Director, External Communications at H&R Block

Our Company:We care about helping people. Our purpose is to provide help and inspire confidence in our clients and communities everywhere. Our associates feel a sense of belonging in an inclusive place with an amazing history and a sharp focus on our future. Our connected culture is who we are and how we work together to achieve our strategies, accelerate our transformation, and achieve extraordinary results. It’s an exciting time to be a part of H&R Block!What you'll do...:

H&R Block is seeking a Director of External Communications to join our Corporate Communications team. This role will report to the VP of Corporate Communications and will be responsible for leading external communications strategies to enhance brand visibility and build positive relationships with media, analysts, and other external stakeholders. 

Day to Day You'll... 

External Communications & Media Relations 

• Lead the development and execution of external communications strategies to enhance brand visibility and build positive relationships with the media and other external stakeholders. 

• Oversee media relations, including press releases, media briefings, and proactive media outreach. 

• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization, building and maintaining relationships with top-tier reporters. 

• Manage relationships with external communications agencies and consultants. 

• Maintain and enhance executive and spokesperson media training. 

• Lead performance measurement to define the impact of media on our business and brand performance. 

• Drive company and executive LinkedIn strategy to reinforce our financial expertise, trust and relevance on the channel.  

• Innovate communications approach with modern techniques and tools that match the dynamic and evolving media and social landscape. 

• Monitor and analyze media trends and public sentiment to inform strategic decisions and crisis management plans. 

• Lead the development of thought leadership content and speaking opportunities for H&R Block executives. 

• Manage external communications budgets and resources, ensuring cost-effective and efficient use. 

• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership on external communication matters, including brand positioning and stakeholder engagement. 

• Ensure all external communications comply with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and integrity. 

Leadership & Collaboration 

• Proven experience leading people, cross-functional teams, and external agencies to achieve communications objectives, with a strong track record of driving results through effective collaboration and project management. 

Cultural Relevance & Insights 

• Ability to recognize and activate culturally relevant moments, leveraging timely and impactful communications strategies that resonate with diverse audiences to drive brand awareness and stakeholder connection. 

Corporate Reputation Management 

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to enhance and protect the company's reputation among key stakeholders, including investors, customers, and the media. 

• Monitor and analyze public perception and proactively address potential reputational risks. 

Executive Visibility  

• Support the development and execution of external executive visibility plans to enhance the company's thought leadership and reputation within the industry. 

Issues & Crisis Preparedness 

• Manage and mitigate crisis situations, ensuring timely and effective communication. 

• Maintain and upkeep issues and crisis protocols, scenario plans and key stakeholders. 

• Synthesize and analyze key narratives across earned media, social conversation and industry analyst commentary. 

Integrated Communications 

• Collaborate with departments throughout the company to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment across all corporate channels. 

• Develop and execute corporate communications plans to support integrated communications campaigns and business objectives. 

• Collaborate with the internal communications Director and team to ensure external messages are aligned with key internal moments, company goals, plans, and voice. 

What you'll bring to the team...:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, English, Journalism, Business or related discipline from an accredited college or university. 

• 10 years of experience in external communications or a related field, with progressive responsibility. 

• Experience in a publicly traded organization is a plus. 

• Proven ability to work with others in a team setting across business units, departments, countries, and disciplines. 

• Innovative, strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to create and communicate a vision for the future and translate it into clear strategies and specific priorities. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead through influence and network. 

• Results-orientation in setting and pursuing aggressive goals, demonstrating a strong commitment to organizational success and marshaling resources to accomplish projects. 

• Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation, facilitation, and listening skills. 

• Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, influential communications and to manage multiple projects and/or teams simultaneously while working independently in a fast-paced environment. 

• Track record demonstrates the ability to formulate strategic communications plans and to also execute tactical needs.  

Why work for us:Since 1955, we have been leaders in tax preparation, financial services, and small business solutions. With 70,000 associates and 9,000 retail tax locations across North America, Australia, Ireland, and India, we have helped millions of clients and countless communities. If you embrace challenges as opportunities, value winning as a team, and seek to make a meaningful difference, join us on our journey. You’ll reap the rewards of helping others along with competitive compensation and benefits to support your health and well-being.

Specific benefits may vary based on your role. For detailed eligibility requirements and benefits information, visit blockbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer: H&R Block does not tolerate discrimination based on a person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and sex-based stereotypes and transgender status), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, service in the Armed Forces, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status or any other status protected by law.Pay Range Information:The pay range for this position is listed below. Local minimum wage laws apply. This information is posted pursuant to local requirements to provide applicants with information about what they might be eligible to receive. Individual pay decisions will depend on job-related factors such as experience, education, skill, performance, and geographic location where work will be performed. Successful candidates may be able to participate in one or more incentive compensation or short-term incentive plans, which could generate additional earnings in accordance with the terms of each plan. Qualifying associates can enroll themselves and/or their eligible dependents in medical and prescription drug coverage; can participate in the H&R Block Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) Plan), the Employee Assistance Program, (virtual) fitness center programs, and the associate discount program; are automatically enrolled in Business Travel Accident Insurance; and receive Associate Tax Prep benefit.Pay Range:$120,900.00 - $205,500.00/Yr.Sponsored Job:#LI-KB1 #LI-Remote Apply Now