The Senior Manager leads the team responsible for building, enhancing and protecting GM’s reputation through proactive storytelling, shaping of stories, media/influencer relationships and overall management of news and corporate issues. Communicate GM’s strategies, priorities and positions proactively and reactively through media and influencers.
Key Responsibilities:
General news relations for the company– coordinate overall media relations on corporate issues, collaborating across the enterprise on messaging and statements
Serve as company spokesperson on corporate issues. Provide on-the-record comments and background media to ensure accuracy of stories on the company
Lead third party strategy to ensure they are informed with accurate company information on an ongoing basis
Work closely with Communications teams on message development, Q&As, media strategy Lead issue/crisis communications efforts, establishing rapid response protocols. Provide regular updates to senior leadership
Lead cross-brand Communications – collaborate with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac Communications teams on media issues that cross sales and marketing channels, including dealers
Oversee broadcast news– manage a comprehensive broadcast strategy that supports major corporate and brand events. Develop relationships with key producers and correspondents
Lead media relations/Issues management for a variety of corporate topics, including:Legal actions, Product safety and recalls, Consumer and Data PrivacyInformation, TechnologyReal Estate, Customer Experience, HR-related issues
Collaborate with Executive Communications team on senior executive communications activities including hot topics for media interview preparation
Daily News Call – host a daily news briefing for the North America internal and external communications teams to help foster teamwork, collaboration and alignment on hot issues in the news, major corporate and brand announcements and potential newsmakers
Daily News Digest – edit and distribute daily a comprehensive collection of GM-corporate, brand and industry media coverage to help keep GM leadership apprised of breaking news, trends, features and analysis that are relevant to our business
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in business, journalism, communications or related area. 15-20 years of communications experience.
Significant expertise in media relations, issues management, crisis communications
Significant experience serving as a company spokesperson
Strong news judgmentInterest/business acumen automotive industry is a plus
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Proactive, strategic focus
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead teams, develop talent and build relationships
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to comprehend technical information and prepare audience-appropriate communications quickly
Ability to deal with ambiguity and tight deadlines
Ability to effectively work cross-functionally and collaborate in a matrix organization
Innovative spirit
Social media acumen
High level of flexibility
Willingness to travel domestically when safe to do so. Expect regional travel to support speaking engagements, media events. Allocation: approx. 25%
Enterprise-level thinking
Relocation and/or remote work options available, contingent on offer