Sr. Communications Manager

Requisition 38127: B4 - Sr Communications Manager 

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Job Description

The Sr. Communications Manager will drive proactive communication campaigns to tell Norfolk Southern’s story to external stakeholders, reporting to the AVP of Strategic External Communications. Responsible for day-to-day media relations and increasing awareness of the company’s work in the communities it serves, as well as in the areas of Technology and Innovation, Philanthropic Giving, and Sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Lead proactive communications and strategic storytelling efforts for Norfolk Southern in the areas of Innovation/Technology, Community Engagement and Foundation, and Environment/Sustainability.
• Partner with peers on external communications team to assist in development of earned media strategies and pitching of media to support priority corporate initiatives.
• Liaison with internal communications team in support of Operations, Safety and Workforce storytelling efforts to maximize overall impact and campaign results.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Sustainability Officer and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Government Relations team to support stakeholder engagement.
• Assist AVP of Strategic External Communications with development and execution of proactive and reactive communications plans.
• Manage and respond to incoming media inquiries in a timely manner.
• Serve as media spokesperson as required.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, mass communication, or related area.
• Minimum of 7 years communication experience in a corporate, political, or agency setting.
• Possesses strong writing skills with ability to take complex concepts and corporate vernacular into easily digestible stories that resonate with key audiences.
• Expertise among various communication disciplines, including media relations.
• On-the-record experience as a media spokesperson.
• Comfortable working on tight deadlines and possesses a strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrates a high degree of interpersonal and organizational savvy; builds networks and collaborates effectively to influence outcomes and achieve results.
• Exhibits a high comfort level driving action in ambiguous or evolving situations; processes new information quickly and adjusts strategies accordingly; displays situational adaptability.
• Takes initiative to identify new processes and ways of working that creates efficiency and delivers positive results for the brand.
• Possesses excellent professional maturity, sound judgement, good analytical skills, and the ability to make quality decisions to protect the company's reputation when necessary.
• Displays a solid understanding of the use of communication research, measurement, and data analytics in the development of communication strategies.
• Possesses the journalistic instincts and creative ability to identify and tell compelling stories that move the business forward.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior company leaders and business peers.

Work Conditions

Environment: Hybrid (Atlanta, GA) ShiftWork: No On-Call: Yes Weekend Work: No Travel Required: 0 - 2 Days per Month

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.