Director, Communications

This position provides both strategic and hands-on leadership for SME’s communications function, shaping and executing the organization’s external and internal communications strategy. The role oversees a multi-disciplinary team and communications budget, ensuring alignment with SME’s strategic priorities and serving as a trusted, credible advisor to executives and business leaders.

The incumbent develops and implements integrated communications campaigns that strengthen SME’s brand visibility, reputation and engagement with key audiences. Core tools include media relations, thought leadership, social media, events, and web content.

A critical component of this role is executive and principal communications, including developing speeches, presentations, messages, and thought leadership content for SME’s CEO and senior leadership team. The individual must demonstrate sound judgement, discretion, poise, diplomacy and adaptability in supporting a visible and high-profile chief executive.

The position also leads and coaches the Communications staff, providing ongoing feedback, guidance, and performance management, while ensuring the team delivers high-quality, timely and strategically aligned communications outcomes in a dynamic environment.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and execute integrated communications and public relations strategies aligned with SME’s strategic direction and major market trends
• Build, manage and develop a high performing team, including setting clear goals, providing coaching and feedback, and ensuring accountability for performance.
• Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing team environment that reflects SME’s values, encourages professional growth, and promotes accountability at all levels.
• Develop annual performance goals, metrics, and development plans for team members; monitor progress and conduct performance reviews to ensure individual and team success.
• Report on team performance against established objectives, identifying successes and areas for improvement to inform future strategies.
• Serve as a key communications advisor and presentation lead for SME leadership, creating remarks, scripts, presentations, and executive messaging advancing SME’s strategic priorities and reflecting the CEO’s true voice, ideas and leadership style.
• Lead the development of, and directly support, the executive visibility strategy, identifying and securing speaking opportunities, media engagements, and other platforms positioning SME’s point of view into greater industry discussions.
• Identify key national, regional, manufacturing, trade and business media targets to cultivate relationships and ensure SME positions and initiatives are represented accurately and in a timely fashion across local, national and internal news outlets
• Lead the creation and maintenance of a master editorial calendar to provide cohesion to a wide range of communications.
• Provide counsel and real-time support to the CEO and senior leadership team on sensitive communications, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating discretion, agility, and true understanding of, and adapting to, executive working styles.
• Oversee the development of high-quality messaging and pitches, press releases, editorials, and feature stories to ensure excellence and consistency in messaging
• Manage maintenance of active media contact databases in manufacturing, business, and local segments
• Provide counsel on inbound media opportunities from bona fide journalists
• Manage media metric tracking and reporting for the organization
• Develop and execute thought leadership initiatives consistent with individual business unit goals and SME’s Strategic Plan, including proactively identifying speaking opportunities for SME executives at industry events and media opportunities with manufacturing, business, and general interest (including local Detroit) media outlets
• Lead the creation and maintenance of a master editorial calendar that governs the development of high-quality white papers, annual reports, podcasts, press releases, and other communications to ensure consistency in messaging and alignment with SME’s strategic priorities
• Develop and execute thought-leadership initiatives consistent with SME’s Strategic Plan, including identifying speaking and media opportunities for SME executives across manufacturing, business, and general-interest outlets.
• Manage the development of executive speech drafts and itineraries for industry activities and SME events, providing feedback on presentations and tracking outcomes and impact metrics.
• Coordinate with the Marketing Team to develop broad communications strategy using earned media, owned channels and thought leadership to position SME events in a competitive marketplace, capture mindshare and drive attendance growth
• Manage promotion of SME, including the Education Foundation, at SME-hosted events, ensuring consistent visibility, messaging, and engagement across company activities, workforce programs, and student-focused initiatives.
• Manage SME’s centralized platform for all SME social channels.
• Develop and execute integrated, annual social media content plan and larger, more comprehensive, editorial calendar for SME’s social channels.
• Review and edit all social media content across the organization to ensure excellence and brand and voice consistency prior to posting
• Analyze and report on platform metrics for continuous improvement
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in Communications or Public Relations or related preferred
• At least 10 years of communications experience, including PR, media relations, social media and executive leadership communications
• At least 3 years experience building and leading high-performance teams
• Proven ability to cultivate and maintain relationships Strong connections/relationships with media outlets and key manufacturing industry press
• Strong media relations expertise, with emphasis on strategic campaign development and execution.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated communications campaigns that drive awareness and business growth
• Experience planning and managing social media strategies across multiple platforms.
• Exceptional presentation, writing and editing skills, with working knowledge of AP Style.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Experience with media and social media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Falcon, Critical Mention and Business Wire or similar)

KEY COMPETENCIES:
Core Competencies:

• Communication and Collaboration
• Relationship Management
• Professionalism and Integrity
• Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
• Execution
• Initiative, Leadership, and Development

Leadership Competencies:

• Leadership and Vision
• Talent Management and Development
• Change Leadership

Job Competencies:

• Executive Communication and Messaging
• Media and Public Relations Strategy
• Brand and Reputation Management
• Thought Leadership and Content Strategy
• Crisis and Issues Management

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Normal office environment
• Regular, in-person attendance required
• Primary office location: Southfield, MI
• Travel required

POSITION TITLE: Director, Communications
GROUP: Communications
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt