Director External Communications & Media Relations (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote)

US Foods•Rosemont, IL

5d•$125,000 - $195,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director External Communications & Media Relations promotes, shapes, and protects the organization’s reputation through strategic external communications, including media relations, crisis communications, and community and stakeholder relations. The role leads enterprise-wide external communications strategies to enhance brand trust, mitigate reputational risk, and strengthen relationships with media, industry stakeholders, and other external audiences. This hybrid position combines three onsite days per week with the remainder remote. It partners with the CEO, executive and senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to align communications with enterprise goals and business priorities. The role also leads media strategy and engagement, issues and crisis communications, reputation tracking, and external agency relationships. It supervises 1–3 direct reports at specialist and/or manager level.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations, or public affairs.
Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong track record managing complex issues and reputational risk in a large, matrixed organization.
Expertise managing external public relations or communications agencies.
Experience counseling and engaging executive leadership and serving as a trusted communications advisor.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business, or a related field, or equivalent related work experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in regulated, industrial, logistics, food, or consumer-facing industries.
Experience managing national media relationships and high-visibility corporate narratives.
Background in issues-heavy environments, such as supply chain, labor relations, operations, safety, or regulatory contexts.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO, executive and senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to align external communication strategies with enterprise goals and business priorities.
Develop integrated communication plans supporting business goals, operational initiatives, and brand positioning.
Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, media engagement, and community outreach.
Lead and execute enterprise media relations strategy to proactively shape external narratives.
Conduct media interviews with executives and senior leaders across print, online, and broadcast outlets.
Execute media relations events for key financial and strategy announcements and strategic company investments.
Develop proactive storytelling strategies that elevate brand visibility and reinforce corporate priorities.
Serve as a primary organizational spokesperson and media advisor.
Build and maintain relationships with key media targets.
Oversee media monitoring, messaging consistency, and reputation tracking across channels.
Lead and direct the external public relations agency and related budget.
Lead external issues-management communications, including early identification, assessment, and mitigation of reputational risks.
Develop and execute crisis communication plans in collaboration with senior leadership and legal teams.
Provide rapid-response communications support during emerging issues and high-impact events.
Ensure clear, consistent, and timely communication with internal and external stakeholders during crises.
Support externally facing community affairs strategies that drive media awareness.
Foster accountability, agility, and proactive communication.
Build capabilities in storytelling, stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and strategic communications.
Lead and participate in senior-level cross-functional teams.
Perform other duties assigned by the manager.
Supervise 1–3 direct reports, including specialist- and/or manager-level employees.