Senior Manager, Communications - Earned Media

About the role

The Senior Manager, Communications – Earned Media will shape proactive outreach, respond to high‑visibility issues, and serve as an official spokesperson across print, digital, broadcast, and emerging channels. The role develops earned media strategies that support Altria’s Vision, enterprise narrative, business objectives, and company positions; counsels business partners, prepares executives for media engagements, manages crisis communications plans, and engages agencies and credible third parties to 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.
• Strong knowledge of print, digital, and broadcast journalism; established reporter or media outlet relationships preferred.
• 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.

Skills

• Strong judgment
• Executive presence
• Relationship‑building skills
• Accuracy under pressure

Benefits

• Hybrid work model: in‑person collaboration three days a week (Tuesday‑Thursday) with remote flexibility Mondays and Fridays.
• 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 contribution of 13%–17% of base salary.
• Student loan repayment assistance and professional development stipends for conferences or certifications.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and family.
• Paid parental and bonding leave.
• Wellness programs supporting whole‑being.
• Paid volunteer days.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $132,500.00 – $202,100.00, based on experience, knowledge, and qualifications.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule: three days in‑office (Tuesday‑Thursday) and two days remote (Monday‑Friday) with flexibility.