Director, External Corporate Communications

Signature Aviation is seeking a strategic, hands-on communications leader to build and lead a modern external communications newsroom. This role will set a proactive editorial agenda, uncover compelling stories across the business and bring them to life through earned media, corporate social channels, executive visibility and thought leadership.

The Director will connect Signature’s strategy, investments, people and industry leadership to the issues that matter most to customers, airports, communities and other stakeholders. Equal parts editor, strategist and trusted advisor, this leader will build a high-performing team and help protect and strengthen Signature’s reputation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Build and Lead the Newsroom

• Create an integrated newsroom model with a clear editorial calendar, story pipeline, content priorities and rapid-response capabilities.

• Partner across the business to identify newsworthy developments and turn complex topics into timely, engaging stories.

• Lead coordinated storytelling across earned media, LinkedIn, executive platforms and other corporate channels.

Drive Media Relations and Thought Leadership

• Set a proactive media strategy and cultivate relationships with aviation, business, national and trade journalists.

• Lead major announcements, media outreach, executive interviews, speaking opportunities and thought leadership.

• Advise and prepare senior executives to communicate Signature’s strategy and perspective with credibility.

Protect and Strengthen Reputation

• Anticipate emerging issues, monitor external conversations and guide communications on sensitive matters.

• Lead issues and crisis communications in partnership with Legal, Operations, Safety, Government Relations and other teams.

• Use audience insights and media intelligence to shape narratives, manage risk and identify opportunities.

Lead People, Partnerships and Performance

• Build, coach and lead a high-performing external communications team and agency partners.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Employee Communications, Community Impact and business leaders to align messaging and execution.

• Set measurable goals and assess story quality, engagement, coverage, share of voice and reputational impact.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

• 10+ years in corporate communications, journalism, public relations or related fields, including team leadership.

• Proven ability to run a proactive editorial operation, generate strong stories and deliver across media and digital channels.

• Deep experience in media relations, executive counsel, issues and crisis communications.

• Exceptional editorial judgment, writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to move from strategy to execution.

• Strong business acumen, collaborative leadership and sound judgment under pressure.

• Experience in aviation, transportation, hospitality, infrastructure or another complex, operationally intensive industry preferred.