Senior Manager, Communications

Summary

This full-time position with the Communications & External Affairs team leads strategic efforts to anticipate, prepare, and mitigate risk domestically and internationally. This role supports the team’s media relations and external affairs function, including engagements with domestic and international news outlets, non-media constituents, and influencers (e.g., academics, philanthropists, and business leaders).

The successful candidate will have experience addressing reputational issues in today’s dynamic media environment, an awareness of cultural, economic, and political viewpoints, and be a great teammate with an exceptional work ethic.

Responsibilities:

• Own existing processes and establish new procedures to help GV identify potential reputation risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business and group leaders by identifying, escalating and mitigating business risks and critical reputation issues as they evolve, and proactively develop communications strategies and materials to mitigate potential impacts.
• Articulate insights and provide counsel on complex brand reputation risks, using data-driven insights to make recommendations.
• Build and maintain trusted global relationships with business partners to promote and protect our principal’s brand globally.
• Create meaningful analysis and reporting, coordinate with partners across the organization to provide strategic advice and contribute to large-scale projects across teams.
• Establish relationships across GV to develop a deep understanding of potential brand threats and recognize emerging trends.
• Establish a strong network if internal and external stakeholders to assist in crafting appropriate message to communicate to the media, in coordinated action with GV’s partners and key individuals.
• Create a process and cadence to identify, track and monitor brand reputation risks to ensure senior leaders are informed of trends.
• Drive communications strategies to ensure alignment of messages and narratives.
• As with most communications jobs, work outside of normal office hours—including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays—and some travel may be required.

Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in addition to the required experience.
• 10+ years of experience in media relations and crisis communications.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills, including the ability to write clearly and quickly.
• Proven track record of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, requiring attention to detail while staying highly organized.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing situations. Proactive, able to anticipate and solve problems before they occur.
• Experience maintaining confidentiality and privacy during sensitive situations, and ability to use discretion with communications.
• Work very well independently and disseminate information clearly and concisely.
• Effectiveness meeting deadlines in a role requiring continual attention to detail in composing, drafting, and proofing materials.
• Able to work on several projects at a time with constant interruptions.
• Understanding of DEI and cultural empathy.
• Able to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional attitude in stressful and time-sensitive situations.
• Must be able to pass comprehensive Background Investigation.
• Position requires proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Compensation & Benefits 

The salary range for this position is $160,000-$175,000 per year. Starting salary offers will vary depending on a number of factors, including education, experience, and qualifications. This role also qualifies for a discretionary annual bonus. Gates Ventures offers a comprehensive benefits package including  medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance and a 401(k) program with employer match. Our benefits also include generous paid time off for vacation, sick leave, holidays, and parental leave.

Gates Ventures is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.