Sr Manager External Communications

Sr Manager External Communications is responsible for protecting and enhancing the company’s reputation and building trust and support for its vision through strategic external communications. Through a combination of paid, earned and owned media, events and stakeholder engagements, this role leads tactical planning and execution of departmental external communication initiatives in alignment with corporate strategy, while enabling effective media engagement and stakeholder outreach across local, regional and global contexts.

1. Create and distribute public communications, including media releases, speeches, press conferences, external events and other communication materials.

2. Respond to press inquiries and manage media engagements to ensure coherent, timely and effective external messaging.

3. Develop and deploy public relations campaigns to engage regulators, key opinion leaders, investors, civil society and other external stakeholders.

4. Build, nurture and grow relationships with journalists, media representatives and civil society stakeholders to strengthen knowledge, trust and support for the company’s smoke-free ambition.

5. Prepare executive business leaders for media interactions and provide media counsel to ensure consistent delivery of the company’s strategy and vision.

6. Work with different teams to develop the messaging, assets and communication approach needed to drive understanding of corporate initiatives and business strategy.

7. Manage and mentor communication professionals, enabling effective execution of media relations, stakeholder engagement and public relations activities.

8. Resolve non-routine communication challenges through cross-functional collaboration and continuously improve departmental communication processes and standards.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business or a related field.

• 15+ years of solid experience in corporate communications, external communications, public relations, media relations or reputation management, preferably in a complex multinational or matrix organization.

• Fluent in navigating complex local, regional and global media landscapes, with advanced application of stakeholder engagement practices.

• Proven experience in leading and developing teams to achieve measurable results in public relations campaigns and external communication initiatives.

• Strong ability to anticipate communication needs, translate business strategy into external messaging and advise senior stakeholders on media and reputation matters.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address non-routine issues impacting multi-department communication strategies.

• Demonstrated strengths in stakeholder engagement, strategic vision, communication, risk management and collaboration.

• Technical expertise in earned media, press office operations, media counseling, owned media and reputation management.

• Fluent in Korean and English, both written and verbal.