Senior Communications Manager

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challengeand Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don’t take our word for it. As a U.S. News & World Report Best Company to Work For in 2024, we're obsessive about the employee experience. We are among the top 20% being declared “Best” of our industry based on six critical factors that are important to employee wellbeing, like quality of pay, benefits, work life balance and more.

The Company

Cars.com Inc. (NYSE:CARS) is a trusted audience-powered and data-driven technology platform that simplifies buying and selling cars. The flagship Cars.com marketplace connects millions of consumers to dealerships across the U.S., powering the car buying experience with AI shopping tools, comprehensive vehicle reviews and content, and personalized market insights. Our interconnected eco-system of products enables dealers and OEMs to sell more cars by efficiently leveraging our marketplace, dealer websites, trade and appraisal tools, wholesale and proprietary in-market media solutions.

The Role

Cars Commerce is seeking a Senior Communications Manager who manages the company’s public relations efforts across corporate, B2C and B2B. This role is a fit for a strategic and creative thinker with a proactive mindset who can operate at an accelerated pace and execute cross functionally to tell connected stories about the company, its products and its people. The Senior Communications Manager will be responsible for building the brand awareness and reputation of Cars Commerce locally and nationally, and the execution of the company’s message platform. This individual will manage the development, delivery, and measurement of corporate communications and public relations activities. 

The candidate should have strong national media relationships in place at top-tier outlets to effectively guide the business narrative in the right media outlets at the right time, a solid understanding of how the media and PR landscapes are changing due to AI and social-first storytelling, excellent written and verbal communications skills, and a proven ability to consistently make sound judgments.

This person will report to the VP of Communications.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute public relations plans and strategies that will enhance the brand awareness and reputation of Cars Commerce in the eyes of consumers, our customers, and our shareholders.

• Oversee all media relations efforts, including building and maintaining strong relationships with key national and local media contacts across corporate, B2C and B2B as well as social news influencers.

• Demonstrate creative ideation and thinking to develop compelling, high-impact stories and communications campaigns.

• Develop and refine the company's messaging platform, ensuring consistent and accurate communication.

• Identify and curate data-driven news stories from the company’s proprietary data, including monthly industry insights reporting. 

• Initiate creative campaigns, programs and me