Director, External Corporate Communications

Position Overview

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Director, External Corporate Communications to shape and elevate the company’s corporate reputation and narratives via strategic media engagement, thought-leadership and proactive multi-platform storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and drive a cohesive external narrative strategy that reflects the company’s transformation, growth priorities, and long-term strategy.
• Drive engagement with top-tier business, financial, and consumer media (The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC).
• Develop and drive a corporate editorial calendar in collaboration with key stakeholders to drive proactive messaging and amplification.
• Translate complex business changes—including portfolio evolution, innovation, and operating model shifts—into clear and compelling messaging.
• Oversee global media monitoring and create effective processes on sharing coverage and analytics with senior leadership and the company.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on external communications and positioning.
• Build and evolve tailored executive platforms, with distinct lanes, that reinforce the company’s narrative, strategy and leadership credibility.
• Identify strategic opportunities and moments for senior leaders to reinforce key messaging. i.e. via thought-leadership opportunities, speaking engagements, etc.
• Design and lead media training programs to prepare executives to communicate confidently and consistently across audiences [during a period of change].
• Coach leaders on delivering clear, concise, and compelling messages across a range of formats, including broadcast, print, and digital.
• Ensure alignment and message discipline across all external spokespeople.
• Identify and secure high-impact speaking opportunities at leading business and industry conferences.
• Position executives as credible voices on topics such as consumer trends, innovation, growth strategy, and transformation.
• Develop forward-looking speaker strategies aligned with key business priorities.
• Partner closely with Investor Relations, Marketing, HR, brands and internal/function communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across audiences.
• Align corporate narrative with brand storytelling to reflect a cohesive company story.
• Manage agency partners and external vendors as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field of study
• 10+ years of experience in corporate communications, media relations, or public affairs, ideally within a consumer goods or similarly dynamic industry.
• Proven experience supporting companies through periods of transformation and change.
• Strong track record of securing top-tier media coverage and strategically shaping executive visibility.
• Experience working closely with C-suite leaders on external communications.
• Demonstrated ability to connect business strategy with compelling, credible storytelling.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strategic storyteller: Ability to simplify complexity and articulate a clear narrative of growth and progress
• Change agility: Comfortable operating in an evolving environment with shifting priorities
• Executive presence: Trusted advisor to senior leadership with strong executive presence, judgment and influence
• Audience fluency: Able to communicate effectively to both investor and consumer-facing audiences
• Media expertise: Deep understanding of business, financial, and consumer media landscapes and ability to foster trusted relationships
• Resilience & judgment: Strong instincts in navigating ambiguity, scrutiny, and high-stakes situations

Pay

Base Salary: $140,610-253,080

This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Sales Incentive Bonus (SIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Dividend Program. In addition to a competitive compensation package, permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include:

• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits
• Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support
• Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans

Benefits

• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits
• Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support
• Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans

About the Role

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

Micromarketing employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Director, External Corporate Communications to join the team based at our global headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The position is hybrid eligible (50% onsite per month).