Director, External Communications

Bring Your Amazing Self to Work

At Macy's, Inc. we're on a mission to create a brighter future with bold representation for all. This is our Mission Every One. We know that each person here is unique. So we respect and invest in each individual to create growth, pride, and satisfaction. If we are able to bring our whole selves to work, it translates into a more abundant and wider array of ideas and energy for all to benefit from. Our success will be built on amazing colleagues, working together.

 

Job Overview

The Director, External Communications for Macy’s, Inc. is a leader with 12-years minimum of experience in communications or related field. The role is reserved for a tenured individual who has a proven track record of being able to pivot into new industries and sectors seamlessly. This person can organically flex between corporate-level priorities and nameplate initiatives and can deliver on strategy development, content development, pitching/responding to media, reputation/issues management, consumer public relations, crisis communications, thought leadership, and corporate and executive positioning. 

The Director is an avid collaborator and partners well with other communications experts along with cross-functionally. This individual can develop and implement relevant strategies and tactics for communications including media training, speaking engagements, spokespeople positioning, recognition, awards, etc. 

This person is energetic, highly motivated, conscientious, and detail-oriented – a driven leader who takes initiative in developing new ideas and solving issues. This candidate is a high-potential executive who displays strong leadership skills, is proactive and aggressive in driving programs from start to finish and is dedicated to championing the company's business objectives and delivering performance results. 

As a passionate storyteller, this person embraces flexing to engage with a range of priority stakeholders (i.e. investors, B2B, partners, and potential corporate colleagues) on key company narratives, initiatives, and priorities as part of a year-round communications strategy. 

This role reports to the Vice President, External Communications. 

This position is hybrid, based in New York. 

 

What You Will Do

This Director role includes, but are not limited to, the following aspects: 

• Flex between protecting and preserving corporate reputation for Macy’s, Inc. and garnering consumer PR for Macy’s to establish greater brand love and relevancy (and alignment) at the national, regional, and local level.
• As a senior communicator, this individual will be a company spokesperson.
• Responsible for providing strategic communications counsel based on robust knowledge of internal and external environments and developing/ implementing effective communications strategy and plans with their team and the larger department to support company goals and major programs.
• Cultivating strong relationships with all levels of leadership internally and externally, including agencies, partners, vendors, community organizations, key media, influencers, etc.
• Contributing to key internal communications channels such as the daily media report, Now Trending newsletter, colleague portal and Macy’s, Inc. social media.
• Effective people leader and helps develop and mentor External Communications direct reports and junior staff.
• Supporting special projects across External Communications pillars and in markets as needed.
• Supporting the wider External Communications team with on-site execution of communications plans in New York City during select holidays and major initiatives inclusive of select nights, weekends, in support of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, Macy’s Flower Show, Macy's Holiday events, Black Friday, etc.

 

Skills You Will Need

Strategic Communication Skills

• Expert Writing and Language Proficiency: Ability to craft and edit communications plans, press materials, executive messaging, and presentations with precision and clarity.
• Digital and Social Media Savvy: Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms, with a passion for leveraging these tools for corporate communications.
• Crisis Communications and Reputation Management: Extensive experience in handling high-pressure situations, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate crisis communications effectively.

Leadership and Collaboration

• People Leadership and Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop