Senior Director, Media Relations

Aon; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global Wellbeing Days

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Aon in Chicago is seeking a Senior Director of Media Relations to lead day-to-day media engagement, build journalist relationships, and guide Aon's external positioning.

You will mentor a proactive media relations team, run the Center of Excellence, and coordinate messaging with Marketing & Communications and external agencies. This role reports to senior leadership and offers a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in communications and a proven track record of producing and leading the creation of compelling, sophisticated communications in support of global business objectives.
• A bachelor's degree.
• Experience with developing and leading national and local media relationships for a publicly traded and global brand, preferably in the professional/financial services, consulting, or technology industry.
• Ability to lead sophisticated, sensitive communication initiatives, carefully navigating each situation to balance individual and organizational agendas.
• Proven track record of advising and building trusted relationships with senior leaders, including C-suite-level executives, to support media relations and external positioning strategies and achieve corporate objectives.
• Crisis and issues management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop journalist relationships, pitch and secure media coverage and respond to media queries to advance commercial objectives and influence positive perceptions of Aon's reputation, thought leadership and social impact.
• Build Aon's share of voice across four key mega trends shaping client need across our Risk Capital and Human Capital capabilities.
• Implement distribution of corporate press releases, media advisories and updates shared via Aon's newsroom.
• Partner with multiple team members developing integrated, aligned messaging plans and content articulating our firm's growth strategy, brand strategy, progress with key initiatives and thought-leadership perspectives.
• Lead a global Center of Excellence for media engagement to drive an aligned and coordinated approach to proactive and reactive media relations and issues management throughout the firm, including Aon's Marketing & Communications organization and agency relationships.
• Lead Center of Excellence media monitoring and reporting platforms allowing Communications teams throughout Marketing & Communications to generate consistent reports on coverage (trends, share of voice, sentiment, etc.), social media conversation and other indicators that enable us to articulate the impact we drive and find opportunities for refining our approach.
• Develop and lead a program preparing key leaders and others throughout the firm to participate in media interviews and public speaking opportunities.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis management

Executive communication

Storytelling

Writing & editing

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

As part of an industry-leading global communications team, you will help our firm share stories with external stakeholders and grow awareness and understanding of how Aon shapes decisions for the better - to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive, diverse team, and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

Communications plays a critical role in shaping perceptions within Aon and outside our firm about how we help clients make better decisions and deliver positive outcomes for colleagues, clients and shareholders. We're a team that works hard, supports each other and has fun while making an impact, and we're looking to further build on the senior talent within our global communications team.

Aon's Senor Director, media relations will be responsible for day-to-day media engagement - maintaining strong relationships with tier one, business and trade reporters - serve as a key storyteller and spokesperson for the firm, lead Aon's social media strategy and execution, and lead and mentor a proactive, strategic, resourceful media relations team. This Aon leader will also lead a global Center of Excellence for media relations and external positioning to further develop and align standard methodologies across the firm.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop journalist relationships, pitch and secure media coverage and respond to media queries to advance commercial objectives and influence positive perceptions of Aon's reputation, thought leadership and social impact.
• Build Aon's share of voice across four key mega trends shaping client need across our Risk Capital and Human Capital capabilities.
• Implement distribution of corporate press releases, media advisories and updates shared via Aon's newsroom.
• Partner with multiple team members developing integrated, aligned messaging plans and content articulating our firm's growth strategy, brand strategy, progress with key initiatives and thought-leadership perspectives.
• Lead a global Center of Excellence for media engagement to drive an aligned and coordinated approach to proactive and reactive media relations and issues management throughout the firm, including Aon's Marketing & Communications organization and agency relationships.
• Lead Center of Excellence media monitoring and reporting platforms allowing Communications teams throughout Marketing & Communications to generate consistent reports on coverage (trends, share of voice, sentiment, etc.), social media conversation and other indicators that enable us to articulate the impact we drive and find opportunities for refining our approach.
• Develop and lead a program preparing key leaders and others throughout the firm to participate in media interviews and public speaking opportunities.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

Experience/Credentials:

• 10+ years in communications and a proven track record of producing and leading the creation of compelling, sophisticated communications in support of global business objectives.
• A bachelor's degree.
• Experience with developing and leading national and local media relationships for a publicly traded and global brand, preferably in the professional/financial services, consulting, or technology industry.
• Ability to lead sophisticated, sensitive communication initiatives, carefully navigating each situation to balance individual and organizational agendas.
• Proven track record of advising and building trusted relationships with senior leaders, including C-suite-level executives, to support media relations and external positioning strategies and achieve corporate objectives.
• Crisis and issues management experience preferred.

Characteristics:

• Creative problem solver with a desire and ability to seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ability and willingness to perform both strategic and tactical elements of the role with a steadfast commitment to quality and detail.
• A principled commitment to quality and detail.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented self-starter with a sense of urgency and strong desire to work entrepreneurially.
• Team-oriented with a strong sense of commitment to colleagues and internal clients, projecting a positive attitude and excelling at encouraging and coaching team members.
• A leader who projects a positive demeanor and excels at encouraging and coaching team members.
• Experience and comfort level leading through influence and helping leaders arrive at consensus.

Skills:

• Exceptional writing and editing skills with proven expertise using different styles and "voice" to reflect the nature of the individual, audience and message.
• Ability to communicate sophisticated concepts simply and visually.
• Equally comfortable telling the story in "words" and "numbers."
• Exceptional organizational skills, including an ability to run multiple priorities and projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to complete programs with speed, accuracy and efficiency.
• Experience using traditional owned and earned channels, including multi-media and social media.

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage a diverse workforce. Plus, our agile, inclusive environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two "Global Wellbeing Days" each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions, but we also recognize that flexibility goes beyond just the place of work... and we are all for it. We call this Smart Working!

Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.

Aon values an innovative, diverse workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Aon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital, domestic partner status, or other legally protected status.

We welcome applications from all and provide individuals with disabilities with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application, interview process and to perform essential job functions once onboard. If you would like to learn more about the reasonable accommodations we provide, email [e-mail]

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The salary range for this position (intended for U.S. applicants) is $150,000-$200,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

This position is eligible to participate in Aon's annual bonus incentive plans in addition to base salary. The amount of any bonus varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan.

Aon offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and regular part-time colleagues, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; an employee stock purchase plan; consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon's discretion; medical, dental and vision insurance, various types of leaves of absence, paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year, 15 days of paid vacation per year, paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts, employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; optional personal insurance policies, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.

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