Vice President, Corporate Communication, ABC News

Job Summary:ABC News is responsible for all of the ABC Television Network’s news programming, including “World News Tonight with David Muir”, “Nightline”, “Good Morning America”, “GMA DAY”, “20/20,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”, “ABC News Radio”, and satellite service NewsOne. An award-winning team provides the latest information and analysis of major events to bring viewers a big picture understanding of the world.

The Vice President, Corporate Communications for ABC News will oversee the development and management of ABC News brand reputation through external and internal communications strategies in support of the organization’s strategic goals. The VP Corporate Communications will be responsible for the leading the development and execution of communications strategies, thought leadership, corporate messaging, internal communications, public relations, and issues/crisis management relative to the strategic direction of the organization and the management of its image and positioning with employees, stakeholders, press, viewers and the industry. The successful leader will have extensive experience leading a communication function responsible for multi-stakeholder engagement and a comprehensive understanding of how communication activities yield business outcomes. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a track record of driving success in a fast-paced environment, solid relationships with the press, and will have exceptional and effective communication skills. This is a highly visible role reporting to both the Vice President, Corporate Communications for Disney General Entertainment and the President of ABC News.
Responsibilities:

• Develop an integrated communications strategy in line with ABC News business goals that establishes, expands and enhances the organization’s brand awareness and reputation both internally and externally.
• Establish objectives, manage execution and drive key results for communication efforts that shape and promote ABC News with employees, stakeholders, press and the public, and routinely measure success in alignment with broader brand strategies and the vision and goals of leadership.
• Develop key messaging framework and ensure consistent use across all platforms.
• Act as an advisor to leaders across ABC News, providing insights, perspective and counsel on strategies and issues.
• Raise the profile of ABC News and its executives by identifying and securing coverage in key publications and executive participation in prestigious industry events, panels and awards.
• Prepare management for speeches, presentations, talking points and interaction with media, stakeholders and employees.
• Lead the organization’s crisis and issues management efforts, including the development of comprehensive communications plans for strategic initiatives, human resources issues, regulatory concerns, government and labor relations developments, and legal matters.
• Work in complete collaboration with the VP Program Publicity and team on programming content and talent issues as needed.
• Work closely with Human Resources and various teams across the organization to positively influence the ABC News culture and deliver internal communications and support of employee engagement initiatives.
• Provide Investor Relations with quarterly and annual earnings communications and talking points, regulatory reporting, and media prep.
• Develop and maintain key performance highlights and accolades
• Remain abreast of industry developments and news, and communicate marketing intelligence and insights to the leadership team.
• Recruit, manage and inspire the ABC News Corporate Communications team to support the development and execution of the communications strategy.
• Align with and support broader initiatives, priorities and values of The Walt Disney Company.

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience overseeing corporate communications strategy and execution
• Crisis communications experience managing messaging and brand reputation
• Ability to establish strategies, effectively executive, and innovate as needed to achieve the optimal outcome.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to grasp and translate complex and disparate ideas into a cohesive editorial with clear key messaging.
• Ability to influence senior leaders using sound judgment, wisdom and sensitivity.
• An inclusive leader with demonstrated experience guiding, motivating and developing top talent
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs
• Fluent in digital communication mediums and multi-channel communications strategies
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, PowerPoint and/or Keynote

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal candidate will have working experience in Communications in a News organization.
• Superior operational execution in development of plans, milestones and metrics that align with business objectives.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and varying priorities to maintain alignment on vision, strategy, and performance to goals.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively optimize the outcome through a focused hypothesis, thoughtful plan, creative execution, analytical feedback, critical thinking, solutions orientation, and agile adjustment.
• A dedication to transparency of the journey and use of iterative cycles to support continuous learning and improve outcomes.
• Sets a high bar for results through repeatable, sustainable processes.
• Persuasiveness and the ability to logically make a case that helps others arrive at the right decision for the business; shows persistence in raising issues to the proper levels for attention.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degrees from an accredited university, or equivalent work experience in communications, journalism, media relations or related field

Preferred Education

• MBA is preferred

Additional Information:

• Due to the nature of news, the ability to address urgent issues at times outside the traditional workday
• Occasional overnight travel