Director, External Enterprise Communication

Brunswick Boat Group•Mettawa, IL

About The Position

The Director of External Enterprise Communication is a senior leader responsible for setting and executing Brunswick’s external communications vision along side the Chief Communications Officer. This role drives enterprise-wide strategy and execution for earned media, public relations, and reputation management across the enterprise, while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on external positioning, messaging, and crisis response. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, this role is at the forefront of protecting and promoting Brunswick’s brand and business. It requires a strong strategist who can think long-term while acting decisively in the moment—particularly during high-stakes, high-visibility moments. At Brunswick, we don’t just communicate — we lead through strategy, protect through clarity, and grow through bold storytelling.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Strategic Marketing, or a related field.
8+ years of leadership experience in external communications, public relations, or media strategy.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans at a global or enterprise level.
Proven success in earned media, message development, and issues management.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a keen ability to translate business priorities into compelling narratives.
Executive presence and strong strategic advisory skills; comfortable working directly with the C-suite.
Exceptional strategic thinking with the ability to see the big picture while managing detailed execution.
Deep understanding of media dynamics, crisis response protocols, and brand/reputation positioning.
Collaborative leadership style; able to lead cross-functional efforts with influence and diplomacy.
Composure and sound judgment under pressure.
Visionary strategist and precise executor.
Trusted advisor with high integrity and discretion.
Natural storyteller with a strong sense for brand, tone, and timing.
Proactive and solutions-oriented with a focus on outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Newsroom experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership Develop and lead a comprehensive external communications strategy that aligns with Brunswick’s business goals, brand positioning, and executive priorities.
Create and maintain long-range communications plans with defined goals, audiences, KPIs, and resourcing needs.
Anticipate trends, opportunities, and risks across the media and reputational landscape to inform strategic direction.
Shape and drive narratives that reinforce Brunswick’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, and performance.
Media Relations & Thought Leadership Build and execute a proactive earned media strategy across consumer, trade, business, and innovation outlets.
Identify and develop thought leadership platforms for Brunswick executives across relevant external stages—media, events, and speaking forums.
Cultivate strong relationships with key media contacts, ensuring Brunswick is seen as a go-to source for industry insight and leadership.
Crisis & Reputation Management Serve as the strategic lead for managing reputational risk and high-impact issues, ensuring readiness and rapid response.
Provide counsel to senior leaders during sensitive or crisis situations, including message development, scenario planning, and stakeholder communications.
Partner with legal, HR, operations, and marketing to align on response strategies and protect Brunswick’s reputation.
Messaging & Executive Communications Lead the development of external messaging frameworks that unify corporate priorities with compelling storytelling.
Draft or oversee creation of high-impact communications including press releases, executive remarks, op-eds, media statements, and issue responses.
Ensure all content reflects Brunswick’s voice, values, and strategic narrative.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Oversee communications strategy for major corporate activations (e.g., CES, industry showcases) to ensure alignment with business and brand goals.
Manage strategic corporate partnerships and external communications alliances to expand reach and visibility.
Collaborate closely with internal functions (e.g., Marketing, Government Affairs, Investor Relations) to align external messaging and outreach.
Measurement & Continuous Improvement Define success metrics and KPIs for all external communications initiatives.
Use data, media analytics, and performance insights to continuously refine strategy and drive improvement.
Create regular reports and strategic readouts for senior leadership.