Position Title
Sr. Director, Corporate & Employee Communications
Department
Corporate Communications
Corporate Area
Corporate Communications
Status
Regular, Full time Exempt
Manager Title
SVP, Corporate Communications
Position Overview
As a key contributor to the success of PBS, the Senior Director, Corporate Communications is a strategic communications professional and key leader on the PBS Corporate Communications team, managing the development of communications plans to support key areas including organizational strategy, reputation management, funding and regulatory activities, technology, and crisis communications and internal communications. He/she is a chief spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the organization on a wide range of activities and topics.
He/she has the ability to influence multiple stakeholders and possesses business partnership skills in order to maximize impact in a highly dynamic environment
Key Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Effectively tell PBS’ story to stakeholders across a range of corporate areas. This includes, but is not limited to, developing communications strategies and plans, writing strategic planning and budget and operating plan documents, managing media relations, and crafting corporate messaging materials.
• Collaborate with VP of Corporate Communications to create and implement crisis communications and issues management plans around PBS’ programming, digital, funding, regulatory, legal, technology, sponsorship, personnel, and financial or editorial activities. Available when 24/7 is required in crisis situations to ensure effective external communication counsel.
• Proactively engage media to generate positive media coverage of PBS executives and activities in key corporate areas.
• Handle incoming media requests; respond to inquiries in a timely manner; serve as a chief company spokesperson.
• Respond to protests and criticism, including centrally organized campaigns and online petitions, as well as complaints from high-profile organizations and other stakeholders.
• Manage a small team dedicated to corporate and internal communications and inquiries and comments from the public.
• Support the work of Board Relations department by drafting key communications resources, including talking points, reports and other materials.
• Partner with PBS’ government affairs, legislative and regulatory teams on initiatives and responses.
• Represent PBS to a broad array of international entities, including embassies, corporations and official visitors
• Deliver presentations on topics such as reputation management to stations during national meetings, webinars and other system-wide events.
• Mentor and develop staff, and encourage collaboration across teams at PBS.
• Other Corporate or Communication projects as assigned.
  

Requirements For Success

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably with a concentration in Communications, Journalism, English; Master’s degree a plus
• 10+ years’ professional experience in corporate relations or media relations
• Experience defining and writing corporate messaging in a fast-paced environment
• Experience as a corporate spokesperson
• Understanding of government relations and regulatory landscape
• Familiarity with the political, business, economic and societal issues facing PBS
• Ability to quickly grasp complex subject matter and translate it into messages that are easily understood by all stakeholders at various levels.
• Superb listening, written and verbal communication, as well proofreading, and copyediting capability.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and competing timelines, often under late-breaking deadlines.
• Ability to treat confidential information with sensitivity and discretion.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative style with ability to build strong relationships and establish rapport with all levels of the organization, especially senior leaders.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently as well as in teams.
• Experience in leading communications during crisis communications and organizational change.
• Experience supervising communications staff members and effectively manage teams.
• Wide-ranging knowledge of the media industry, and non-profit and policy arena
• A consensus and alliance builder who influences and motivates inter-department and cross-department teams.
  

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia.