Senior Manager, Communications - Earned Media

About the role

Can you turn complex business issues into credible stories, trusted media relationships, and clear company perspectives? We are seeking a Senior Manager, Communications - Earned Media to shape proactive outreach, respond to high‑visibility issues, and serve as an official spokesperson across print, digital, broadcast, and emerging channels. Richmond, VA is the preferred location for this position, with a hybrid work model. We will also consider remote candidates whose experience and qualifications closely align with the role’s requirements. In this role, you will develop and implement earned media strategies that support Altria’s Vision, enterprise narrative, business objectives, and company positions. You will counsel business partners, prepare executives for media engagements, manage crisis communications plans, and engage agencies and credible third parties to help build understanding of key issues and company perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop earned media strategies and outreach plans aligned with enterprise priorities, business objectives, stakeholder strategies, and company positions.
• Build trusted reporter relationships and identify proactive opportunities that expand understanding of Altria’s business, priorities, and perspectives.
• Serve as an official spokesperson across print, digital, broadcast, emerging media channels, and related external events.
• Counsel select business areas on media engagement, including issue response, reputation matters, crisis communications, and consumer‑facing public relations.
• Prepare executives for media interviews and external engagements through messaging, Q&A documents, briefing materials, and interview coaching.
• Partner across Corporate Communications and manage external consultants, agencies, and credible third parties supporting earned media plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of communications experience across media relations, public relations, journalism, public affairs, or corporate communications.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience developing earned media strategies, proactive outreach plans, and external communications materials.
• Experience serving as an on‑the‑record spokesperson and preparing senior leaders for media engagements (preferred).
• Experience counseling business partners on sensitive, high‑visibility, reputational, regulatory, or crisis‑related issues.
• Strong judgment, executive presence, relationship‑building skills, and accuracy under pressure.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of print, digital, and broadcast journalism.
• Established reporter or media outlet relationships (preferred).

Benefits

• 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days.
• 37.5‑hour workweek.
• Annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• 401(k) matching from day one.
• Deferred Profit Sharing: annual company contribution equal to 13%–17% of base salary.
• Student loan repayment assistance.
• Professional development stipends for conferences, certifications, or new skills.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and family.
• Paid parental and bonding leave.
• Wellness programs supporting holistic well‑being.
• Paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to community impact.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $132,500.00 – $202,100.00.

Schedule

Hybrid work model: expected in‑office three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday) with remote work Mondays and Fridays; flexible scheduling to support work‑life balance.