onsite days per week, overseeing agency partners and ensuring timely, accurate communication across channels.