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External Communications, Media & PR Manager

CNA
  • Chicago, Illinois
    6 days ago

    Job Description

    You have a clear vision of where your career can go. And we have the leadership to help you get there. At CNA, we strive to create a culture in which people know they matter and are part of something important, ensuring the abilities of all employees are used to their fullest potential. 

    As a key member of the External Communications team, this role helps shape and protect CNA's reputation among brokers, customers, industry stakeholders, media and other external audiences. The Marketing Manager serves as a strategic communications advisor, developing and executing integrated communications strategies that advance business objectives, strengthen market positioning and elevate CNA's brand and thought leadership.

    Working closely with business leaders and subject matter experts, this individual identifies opportunities to amplify CNA's voice in the marketplace, manages media and public relations initiatives, and provides communications counsel on both proactive and sensitive issues. The role requires strong business acumen, exceptional communication skills and the ability to translate complex topics into compelling stories and messaging that resonate with external audiences.

    JOB DESCRIPTION:

    Essential Duties & Responsibilities

    Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines:

    • Serves as a trusted communications advisor, providing strategic counsel on messaging, reputation management, communications risks and opportunities, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
    • Develops and executes external communications strategies that support enterprise priorities, business objectives and key growth initiatives.
    • Manages media and public relations programs, reputation management, executive visibility, reporter engagement, media materials development, spokesperson preparation, media monitoring and results reporting.
    • Leads CNA's Awards & Recognition program as a key component of the company's reputation and thought leadership strategy. Execute opportunities that enhance CNA's external profile, elevate executives and subject matter experts, and showcase the company's expertise, culture and business performance to key stakeholders.
    • Identifies and develops opportunities to enhance CNA's visibility and reputation through thought leadership, executive positioning, speaking engagements, industry awards and recognition programs.
    • Partners with business leaders and subject matter experts to create compelling content and storytelling that strengthens CNA's market presence and supports strategic priorities.
    • Monitors emerging issues, assesses potential reputational impacts and recommends communications strategies, messaging and response plans.
    • Manages agency relationships and external communications projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, brand standards and expected outcomes.
    • Measures and analyzes communications performance, media coverage and reputation-building activities, leveraging insights to optimize future strategies and programs.
    • Collaborates across Marketing & Communications and business teams to ensure consistent messaging and a coordinated approach to external engagement.

    Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

    • Commercial insurance industry experience required.
    • Strong expertise in external communications, media relations and public relations, including earned media strategy, message development, spokesperson support and issues management.
    • Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex business, insurance and industry topics into clear, compelling communications.
    • Demonstrated ability to develop strategic communications plans that support business objectives and enhance reputation.
    • Experience positioning organizations, leaders and subject matter experts through thought leadership, executive visibility programs, speaking engagements and industry recognition opportunities.
    • Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively across all organizational levels.
    • Proven project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

    Education & Experience

    • Commercial insurance industry experience required.
    • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English or a related field, or equivalent experience.
    • Typically a minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations or a related field.
    • Experience advising leaders and stakeholders on strategic or high-profile communications initiatives.

    #LI-DM1

    #LI-Hybrid

    In certain jurisdictions, CNA is legally required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. In District of Columbia,California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Washington,the national base pay range for this job level is $72,000 to $141,000 annually. Salary determinations are based on various factors, including but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.  For a detailed look at CNA’s benefits, please visit cnabenefits.com.


    CNA utilizes AI-enabled technology during the recruiting process. For more information, please visit our careers page.


    CNA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment process. To request an accommodation, please contact 

    leaveadministration@cna.com

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationChicago, Illinois
    IndustryOther/Not Classified
    Company Size100 to 499 employees
    Year Founded1940
    Websitehttps://www.cna.org/

    About Company

    CNA's approach to research is a modern iteration of the Newtonian principle that complex, dynamic processes are best understood through direct observation of events and people. That was the methodology CNA analysts first applied in the 1940s when they pioneered the field of operations research by helping the Navy address the German U-boat threat. Not content to study the problem from afar, this small group of MIT scientists insisted on deploying with Navy forces in order to observe operations and collect the data needed for meaningful analyses. Their groundbreaking work, and the anti-submarine warfare equations it produced, set a standard for operations research methods that CNA has maintained for 75 years. Today, with more than 500 professionals at our headquarters and 50 researchers in the field, CNA still takes a multi-disciplinary, real-world approach to our work. On-site analysts carefully observe all aspects of a process—people, decisions, actions, consequences—and then collaborate with a headquarters-based research team to assess data and arrive at findings. CNA's objective, empirical research and analysis helps decision makers develop sound policies, make better-informed decisions, and manage programs more effectively. Our work, which in its early decades focused solely on defense-related matters, has grown to include investigation and analysis of a broad range of national security, defense, and public interest issues including education, homeland security and air traffic management. Through our Center for Naval Analyses and Institute for Public Research, we provide public-sector organizations with the tools they need to tackle the complex challenges of making government more efficient and keeping our country safe and strong.

    Skills

    • Brokerageunmatched
    • Business Skillsunmatched
    • Business Supportunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Content Developmentunmatched
    • Corporate Communicationsunmatched
    • Editingunmatched
    • English Languageunmatched
    • Industry/Trade Pressunmatched
    • Insuranceunmatched
    • Journalismunmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Marketingunmatched
    • Marketing Communicationsunmatched
    • Multitaskingunmatched
    • Performance Analysisunmatched
    • Power Amplifierunmatched
    • Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relationsunmatched
    • Relationship Managementunmatched
    • Storytellingunmatched
    • Strategic Planningunmatched
    • Thought Leadershipunmatched
    • Writing Skillsunmatched

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