Director, External Communications & Reputation

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life. Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses: 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, covering Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people and is part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.

About the Role

The Director, External Communications & Reputation manages the development and execution of strategic external communications to strengthen brand reputation, manage reputational risk, and support business objectives through media relations, crisis response, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Manage the enterprise and its lines of business’ reputation management strategy, ensuring preparedness and a timely response to high-impact issues and crises.
• Develop and execute crisis communications plans, including scenario planning, playbooks, and real-time response.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, editors, and industry influencers to strengthen media presence.
• Advise senior leadership on reputational risk, corporate positioning, executive visibility, and emerging issues.
• Identify and advance thought leadership opportunities across media, events, and speaking engagements.
• Draft press releases, articles, executive remarks, media statements, and issue responses.
• Anticipate and analyze media and industry trends to inform proactive communications strategies.
• Partner cross-functionally with legal, compliance, risk, government affairs, investor relations, human resources, and business leaders to align messaging and protect reputation.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage, sentiment, and emerging risks; adjust strategies accordingly.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, strategic marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 15 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or crisis communications.
• Experience managing high-profile reputational issues and sensitive situations.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans at enterprise and business levels.
• Experience in earned media, message development, and issues management.
• Skilled in writing, editing, and translating business priorities into compelling narratives.
• Knowledge of media dynamics, crisis response protocols, and reputation management strategies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting executive communications and visibility strategies.
• Experience working in highly regulated industries or complex corporate environments.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid Office or Remote environment.
• May require extended hours during crisis situations or high-profile events.
• Occasional travel for media engagements, industry events, and stakeholder meetings.

Pay

The salary for this position generally ranges between $145,000 - $183,000 annually. Actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote), and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan and individual performance at the Company’s discretion.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and bonus for eligible employees.
• Pension Plan and 401k Match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Disability, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Employee Discounts and Career Training & Development Opportunities.
• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, including Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars.
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service.
• Adoption Assistance and Employee Assistance Program.
• Back-Up Care Program and PTO for Volunteer Hours.
• Employee Matching Gifts Program and Employee Resource Groups.
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs and Employee Recognition Program.
• Referral Bonus Programs.

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees and provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s parent company, Aegon, acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe. It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.