SVP, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications

SVP, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications

Location: NYC or Detroit

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

About Crain Communications

Crain Communications is a leading media company with a diverse portfolio of trusted B2B media brands including Ad Age, Crain’s New York Business, Automotive News, Modern Healthcare and Pensions & Investments. With a long-standing commitment to delivering exceptional information and insights for business leaders, we connect professionals and decision-makers across industries and communities. As we continue to adapt to rapidly changing cutomer needs and expectations, we’re seeking a transformative marketing and communications executive to help shape our next chapter of growth and excellence.

Position Overview

Crain Communications is seeking an accomplished SVP, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications to elevate our global brands and lead integrated marketing, communications, and reputation strategy across our portfolio.

This leader will partner with the Crain leadership team to strengthen our market relationships to drive revenue growth through data-driven marketing, creative storytelling, and strategic brand positioning. The ideal candidate is a proven C-suite advisor and collaborative culture-builder with experience leading high-performing teams and driving transformation within industries that have faced distruption from technology and changing customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, COO, and executive leadership, shaping Crain’s narrative, reputation, and market presence.
• Partner across functions to support organizational transformation and brand modernization.
• Lead marketing and communications integration across brands to ensure a cohesive, global identity and unified storytelling framework.

Brand, Marketing & Sales Growth

• Define and execute an enterprise-wide brand strategy, in partnership with the Chief Content Offier, to strengthen Crain’s position as an authoritative and trusted leader in business media.
• Oversee brand marketing, digital campaigns, demand generation, and creative strategy to drive subscriber acquisition, retention, and revenue growth.
• Leverage insights and analytics to align marketing investments with business priorities and measure impact.
• Evolve go-to-market strategies for new sales products, events, and initiatives, ensuring cross channel excellence.
• Act as a senior relationship steward with top advertisers, agencies, and industry partners, reinforcing Crain’s position as a premier destination for high-quality business audiences.
• Shape Crain’s advertiser engagement strategy in partnership with the Chief Commerical Officer, ensuring consistent storytelling, measurable impact, and long-term partnership value.
• Drive the evolution of advertiser marketing programs, integrating content, events, and digital platforms to deliver innovative, insight-led solutions for clients.

Corporate Communications & Media Relations

• Lead corporate and executive communications, reputation management, crisis response, and internal communications.
• Build and strengthen relationships with global media, analysts, and key industry stakeholders.
• Position Crain’s leadership and content creators as thought leaders in business, media and policy conversations.

Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in marketing, communications, and brand management—preferably within media or B2B information sectors but relevant experience in other industries with B2B audience and premium brands will also be suitable.
• At least 5 years of experience in a Senior Management role, on an Executive or Senior leadership team.
• Proven success in driving brand transformation and audience growth for measurable business impact.
• Experience in various aspects of internal and external communications; brand strategy; content marketing; and digital engagement.
• Deep understanding of reputation management, executive visibility, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong experience managing teams and cross-functional integration.
• Experience with events a plus.
• Recognized as a trusted strategic advisor and collaborative partner to C-suite leaders and boards.