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.