Director of Strategic Communications

Compensation Range:

$117,500.00 - $185,000.00 Annual Salary

Job Description Summary:

Oversee and direct team responsible for media relations, public relations, digital media, events management, internal/employee communications, visual communications, and brand management.

Job Description:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Ensure that strategies are aligned with the company's overall objectives for both maintaining and growing market share, geographic or market penetration, and brand visibility, recognition, and relevance, with a focus on elevating and championing the firm’s position as an industry expert, as well as enhancing and elevating the employee experience internally.
• Provide strategic guidance and direction to the External and Internal Communications teams, ensuring their activities support the company's goals.

Alignment with Business Objectives

• Develop and oversee the overarching internal and external communications strategy and ensure alignment with the company's vision, mission, and business objectives in support of support national, regional and divisional needs.
• Collaborate with regional and divisional leaders to tailor national communication strategies to local markets.
• Ensure internal and external communication strategies are aligned to present a cohesive message.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the entire Strategic Communications team, including the external communications, internal communications, and events management functions.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Crisis Communication

• Participate as part of the firm’s Crisis Communication Task Force; situation analysis, message development, monitoring and response, media inquiries, internal communication, and reputation management.
• Develop and implement crisis communication plans to effectively manage and mitigate reputational risks during times of crisis or challenging situations.
• Develop and implement internal crisis communication plans to keep employees informed during emergencies or significant events; ensure timely and accurate information is provided to employees to maintain trust and stability.
• Manage third party crisis communications specialists, as applicable or required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders, including colleagues/peers, executives, regional and divisional leadership, department heads, etc.
• Serve as the liaison between the Strategic Communications team and other departments to ensure cohesive messaging and strategy.

Reputation Management

• Oversee the development and execution of initiatives to enhance and protect the company's reputation.
• Monitor and address public perception and media sentiment, making adjustments to strategies as necessary.

Strategic Partnerships and Alliances

• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and alliances with industry organizations, influencers, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee the management of external PR firms and consultants (as applicable), ensuring they deliver value and align with the company's goals.

Thought Leadership and Executive Positioning

• Develop and execute strategies to position company executives as thought leaders in the industry.
• Collaborate with executives to create and promote thought leadership content, including articles, speeches, and media appearances.

Budgeting and Resource Allocation

• Develop and manage the Strategic Communications budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize ROI.
• Oversee the performance measurement and reporting of PR activities, making data-driven decisions to optimize strategies.

Measurement and Evaluation

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies and campaigns.
• Use metrics and feedback to continuously improve communications efforts.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices, integrating innovative approaches into the company's communication strategies.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Communications team, encouraging new ideas and approaches.

Other responsibilities as assigned

MINIMUM SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field is required.
• Advanced degrees or certifications such as a master's in communication, business administration, or related