External Communications Manager

CCC Intelligent Solutions•Chicago, IL

1d•$94,890 - $140,000

About The Position

The External Communications Manager helps bring CCC’s external communications strategy to life through content development, media relations, thought leadership and announcement execution. Working closely with the Director, External Communications, the role translates business priorities, research, product innovations and industry insights into stories that strengthen CCC’s reputation and visibility across the insurance and automotive ecosystem. The manager owns defined projects end-to-end and develops materials that support the communications team. The role turns announcements, research, executive appearances and media opportunities into coordinated programs across earned, owned, executive, employee and partner channels. Success is measured by the impact of stories and their reach among audiences that matter to CCC. The position creates communications content, supports announcements and media relations, develops leadership and subject-matter-expert visibility, manages projects and agency workstreams, monitors industry and media activity, and tracks communications results. A video interview is required; interviews are transcribed and retained. Candidates may not use generative AI or automated assistance during interviews unless the interview team explicitly permits it for a specific exercise.

Requirements

5 to 8 years of experience in communications, media relations, public relations or a related field.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, including the ability to draft original content, adapt to different executive voices, and use AI thoughtfully while maintaining accuracy, originality and quality.
Strong news judgment and storytelling instincts, with the ability to identify compelling angles, connect business priorities to timely conversations, and translate complex or technical information into clear, audience-appropriate communications.
Experience supporting media relations, developing pitches and building relationships with trade, business or B2B reporters.
Experience developing executive communications and visibility content, including thought leadership, speaking support, social content and briefing materials.
Strong project management skills and a record of moving multiple workstreams from concept through execution in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.
Sound judgment when navigating sensitive, legal, regulatory or reputational considerations, including knowing when to seek input or escalate an issue.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in insurance, financial services, technology or another highly regulated industry is strongly preferred.
Experience communicating about technology, AI, software or other complex B2B products and topics.
Experience turning earned media, research, executive appearances and other communications moments into compelling content across owned, social and emerging channels.
Experience supporting issues or crisis communications, including drafting statements, media responses and talking points under tight timelines.

Responsibilities

Create press releases, media pitches, newsroom stories, bylined articles, Q&As, talking points, briefing materials and social content, using strong news value, proof points, and executive or customer perspectives.
Tailor messages for insurer, repairer, automaker and consumer audiences while protecting CCC’s position as a neutral partner across the network.
Keep newsroom media resources, including the company fact sheet and media kit, up to date.
Support communications plans for launches, partnerships, events and other business milestones with the Director and PR agency, including press materials, media lists, embargo coordination and launch-day plans.
Turn CCC research and insights into newsworthy stories and extend their reach through earned, owned and shared channels.
Manage routine announcements, including packaged product updates and partner press releases, through Legal, Investor Relations and Product approvals.
Lead amplification planning and execution for key announcements, research, speaking engagements, podcasts and media opportunities across executive, newsroom, employee, social and partner channels.
Track coverage and report results for key announcements; set expectations with executives before launch and share outcomes afterward.
Build relationships with insurance, collision repair and automotive trade reporters; develop pitches, coordinate inbound inquiries and identify timely media opportunities.
Monitor news, industry trends and competitor activity to identify story angles and connect CCC’s business priorities to current reporter conversations.
Manage the media relations inbox, coverage tracker and media lists.
Identify CCC subject matter experts with perspectives that can strengthen the company’s external voice, and develop their ideas into authentic social and thought leadership content.
Develop visibility opportunities and content for executives and subject matter experts, including thought leadership, leadership platforms and forums, speaking opportunities, contributed articles and social content, in partnership with the Director and marketing stakeholders.
Prepare and support executives and subject matter experts for interviews, speeches, panels, podcasts and briefings.
Extend executive and subject matter expert perspectives and appearances, CCC research and earned media into high-impact owned and social content.
Own selected projects from planning through execution, keeping workstreams organized, stakeholders informed and deliverables on schedule.
Identify award and speaking opportunities that showcase CCC’s business, products, people and customer successes; manage the awards and speaking calendar and develop submissions with internal teams and the PR agency.
Partner with CCC’s PR agency on day-to-day execution, maintain the communications punch list, track deliverables, opportunities and outstanding actions, and help move workstreams forward against priorities set by the Director.
Monitor media, competitor and industry activity for storytelling opportunities and emerging reputational issues; support issues and crisis response as directed.
Track coverage, awards, share of voice and message pull-through, using insights to strengthen future communications.