Overview
PNNL’s Communications organization is comprised of over 100 talented communications professionals committed to elevating PNNL’s reputation, inspiring action, and engaging audiences by transforming the Lab’s science into influential communications and compelling stories.

We are seeking an External Communications Manager to shape and execute the organization’s external communications strategy.

Responsibilities

Position Overview
The External Communications Manager is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive external communications strategies that go beyond traditional media relations to build and sustain the organization’s reputation and brand visibility with all priority audiences and support the communications strategy. This position leads digital media, public relations, media relations, employer brand stewardship, and institutional voice and messaging.  The person in this position will serve on the Communication’s executive leadership team and work closely with the other communications verticals to ensure a coordinated approach to external messaging and the use of PNNL’s external channels.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Build, manage, and mentor a professional and impactful external communications team. Supervise and elevate the team’s work, ensuring quality, consistency, and impact.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute external communication strategies aligned with the Lab’s goals and objectives and the overall communications strategy.
• Media Relations: Drive media relations activities increasing PNNL’s share of voice and guiding public affairs activities.
• Crisis Management: Prepare for potential crises and manage external communications during such events to protect and maintain the Lab’s reputation.
• Institutional communications capability and strategies: Establish and ensure that all external communications are consistent with the Lab’s brand voice, style, and messaging.
• Integrate institutional/brand priorities into news and digital strategies.
• Develop and launch a brand content strategy.
• Strengthen the Lab’s reputation in priority areas and as an employer of choice.
• Digital and Social Media Management: Oversee the Lab’s presence on and strategy for social media platforms and websites. Ensure platforms are optimally leveraged to advance PNNL’s communications strategy with a broad set of audiences and stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders within DOE and across the Lab complex.
• Metrics and Analytics: Elevate PNNL’s brand positioning. Set, monitor and measure the effectiveness of external communications activities, adjusting strategies as needed.  Develop strategies that improve and address KPIs.
• Budget Management: Manage the external communications budget, including evaluating ROI and adjusting resources to optimize results.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 10 years work experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 8 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Superb written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading external communication functions.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing external communications strategies.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with an ability to lead diverse teams.
• Proven experience in influencing leaders and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated expertise implementing state-of-the-art technologies approaches to external communications function.
• Ability to create and implement strategic communication plans to influence audience actions and perceptions.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams including writers, editors, designers, photographers, programmers, developers, internal clients, and project managers.
• Expertise using best practices to measure external communications.
• A deep understanding of industry trends in external communications
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong ability to stay updated on the evolving strategic communications landscape, industry trends and best practices in external communications.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail.
• Demonstrated ability to build coalitions and develop internal alignment for recommendations related to external communication in partnership with other organizational teams and functions.