External Communications Consultant

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Arizona, +2 more locations.

📋 Description

• Create and implement proactive public relations strategies that align with Conduent’s business goals, transformation initiatives, and reputation objectives.

• Identify engaging storylines that showcase industry knowledge, technological capabilities, innovation, client successes, and business impact.

• Foster relationships with journalists in business, technology, trade, and industry sectors to secure earned media coverage.

• Produce media pitches, press releases, contributed articles, executive bylines, Q&As, media briefs, and external communication materials.

• Position Conduent and its leaders within key industry discussions.

• Oversee media outreach from initial story development through pitching, follow-up, interview coordination, and tracking coverage.

• Assess media opportunities based on audience relevance, credibility, business value, and impact on reputation.

• Craft messaging, talking points, briefing materials, and interview preparation for senior executives.

• Develop executive thought-leadership programs, including articles, speaking engagements, interviews, and industry commentary.

• Simplify complex business, technology, and operational topics into clear narratives for external audiences.

• Collaborate with leaders and subject-matter experts to shape media-worthy viewpoints.

• Ensure consistent corporate messaging, descriptions, key messages, and supporting evidence.

• Work alongside the Marketing team on integrated storytelling and amplification of earned and paid media.

• Transform business updates, client successes, research, events, and expertise into compelling external narratives.

• Monitor media coverage, industry trends, and emerging issues.

• Prepare reports on media coverage, executive updates, and analyses of communication effectiveness.

• Assist with reactive statements, media responses, Q&As, and communication plans for sensitive topics.

• Collaborate with Legal, Security, business leaders, and external advisors on issues that require review or quick responses.

• Maintain protocols for media responses, approval processes, and public relations workflows.

• Align external messaging with Marketing, Investor Relations, Legal, ESG, business leadership, and internal communications.

• Partner with external PR agencies and specialized advisors on projects, announcements, and crisis communications.

• Establish agency briefs, deliverables, timelines, and performance expectations.

• Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the external communications operating model.

• Set and monitor PR performance metrics, refining storylines, outreach strategies, and channel selection.

• Maintain an upcoming PR calendar.

• Report on progress, media opportunities, risks, and results to communications leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related discipline.

• Generally 7–10+ years of experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, or a similar field.

• Proven track record of generating earned media through proactive pitching and strong relationships with journalists.

• Experience in B2B, technology, business services, consulting, financial services, or other complex corporate environments.

• Outstanding writing, editing, storytelling, and message development abilities.

• Experience in creating executive thought leadership, media briefing materials, and external communications for senior leaders.

• Strong judgment in managing sensitive issues, media inquiries, and reputational risks.

• Capability to comprehend complex business and technology subjects and translate them into clear, relevant narratives.

• Excellent project management skills and the ability to handle competing priorities with minimal supervision.

• Experience collaborating with external PR agencies and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ability to operate effectively in a global organization with geographically dispersed teams.

• Preferred: experience supporting a publicly traded company; familiarity with crisis communications, cybersecurity issues, or sensitive corporate matters; experience in enhancing executive visibility at industry conferences, media events, and business announcements; knowledge of media monitoring, coverage analytics, and social listening tools; experience in communicating AI, digital transformation, customer experience, or technology-enabled business services.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work.

• Flexible working hours.

• Health and welfare benefits starting on the first day of employment.

• Retirement savings plan.

• Employee discounts on merchandise, services, travel, and more.

• Opportunities for career growth.

• Access to training and award-winning learning platforms.

• Health insurance coverage.

• Voluntary dental and vision programs.

• Life and disability insurance.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off (PTO) or vacation and/or sick leave.

• Bonus or incentive eligibility based on business needs.