External Communications Manager

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

Under the lead of the director of corporate communications, build, manage and execute A. O. Smith’s public relations programs for North America.

Responsibilities

• Public relations
  • Understand the needs and opportunities across the various business units. Leverage assets to secure placements with consumer and relevant trade medi
  • Proactively pitch media, while reactively responding to media inquiries.
  • Create strategic communication materials, such as news releases, media alerts, media pitches, Q&A documents, contributed articles, fact sheets, and social media posts.
  • Work collaboratively with the business units’ marketing teams for the business units to further build awareness for and preference for A. O. Smith and its family of brands.
• Social media
  • Develop timely and compelling content that aligns with the overarching business strategy.
  • Engage with online audiences, proactively posting and reactively responding to messages.
• Crisis communications
  • Provide guidance and counsel on crisis communications and issues management, as needed.
• Intern program
  • Manage the PR/Social Media intern, providing daily direction and feedback.
• Develop comprehensive PR and social media campaigns to best support the business units within A. O. Smith.
• Build a coordinated national approach to media relations, leveraging agencies and consultants to deploy.
• Work with cross-functional teams, such as marketing and product development, to best support the needs and future growth of the business.
• Amplify placements across channels, including internally via the internal communications team and externally via AOS’ social and web properties.
• Manage PR content on AOS’ external digital properties, including social channels and websites.
• Monitor, track and analyze communications results to further refine the company’s PR and social media strategy. Create compelling reports with quantitative and qualitative insights.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations or related field
• 7 - 10+ years of related work experience
• Preference given to those with agency and/or manufacturing experience. Agency management experience strongly desired.
• Possess a track record of creating and deploying successful PR campaigns.
• Experience in managing multiple agencies and budgets.
• Possess a range of media contacts and existing relationships.
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of the earned and paid media landscape.
• Proven ability to navigate complex issues and matrixed organizations.
• Proficiency in media monitoring software, such as Cision and Meltwater.
• Some travel required.
• Possess strong written and oral communications skills.
• Able to manage a large number of project and prioritize demands.
• Have a “nose for news” and a working knowledge of best-in-class PR practices.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented.

Education

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.

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ADA Statement & EEO Statement

In developing this job description care was taken to include all competencies needed to successfully perform in this position. However, for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes, the essential functions of the job may or may not have been described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All reasonable accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law.