Director, Media Relations chez Albemarle

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Job Description

The Director, Media Relations strengthens the company’s brand and reputation globally through strategic media relations, thought leadership and executive visibility. Reporting to the Head of Global Communications, this highly experienced individual serves as a thoughtful advisor and communicator focused on managing the company’s reputation as the primary media contact. This role follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office presence three days per week - Tuesday through Thursday - in our Charlotte, NC office.

Who You Are:

• Highly effective media relations skills and knowledge of top-tier media, including all media levels, formats, and types.
• Excellent persuasive writing, editing and verbal skills deployed in a variety of long- and short-content formats.
• Established track record of building relationships with key media outlets, with a desired background in the energy sector.
• Experience in community/government affairs and supporting stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Experienced corporate spokesperson on business, financial, product, community and crisis communications.
• Strategic thinker able to navigate messaging across key stakeholder audiences – from governments, communities, customers, investors and general public.
• Strong, agile and quick judgment skills, considering the needs of all stakeholders involved.
• Excellent organizational ability; long-lead planning, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to coach leaders, influence others and compel change.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated, and creative, solution-oriented thinker.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently.
• Adjust to projects changing requirements and ability to meet tight deadlines.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as company spokesperson and primary media contact; identify and prepare key spokespeople in the business, joint ventures, and partner organizations.
• Determine media inquiry response strategies and develop and manage deadline-driven, reactive media responses that require collaboration with leadership and global communicators.
• Partner with critical functions like Investor Relations, Government Relations, and External Affairs on external matters related to media outcomes.
• Define, execute, and measure a strategic proactive and reactive media relations plan including corporate brand objectives and metrics to successfully elevate the company’s visibility and build/protect its reputation with key audiences worldwide.  
• Deliver clear and compelling messaging/talking points, Q&As, briefing documents, holding statements, story pitches, etc. Ensure content and materials are high-quality, accurate, appropriate in tone/messaging, and support the company’s key priorities and messages.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with key executives, leaders, internal and external stakeholders. Provide counsel regarding stated media needs/opportunities to gain support for and participation in key engagements.
• Drive and responsibly execute the corporate crisis communication playbook as it relates to media and external influencer audiences. Serve as the primary corporate point of contact on issues and crisis communications.
• Develop and execute strategic and comprehensive communication platforms for the CEO and executive team
• Define and manage media training needs including all internal and external resources.
• Manage major business event external communication needs (mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, etc.)
• Manage all facets of modern media content dissemination including formal press release distribution process through current and evolving social media channels when required. Lead in advising future standards for external content distribution as new media channels and technologies evolve.
• Monitor external media visibility and deploy data-driven insights for both risk and opportunity. Develop and maintain monthly and quarterly measurements that inform strategic planning for corporate communications.
• Collaborate with Communications team peers to help design the communications strategic plan and oversee the resources and budget to accomplish stated objectives.

What You Need to Succeed:

• 7 - 10+ years of communications or public relations experience, preferably with a B2B, publicly traded multinational company.
• 7+ years in media relations leadership with international media experience. Experience working with community and government relations a plus.
• 3+ years of people management with experience in coaching, corporate performance reviews, and career pathing.
• Proven experience in dealing with issues / crisis communications.
• Strong understanding of AP style.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations or similar field of study. Master’s degree a plus.

Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.