SME
Director, Communications
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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
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)
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
SME is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants must live in the United States and legally be authorized to work there without sponsorship. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications. Offers typically fall within this range based on individual qualifications and budget availability. In addition to base salary, SME offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) with company matching, generous paid time off and holidays, professional development and training opportunities, and additional wellness and work‑life balance benefits. Certain positions may also be eligible for bonus/incentive compensation, subject to role and company policies.
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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
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)
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
SME is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants must live in the United States and legally be authorized to work there without sponsorship. The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications. Offers typically fall within this range based on individual qualifications and budget availability. In addition to base salary, SME offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) with company matching, generous paid time off and holidays, professional development and training opportunities, and additional wellness and work‑life balance benefits. Certain positions may also be eligible for bonus/incentive compensation, subject to role and company policies.
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