Director Media Relations

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for designing and executing communications programs to elevate awareness externally of Gallagher’s position as a premier global insurance and risk management intermediary and will serve a lead role in establishing a proactive media relations practice for Gallagher as a way to promote and safeguard The Company’s brand and reputation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Key areas of focus are content development, brand awareness, training/coaching, and monitoring and measurement. Responsibilities include creating and managing communications programs on matters of broad reputational importance including messaging and strategies related to reputational issues that could adversely impact the company, developing media relations programs and communications that inform and equip employees to communicate effectively to clients and prospects about key company news and issues, and reviewing and establishing corporate media relations guidelines, policies and governance structure to ensure consistency of external messaging across businesses and geographic regions, in addition to serving as a primary spokesperson for the company with media and responding to media requests.

Additional Considerations:

• Supports strategic corporate communications efforts. 
• Works with global practice and division stakeholders to develop media plan strategies to elevate spokespeople and key messages to build brand awareness. 
• Works with our industry experts on thought leadership ideas from inception to final product. 
• Promotes interviews/articles of SMEs on social media. 
• Connects and manage media relationships for corporate and global brokerage practices/divisions, including editors/reporters from various industry and vertical trade publications, as well as news outlets. 
• Generates and edits press releases, media briefing books, fact sheets, bylined articles, Q&As, award submissions. 
• Develops creative, compelling and timely media pitches. 
• Leverages Meltwater, a media monitoring and media intelligence service that enables Gallagher to further build its brand. 
• Divisions: Corp, GGB Global Practices, RPS, GB

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree 
• Minimum of 8 years media relations or general communications experience, direct experience managing communication professionals, experience and comfort functioning as a senior communications counselor for senior leaders on both proactive topics as well as issues management 
• Expert conflict resolution skills 
• Propensity to apply considerable judgment, analysis, and initiative to make recommendations and resolve problems 
• Strong work ethic and ability to work unpredictable hours when necessary, as well as be available for travel

Desired:

• Master's Degree 
• Diversity of experience and thought leadership along with excellent interpersonal skills, 
• Excellent poise and presentation skills; 
• Possess knowledge and gravitas to function as spokesperson for The Company, 
• Experience working with and influencing senior leaders and business partners by providing guidance and direction on communications activities, and 
• Ideally will have worked in insurance, financial services or professional services industry.

Work Traits:

Critical thinker and self-starter who is willing to work proactively to identify key business priorities, opportunities and threats, and work across teams to implement the necessary solution, ability to balance multiple demands and competing priorities, and ability to build relationships and credibility across the organization.

Gallagher offers competitive salaries and benefits, including: medical/dental/vision plans, life and accident insurance, 401(K), employee stock purchase plan, educational expense reimbursement, employee assistance program, flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function) training programs, matching gift program, and more.