Director, Public Relations and Social Media

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, passionate and results-driven public relations and social media director. Reporting to the global head of corporate communications, this newly created role will develop and implement strategic external communications programs across the organization. The leader will be responsible for enhancing the Company’s reputation with external stakeholders. This position will be responsible for building and cultivating relationships with automotive, technology, business, and other industry journalists/influencers in both traditional and social outlets in line with business priorities.

Priorities will include developing and implementing critical strategies such as mapping organization-wide external content, engaging in proactive media and influencer relations, defining multi-platform social media conversations, and elevating executive and subject-matter-expert visibility with earned thought leadership programming. This role requires a passionate storyteller who can craft compelling communications and deliver impactful messaging – with a holistic perspective. The director will own critical projects from design to implementation to achieving and regularly reporting results.

The external communications director will work in close partnership with communications business partners across the organization to share and amplify news with employees that will help build a network of engaged brand ambassadors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop impactful and innovative external messages to drive awareness and continuously protect and improve reputation 
• Develop and implement an external communications strategy to help improve organization reputation and elevate brand visibility 
• Partner with communications business partners to devise a holistic content strategy that includes educating and energizing employees on the Company’s strategic business objectives and key messages 
• Proactively compose and issue press releases on a variety of news, programs, corporate partnerships, and initiatives 
• Develop and manage thought leadership initiatives including content development, speakers’ bureau activity, and multi-platform amplification 
• Test and optimize external channels outside of email, including, video, podcasts, social, and new technology 
• Interface with, and provide external communications strategy and support for, various groups including Sales, Customer Experience, Product and Technology, and other key areas 
• Work with internal and external agency partners and Creative team members to ensure internal brand consistency across the Company 
• Support crisis communications, M&A and other organization-wide initiatives as needed

Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree, plus 12+ years of business communications, public relations and, social media experience 
• Exceptional verbal and written (AP Style) communications, interviewing and editing skills 
• Strong planning, project management, and collaboration skills 
• Proven experience in creating a holistic content strategy for a large, global, organization 
• Skilled at influencing leaders and executives across an organization 
• Knowledge of varied communication delivery vehicles to reach key stakeholders, including social tools and media measurement platforms 
• Prior corporate, public relations or business communications agency experience strongly preferred 
• Positive, driven, and energetic team player; able to roll-up his/her sleeves to get the job done. 
• Strategic thinker and strong implementer 
• Proven ability to clearly and succinctly develop powerful communications that will resonate with all stakeholders; leaders, employees, influencers. 
• Business acumen a plus
• Proven ability to drive change in an organization to achieve business results 
• Passion and spark for helping to create a winning CDK culture 
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours as needed

CDK Global knows you have passions outside of work. You have family, friends, sporting events, and lots of things going on. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to not only take care of you but your family as well. All of our benefits are effective the first day of employment including 401K matching, paid time off to re-energize, donate your time to volunteer in your community, and tuition reimbursement to name a few.

At CDK, we pride ourselves on having a diverse workforce. We value and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals and the different perspectivesthey provide. We offer equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, or protected veteran status.