The U.S. External Communications & Recognition Manager is responsible for supporting and executing Lockton's external communications priorities across earned media, awards and rankings, and communications operations. This role plays a critical part in helping amplify Lockton's expertise, protecting and enhancing the firm's reputation, and ensuring communications activities are delivered consistently and efficiently.

The Manager works closely with the Director of Executive and External Communications, subject matter experts, regional marketing and communications teams, business leaders, and external agency partners. This is a highly collaborative, execution-focused role that requires strong project management skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities
Earned Media Support & Execution (primary duty)
•    Draft and edit external communications materials, including: Press releases, Media pitches, Fact sheets, Messaging documents, Executive biographies and talking points
•    Develop and maintain targeted media lists across industry, trade, business, and national media outlets.
•    Support proactive and reactive media outreach efforts in partnership with external communications leadership and agency partners.
•    Coordinate press release distribution and associated logistics.
•    Monitor and track earned media coverage and maintain coverage reporting dashboards and trackers.
•    Assist with media opportunity management, including coordinating interviews, briefing materials, and follow-up activities.
•    Maintain the external communications editorial calendar, ensuring visibility into upcoming thought leadership, announcements, and media opportunities.
•    Monitor industry, competitor, and media trends to identify relevant communications opportunities.

Awards & Rankings Management (primary duty)
•    Manage the annual awards and rankings calendar, including national, regional, business, industry, employer, and executive recognition opportunities.
•    Identify and evaluate new awards and rankings opportunities aligned with business priorities.
•    Coordinate with regional marketing and communications teams to gather information, content, and supporting materials for submissions.
•    Lead the development, drafting, editing, and submission of award applications and nominations.
•    Maintain centralized tracking tools and reporting for all awards and rankings activities.
•    Monitor submission deadlines, results, and recognition announcements.
•    Develop and execute communications plans to promote award and ranking wins across appropriate internal, external, social media, and owned channels.

Executive Visibility Support
•    Partner with the Director of Executive and External Communications to execute executive visibility plans for designated U.S. leaders and subject matter experts.
•    Assist with the preparation of executive materials, including: Speaker biographies, Presentation abstracts and session proposals, Speaking engagement briefing materials, Key messages and talking points, and Q&A preparation documents.
•    Draft and coordinate executive LinkedIn content and social media support in partnership with leaders and agency partners.
•    Coordinate logistics and communications support surrounding executive appearances and visibility opportunities as needed.
•    Support measurement and reporting of executive visibility outcomes and program effectiveness.

Communications Operations & Project Management
•    Maintain organization and governance of the shared communications team workspace, files, templates, and resources.
•    Develop recurring reports and summaries highlighting communications activity, results, and impact for leadership audiences.
•    Support communications measurement and reporting processes.
•    Serve as backup support for daily media monitoring and news reporting activities.
•    Support internal communications efforts as needed across the team. 
•    Help track external communications projects, deadlines, and workflows to ensure initiatives remain on schedule.
•    Support budget tracking, vendor coordination, and other administrative responsibilities as assigned.
•    Identify opportunities to improve communications processes, tools, and team operations.

•    4-5 years of experience in public relations, external communications, corporate communications, or a related field.
•    Experience supporting media relations programs, earned media campaigns, or public relations initiatives.
•    Experience managing awards, rankings, recognition programs, or corporate submissions preferred.
•    Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to tailor content for different audiences.
•    Exceptional project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
•    Experience managing multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and competing priorities. PR agency experience a plus. 
•    Familiarity with media databases, media monitoring tools, communications reporting, and editorial calendars.
•    Experience working with communications agencies and external partners preferred.
•    Proficiency with Microsoft Office and communications collaboration tools.
•    Experience in a professional services, financial services, insurance, or consulting organization a plus.

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