Sr. Director, External Communications

About the role

The Sr. Director of External Communications will lead external storytelling in media and executive communications, focusing on thought leadership, proactive media engagement, and events and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Develop external communication plans including narrative and strategy for corporate milestones with business and trade media.
• Partner with internal HR, Sales, Sustainability, and Customer Direct colleagues on communications to all audiences, including national and local media, retail and home/office delivery customers, and community stakeholders.
• Manage strategy, creation, and execution of written content on owned and select executive social channels.
• Manage Corporate Communications agency of record, coordinating media strategy and communications activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with key business and trade reporters, handling inbound media inquiries and proactive storytelling.
• Stay informed on industry trends in the beverage industry/water space, acting as a thought leader in these dialogues.
• Create sustainability narratives to showcase business focus and progress against company goals.
• Support local teams with messaging for community engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in corporate communications, preferably in a matrixed organization.
• Strong business acumen with a proven track record of driving positive change via effective communications.
• Demonstrated success translating strategy into audience-appropriate, simple, and compelling narratives.
• Ability to develop and maintain a clear understanding of competitive landscape and marketplace dynamics to inform corporate positioning and reputation building.
• Taught media relationships within business, trade, and local media.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Track record placing strategic stories in business and national press.
• Experience managing agencies and serving as a corporate spokesperson in both positive and challenging scenarios.
• Exceptional writer and storyteller; inspiring communicator.
• Deep understanding of media landscape, stakeholder, and influencer dynamics, and digital best practices.
• Experience using data and analytics to drive effective strategy and demonstrate ROI.
• Proven ability to work effectively and build relationships with key stakeholders in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills; trustworthy and credible with ability to navigate challenges and offer solutions.
• Comfort with being an experienced leader and doer.
• Experience managing an agency and directing business priorities.