External Communications Consultant

Conduent•Phoenix, AZ

2d•Remote

About The Position

Conduent is seeking a strategic, hands-on communications professional to strengthen the company’s external reputation, increase media visibility, and communicate its business transformation, technology capabilities, and client impact. The Senior Manager will lead day-to-day execution of Conduent’s public relations program by developing compelling storylines, cultivating journalist relationships, generating earned-media opportunities, and translating business priorities into relevant external narratives. The role partners with business leaders, subject-matter experts, Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, ESG, internal communications, external PR agencies, and other stakeholders. It combines strategic judgment with hands-on writing, media relations, executive communications, issues management, measurement, and process improvement in a fast-paced, complex corporate environment. The position is remote, with flexible working hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
Typically 7–10+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated success generating earned media through proactive pitching and strong journalist relationships.
Experience working with B2B, technology, business services, consulting, financial services, or other complex corporate organizations.
Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and message-development skills.
Experience developing executive thought leadership, media briefing materials, and external communications for senior leaders.
Strong judgment in handling sensitive issues, media inquiries, and reputational risks.
Ability to understand complex business and technology topics and translate them into clear, relevant stories.
Strong project management skills and ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.
Experience working with external PR agencies and cross-functional stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively in a global organization with geographically dispersed teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting a publicly traded company and understanding coordination among Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, and Legal.
Familiarity with crisis communications, cybersecurity issues, or other sensitive corporate matters.
Experience supporting executive visibility at industry conferences, media events, and business announcements.
Familiarity with media monitoring, coverage analytics, and social listening tools.
Experience communicating AI, digital transformation, customer experience, or technology-enabled business services.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute proactive public relations plans aligned with Conduent’s business strategy, transformation priorities, and reputation objectives.
Identify storylines that demonstrate the company’s industry expertise, technology capabilities, innovation, client outcomes, and business impact.
Build relationships with business, technology, trade, and industry journalists to generate earned-media coverage.
Develop media pitches, press releases, contributed articles, executive bylines, Q&As, media briefs, and other external communications materials.
Identify opportunities to position Conduent and its leaders in relevant industry conversations and manage media outreach from story development through coverage tracking.
Evaluate media opportunities for audience relevance, credibility, business value, and potential reputational impact.
Develop external messaging, talking points, briefing materials, and interview preparation for the CEO and other senior leaders.
Build executive thought-leadership programs, including articles, speaking opportunities, interviews, and industry commentary.
Translate complex business, technology, and operational topics into clear, differentiated narratives for external audiences.
Partner with leaders and subject-matter experts to surface insights and develop original perspectives for media.
Maintain consistent corporate messaging, company descriptions, key messages, and proof points across external communications.
Review and strengthen external content for clarity, accuracy, differentiation, and alignment with company priorities.
Partner with Marketing on integrated storytelling, campaign amplification, and earned- and paid-media use.
Repurpose business developments, client wins, research, events, and internal expertise into external stories, subject to client permissions and disclosure requirements.
Monitor media coverage, industry developments, and emerging issues affecting Conduent and its businesses.
Prepare media coverage reports, executive updates, and analysis of communications effectiveness.
Support reactive statements, media responses, Q&As, and communications plans for sensitive or emerging issues.
Coordinate with Legal, Security, business leaders, and external advisers on issues requiring careful review, rapid response, or specialized counsel.
Help maintain media response protocols, approval workflows, contact lists, and other core PR processes.
Coordinate external messaging with Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, ESG, business leadership, and internal communications.
Manage external PR agencies and specialist advisers on defined projects, announcements, crisis communications, and other high-priority needs; establish briefs, deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations.
Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the external communications operating model.
Establish and track practical PR performance measures, including earned-media coverage, message inclusion, outlet quality, executive visibility, and engagement with priority audiences.
Use results and insights to refine storylines, outreach strategies, and channel selection.
Maintain a forward-looking PR calendar tied to announcements, business milestones, industry events, and thought-leadership opportunities.
Report progress, media opportunities, risks, and results to communications leadership.

Benefits

Health and welfare benefits that can be tailored to employee needs and start on the first day of employment.
Retirement savings plan.
Employee discounts on merchandise, services, travel, and more.
Career growth opportunities across a broad portfolio of businesses and global footprint.
Access to award-winning learning platforms and training.
Health insurance coverage.
Voluntary dental and vision programs.
Life and disability insurance.
Paid holidays.
Paid time off, vacation, and/or sick time.
The position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive based on business need.