Manager, External Communications
About The Position
The Manager, External Communications will help drive and execute communications programs that enhance McCormick’s reputation, elevate executive visibility, and support key business priorities across global markets. Reporting to the Director, External Corporate Communications, this role focuses on media relations, executive communications, thought leadership, and speaking engagement management. The successful candidate will bring strong writing and communication skills, an understanding of the evolving media landscape, relationship-building capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. The role partners with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to develop relevant narratives and consistent messaging, manages media and executive communications activities, and coordinates speaking opportunities from evaluation and content development through logistics and event preparation. It also oversees agency and vendor work as needed and tracks communications performance and impact.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or business.
- 4–5 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences and channels.
- Experience supporting media relations programs and working with journalists.
- Experience developing executive communications and thought leadership content.
- Strong understanding of the global media landscape, including traditional, digital, social, and emerging media.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, complex projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and a consistent commitment to quality.
- Strategic thinking and sound judgment.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Media savvy and news awareness.
- Relationship building and influence.
- Executive presence and professionalism.
- Collaboration and teamwork.
- Agility and adaptability.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Results orientation.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a global corporate environment or public relations agency.
- Experience supporting C-suite or senior executive communications.
- Familiarity with media monitoring and analytics platforms.
- Experience managing speaking engagements, conferences, and industry events.
- Experience managing agency partners, external vendors, or defined communications workstreams.
Responsibilities
- Lead the execution of proactive media relations strategies that advance the company’s brand, reputation, and business objectives.
- Develop and edit press releases, media pitches, fact sheets, messaging documents, Q&A materials, and other external communications content.
- Manage incoming media inquiries and coordinate timely, aligned responses with internal stakeholders and external communications leadership.
- Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, industry influencers, and media outlets.
- Monitor media coverage, identify emerging trends and potential risks, and provide recommendations to communications leadership.
- Manage media preparation, including briefing materials and coordination of spokesperson coaching.
- Develop executive communications materials, including talking points, keynote remarks, and social media content.
- Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and thought leadership across industry, business, and trade media.
- Ensure executive messaging aligns with corporate priorities, company values, business strategy, and approved communications objectives.
- Partner with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to develop impactful, audience-relevant narratives.
- Manage executive speaking opportunities from request evaluation and content development through logistics and event preparation.
- Develop and refine presentations, speeches, panel discussion talking points, and audience-specific messaging.
- Partner with event organizers, industry associations, and internal stakeholders to maximize external visibility opportunities.
- Track and measure engagement outcomes and recommend future opportunities.
- Partner with Investor Relations, Marketing, HR, brands, and internal/function communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across audiences.
- Align the corporate narrative with brand storytelling to reflect a cohesive company story.
- Manage agency partners and external vendors as needed, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with approved objectives.
- Maintain and improve communications calendars, project plans, and reporting mechanisms.
- Track communications metrics and provide insights on performance and impact.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation.
- Career growth opportunities.
- Flexibility and support for diverse life stages and choices.
- Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life, and disability benefits.
- Paid parental leave.
- Fertility benefits.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Caregiver support.
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plans.
- Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan, Sales Incentive Bonus (SIB) Plan, or Dividend Program eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
