Media and Public Relations Manager

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The Media and Public Relations Manager is a strategic thinker with a global mindset, growing Xylem’s influence in the marketplace, and working with a global network of colleagues to increase Xylem’s impact in external communications – especially earned media and executive positioning. 

The ideal candidate enjoys finding innovative ways to make complex, technical information simple, crisp and compelling. This is a position that has you thinking on your feet every day, multi-tasking fluidly. You'll lead programs in Xylem’s media, PR, executive positioning, and crisis communications capability, globally. You will provide governance, guidance, and mentorship to marketing and communications professionals engaged in each activity.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Deliver integrated PR programs that:

• Ensure Xylem’s disproportionate share of media coverage and stakeholder engagement, relative to competitors.

• Align subject matter, audience and placement with Xylem’s growth strategy and brand.

• Engage media and serve as one of Xylem’s spokespeople, globally

Drive the professionalization of Media Relations by:

• Setting standards, protocols and policy as needed.

• Strengthening external communications discipline throughout the company.

Co-lead Xylem's executive positioning program, including:

• Placing Xylem senior leadership in high-impact industry and business media venues

• Delivering high-quality executive briefings and coaching ahead of media and live engagements

• Writing high-profile executive speeches and prepared remarks

• Providing proactive counsel and agile response in managing emergent issues and crises.

• Developing deep working relationships with communications and marketing professionals across Xylem to increase consistency of external communication activities.

• Counsel senior management on external communications and reputational issues that may reflect on Xylem and/or on which Xylem may have a positive influence.

• Partner with internal communications colleagues to ensure integrated messages and delivery: consistent and coordinated appropriately for both internal and external audiences.

• Develop appropriate metrics to measure the impact of external communications, report on these metrics regularly and build contingency plans when necessary.

• Collaborate with agency partners to optimize ways of working and budget leverage.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Communications, Journalism, English, or related field.

• Eight or more years’ experience in corporate communications, with emphasis on external communications.

• Crisis communication and issues management, with a global purview.

• Effective Communication: 

  • Proven ability to create and implement integrated external communication programs that support a corporate brand and strategic business objectives. 

  • Outstanding writing, editing and oral communication skills.

• Experience with cutting-edge communications practices, technologies, and analytics.

• Media Influence: Proven ability to create leverageable network of relationships with influential journalists and media influencers. 

• Track record of leading a global team and exercising multi-geography influence across both direct and indirect reporting lines.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: 

  • Proven track record of teamwork, innovation, and results.

  • Consummate organizational savvy, with the ability to interact and influence at all levels of an organization. 

  • Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to manage across a matrix organization.

• High ethical standards and an action orientation. 

• Internal Influence:

  • Expertise in counseling senior management and earning respect of peers.

  • Strong relationship development across complex organizations.

• Strategic Business Perspective: Strategic thinking, judgment and sound decision-making are key, with the ability to think clearly and act calmly under pressure.

• Prioritization and Planning: Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and move them to completion, working with a cross-section of colleagues and third-party resources.

Salary range:

$107,100.00 - $192,800.00

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.