Senior Manager-External Communications

About the role

The Senior Manager-External Communications is responsible for developing and executing the company's external communications strategy, ensuring clear, consistent, and compelling messaging that advances business objectives, strengthens the company's reputation, and supports its long-term growth strategy. This position serves as a strategic communications advisor to executive leadership and leads the company's external communications function, including media relations, project communications, crisis communications, executive messaging, brand management, creative strategy, advertising, and digital communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's external communications strategy to strengthen Tallgrass' brand, enhance its reputation, and increase awareness among key stakeholders.
• Serve as the steward of the Tallgrass brand, ensuring consistent messaging and visual identity across all external communications.
• Monitor communications performance and recommend strategies to improve engagement, visibility, and reputation.
• Lead the development of external communications materials, including news releases, talking points, fact sheets, presentations, executive messaging, and project communications.
• Support capital projects by developing communications plans and materials tailored to key stakeholder audiences.
• Partner with Government & Public Affairs and other key internal leaders across the enterprise to produce high-quality external communications materials.
• Oversee Tallgrass' digital presence, ensuring the website, social media channels, and other external platforms remain current, engaging, and aligned with business priorities.
• Manage day-to-day media relations, including responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, and supporting proactive media engagement.
• Plan and execute advertising campaigns across digital, print, television, radio, and out-of-home (OOH) channels, including creative development, media placement, and campaign evaluation.
• Manage external agencies, creative partners, media-buying firms, photographers, videographers, and other communications vendors.
• Oversee the company store, branded merchandise program, and promotional materials.
• Manage communications budgets, contracts, and vendor performance to ensure high-quality execution and efficient use of resources.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Public Relations, or a related discipline.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of communications experience.
• Proven experience leading internal and external communications within a complex, regulated organization.
• Demonstrated success in reputation management, media relations, and crisis communications.
• Experience managing creative and communications consultants and vendors.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated superior leadership outcomes in the areas of leading self, leading others, and leading an organization.
• Proven ability to drive positive change and continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of successful, innovative leadership and delivery of performance results.
• Demonstrated success in managing large departmental budgets.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Strong analysis, decision making, and logic skills.
• Self-motivated with a high level of initiative.

Benefits

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career