Senior Manager - Public Relations and Executive Communications

8901 - Corp Office West Crk - 12800 Tuckahoe Creek Parkway, Richmond, Virginia, 23238

CarMax, the way your career should be! 

About this job

The Senior Manager, Public Relations and Executive Communications develops and executes proactive public relations and thought leadership strategies to elevate CarMax senior leaders and strategic business initiatives with priority stakeholders. This individual serves as a trusted communications advisor to senior leaders and other selected spokespersons, and oversees communications strategy and execution for company announcements, top tier media opportunities, national conferences, and investor relations communications. This position serves as strategic communications counsel for complex business issues and at times provides crisis/issues management communications support.

Work Location and Arrangement: This role will be based out of the CarMax Home Office in Richmond, VA and have a Hybrid work arrangement

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.

What you will do – Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and advance the executive communications and corporate PR strategy to meet CarMax’s strategic priorities, align with emerging media trends, and evolve with stakeholder expectations.
• Courageously influence across the company to elevate CarMax’s corporate reputation and executive visibility. Recommend strategic communications approaches that align with business priorities and stakeholder expectations.
• Oversee internal resources and PR agency teams to identify, propose, secure and support senior leaders with top-tier media interviews and speaking engagements on CarMax business strategy and key differentiators.
• Initiate and oversee a regular cadence of media outreach to high-value national media outlets and targeted regional outlets to drive top tier earned media placements.
• Support in the development of executive presentations that effectively communicate CarMax’s strategy, performance, and leadership vision to external audiences, with close attention to both visuals & delivery.
• Independently provide spokesperson training and communications coaching for CarMax leaders to hone their messages, improve their communications and media skills, and ensure they effectively represent CarMax.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the PR and Investor Relations teams and lead financial media relations with high attention to ensuring differentiated, accurate and fair news media reporting.
• Assist in the development of strategic IR communications, including quarterly earnings conference call scripts, annual report, annual shareholder letter, analyst day presentations, and other communications materials as prioritized.
• Lead PR strategies and execution to support other business areas to achieve key goals, including positioning our B2B offerings with automotive dealers, and elevating our strategic investments and partnerships with other companies in the auto ecosystem.  
• Partner closely with the senior manager responsible for internal executive communications to leverage leaders to inform key audiences and promote the brand, with aligned, impactful and cohesive narratives.
• Oversee and develop a strong spokesperson bench that supports the company’s diversified business.
• Leverage earned, owned, and social media strategies to amplify company announcements and news coverage.
• Provide leaders with guidance to help them cultivate a strong social media presence and elevate their executive visibility.
• Influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to align messaging and cadence, help ensure consistent execution across external channels, including media interviews, investor communications, and other thought leadership platforms.
• Oversee the company’s corporate communications PR agency in support of these initiatives to be an extension of the internal team, ensuring quality and effectiveness of work product.
• Lead and empower teams by setting clear expectations, removing barriers, and ensuring resources are aligned to deliver high-impact corporate communications.
• Build relationships with key national media and serve as a company spokesperson.

Purpose of the role

This role is critical to positioning CarMax a customer experience leader and innovator, an innovative corporate leader, an employer of choice, and a valuable business partner to other dealers. The ideal candidate is a communications leader with expertise in business strategy communications, corporate financials, and communications/media training. They will have demonstrated experience engaging and influencing senior leaders on key communications oppo