Manager, External Communications

About the role

The Manager, External Communications plays a crucial role in supporting external communications initiatives that advance enterprise priorities and strengthen McKesson’s reputation. Reporting to the Senior Director, External and Policy Communications, this position engages with key partners, builds and executes social media strategies, and provides operational support to enhance McKesson’s communications tools and processes.

Responsibilities

• Engage with key partners, including Government Affairs, business unit marketing teams, and other stakeholders, to identify and activate opportunities, including campaigns, thought leadership, events, and earned media to share McKesson’s corporate narrative with priority audiences and strengthen the company’s brand image and reputation.
• Build and execute social media strategies that strengthen McKesson’s reputation and reinforce its corporate narrative.
• Build and deliver communication materials for external audiences, using technology to streamline content creation and review.
• Provide proactive recommendations on media engagement and respond to media inquiries with approved statements in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Strengthen McKesson’s advanced AI-powered communications tools and platforms in real-time.
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive communications tasks and pilot new solutions to enhance team productivity.
• Optimize press releases to align with our corporate narrative and ensure they are easily discoverable through AI-powered search and Large Language Model (LLM) tools.
• Lead training and maintenance of AI-powered media intelligence and monitoring tools to enhance insights and responsiveness.
• Occasional availability outside normal working hours may be required.

Requirements

• 4+ years of broad communications experience across a wide range of disciplines.
• Proficient with digital tools and emerging technologies, including AI and the creation of agents, to more swiftly complete communication deliverables and repeatable tasks.
• Demonstrated experience in external communications, including the ability to craft clear, accurate messaging for external audiences.
• Experienced in media relations, including developing newsworthy storylines, preparing spokespeople, building reporter relationships, and coordinating proactive and reactive press engagement.
• Skilled in organizing logistics, managing timelines, and ensuring successful execution of campaigns and activities.
• Outstanding writing and proofreading skills.
• Proficient in social media management, including developing strategies, creating content, engaging audiences, and analyzing performance across platforms.
• Understanding of the policy landscape to inform messaging and support strategic decision-making.
• Self-directed and able to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams and build productive relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams, build productive relationships, and champion AI adoption.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in communications, journalism, business, or a related field.

Skills

• Proficient with digital tools and emerging technologies, including AI and the creation of agents, to more swiftly complete communication deliverables and repeatable tasks.
• Demonstrated experience in external communications, including the ability to craft clear, accurate messaging for external audiences.
• Experienced in media relations, including developing newsworthy storylines, preparing spokespeople, building reporter relationships, and coordinating proactive and reactive press engagement.
• Skilled in organizing logistics, managing timelines, and ensuring successful execution of campaigns and activities.
• Outstanding writing and proofreading skills.
• Proficient in social media management, including developing strategies, creating content, engaging audiences, and analyzing performance across platforms.
• Understanding of the policy landscape to inform messaging and support strategic decision-making.
• Self-directed and able to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams and build productive relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams, build productive relationships, and champion AI adoption.

Benefits

We not only care about the wellbeing of our patients, customers and the communities we serve — we care about you. That’s why we provide our employees with a comprehensive support system for all aspects of Your Care: physical, emotional, financial and social.