Communications Director

Communications Director Location: Fort Wayne, IN Level: Salaried Division / Department: Marketing & Ecommerce / Communications Reports to: Executive Vice President of Marketing & Ecommerce Travel: As needed (for potential member visits, industry events, and travel to Do it Best Markets 2x per year) About the Role: The Communications Director is a senior leadership role responsible for developing and leading the organization’s internal and external communications strategy. This role drives brand reputation, ensures message consistency, and strengthens engagement with key stakeholders—including employees, customers, media, partners, and the broader public. The Communications Director serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and acts as a steward of the company’s voice, narrative, and reputation. Responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and business objectives.

Provide strategic counsel on corporate positioning, change management, and reputational risk.

Establish communications priorities and KPIs to measure effectiveness and impact.

External Communications & Public Relations

Oversee media relations, thought leadership, executive visibility, and crisis communications.

Act as a primary spokesperson or prepare executives for public, media, and industry engagements.

Build and maintain strong relationships with key media, influencers, and external stakeholders.

Ensure consistent and compelling storytelling across all external channels.

Internal Communications

Lead internal communications strategy to foster employee engagement, clarity, and alignment.

Partner with HR and leadership teams to support culture, transformation initiatives, and organizational change.

Ensure timely, transparent, and effective communication to employees across all levels.

Brand & Messaging

Steward brand voice, narrative, and standards across all communications.

Oversee the development of messaging frameworks, editorial calendars, and content strategy.

Ensure consistency across marketing, PR, digital, and internal communication channels.

Team & Operations Management

Build, lead, and mentor a high performing communications team.

Manage agency partners, vendors, and external consultants as needed.

Own departmental budgeting, resource planning, and operational excellence.

Cross Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Marketing, Ecommerce, HR, Legal, and Operations to ensure consistent, aligned messaging across all internal and external channels

Serve as a strategic communications advisor to executive leadership, supporting enterprise initiatives, business priorities, and organizational change efforts

Collaborate with HR to strengthen employee engagement, culture communications, and change management strategies

Align with Marketing and Digital teams to integrate brand storytelling across campaigns, content strategy, and customer-facing communications

Work with Legal and Compliance to ensure communications are accurate, compliant, and risk-aware

Support business leaders and functional teams in developing communication plans for key initiatives, product launches, and member-facing programs

Drive alignment across departments to ensure a unified voice and cohesive narrative in all stakeholder communications

Education and Experience: Minimum

Bachelor's degree in public affairs, communications, marketing, or related field of study

Previous Director-level experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a related discipline

Demonstrated success leading enterprise-level communications strategies, including internal and external communications

Proven experience advising senior leaders and managing complex, high-impact communication initiatives

Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms and their role in modern communications strategy

5–10 years of people leadership experience, preferably within a dynamic and evolving organization

Desired

Master’s degree in business (MBA), communications, or a related field

Experience developing digital content strategies and leveraging web-based communication tools

Experience supporting large-scale events, executive engagements, or corporate initiatives

Experience in the home improvement, retail, or related industry

Skills and Abilities:

Exceptional ability to develop and deliver clear, compelling messaging tailored to diverse audiences

Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and advise senior leadership

Ability to operate effectively at both a strategic and tactical level, balancing long-term vision with execution

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and audience engagement

Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Excellent public speaking and presentation development capabilities

Sound business acumen with an understanding of retail operations and customer dynamics

High attention to detail with strong editing and quality assurance capabilities

Benefits available to you:

Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision

Paid time off to foster work/life balance

Profit sharing

Bonus Pay opportunities

Retirement funding opportunities

Education reimbursement

Health club reimbursement

Career advancement opportunities

About Do it Best Group Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world's largest hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, we support thousands of independently owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value, or their own local store identities, offering a diverse range of branding options to best serve their communities. Culture: Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring, and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role. Our Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served Our Mission: Making the best even better Our Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams Please note that for this role, relocation assistance is not available. Candidates should be willing and able to work in Fort Wayne, IN without the need for relocation support. We encourage local candidates or those already planning to move to the area to apply.