Director of Strategic Market Communications

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the V Team Life.

What you'll be doing…

The Director of Strategic Market Communications will lead Verizon's Great Lakes Market communications team with a strong focus on driving market differentiation to support Verizon's business goals. This role is accountable for crafting, executing, and optimizing local communications strategies that amplify Verizon's brand, enhance visibility, and resonate with the Local Market's unique needs and reporting to the Sr. Director of Market Communications will oversee local external communications, employee engagement, and social media initiatives, ensuring alignment with Verizon's broader priorities and delivering measurable impact across the market.

In this leadership role, you will be responsible for high-level strategic vision and on-the-ground execution, leading complex, cross-functional projects that leverage insights from leadership, Marketing, CSR, Network, Verizon Business Group (VBG), and State Government Affairs (SGA) teams to capitalize on local opportunities. A critical partner to the Market President and local leadership team, you will be tasked with building and managing relationships with local media and key stakeholders to establish Verizon as the preferred choice in the market.

This role requires a collaborative, innovative, and data-driven mindset, with a demonstrated ability to connect multiple business functions and resources efficiently and drive accountability in measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Market Differentiation Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that differentiates Verizon in the Market. Leverage integrated tactics across earned, paid, and owned media channels to create strong, resonant local narratives that support business goals and positively influence public perception.

• External Communications and Relationship Building: Cultivate strong relationships with local media, influencers, and key market stakeholders to build and enhance Verizon's reputation and visibility in the market. Drive strategic storytelling that supports the value Verizon brings to its customers, its network superiority, and community impact, positioning Verizon as the market leader.

• Cross-functional leadership and Project Management: Lead complex, cross-functional projects that draw on resources from Marketing, CSR, Network, VBG, and SGA teams to deliver coordinated, market-specific initiatives. Act as a key decision maker in aligning corporate priorities with local goals, ensuring cohesive messaging and optimal impact of Verizon's investments in the local community.

• Employee Engagement: Establish and drive a robust employee engagement strategy for the Local Market, with defined objectives and measurable outcomes that reinforce Verizon's culture, mission, and impact. Develop engagement KPIs, measure performance, and adapt tactics to deepen employee connection and pride, creating an ambassador-like environment amongst Verizon's V Team.

• Executive Visibility and Thought Leadership: Support the Market President's visibility within the market, positioning them as a thought leader in key industry and community conversations along with media outlets in the market.

• Crisis and Issues Management: Serve as a strategic leader and spokesperson for crisis communications and issues management within the market, ensuring an aligned approach to local issues in coordination with Verizon's corporate and regional teams.

• Resource and Asset Management: Oversee the strategic allocation of communications resources and assets in the market to maximize efficiency and impact.

• Generative AI: Leverage generative AI platforms like Google Gemini to help brainstorm strategy, enhance the creative process, reduce time spent on administrative tasks, enhance writing, and more.

What we're looking for.

You'll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.

• Ten or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

• Experience in journalism, marketing, public relations, communications, or relevant fields.

• Experience managing resources efficiently, with a track record of delivering impactful, data-driven communications within budget.

• Experience in employee engagement, with experience in building frameworks that align employee motivation and interests with organizational goals.

• Experience in developing and managing strategic external communications, with a focus on impactful media relations and storytelling.

• Strong local media relationships in several DMAs within the Market.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field.

• Experience in consumer/lifestyle/technology public relations, media relations, employee communications, or marketing publicity.

• Agency management experience or experience working within an agency environment.

• A strategic, innovative thinker who can lead complex, multi-faceted communications initiatives across diverse teams and drive results.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence across all levels, particularly senior executives.

• Experience working in a highly matrixed environment.

• Bilingual (Spanish) proficiency to support diverse communication needs in a multicultural marketplace.

• Experience in shooting/editing video or managing a team with video production capabilities to create compelling visual storytelling assets.

• A diverse background, cultural competency, and a broad worldview to connect effectively with dynamic local markets.

• Sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive issues with confidentiality.

• Proven success in bringing new consumer tech products or solutions to market through innovative, impactful campaigns.

• Ability to translate complex business issues into strategic communications programs with measurable outcomes.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every 'even better' qualification listed above.

Where you'll be working

In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes wo.