Global Head of Communications - New York, NY

Position Summary

The Global Head of Communications serves as CRH's senior adviser to the global leadership team (GLT), and senior business operating leaders regarding corporate reputation, issues and crisis management, executive communications and visibility and digital communication strategy, and employee engagement, as required.  S/he also serves as a functional thought leader, coach and counselor to a corporate team of communications professionals and an expanded team of communications professionals embedded in CRH's operating businesses.

The Global Head of Communications will develop and lead innovative, high-impact corporate communication and messaging strategies that directly support the CRH global corporate business strategy, culture, and contribute to business growth, investor and capital markets visibility and awareness, employee recruiting, and increased brand strength.  Importantly, this new leader will develop a clear understanding of CRH's business strategy, market positioning and operating priorities; make a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the communications function; and develop a results-oriented plan to create additional value. The new leader will also lead the effort to align internal stakeholders and better coordinate messaging and professional development across all divisions and functions.

This proven leader will develop, lead and inspire a corporate team of professionals and serve as a functional leader to professionals in operating business units to increase the impact of internal and external communications.  S/he will provide functional support, guidance and leverage to a community of communications and marketing professionals embedded in CRH's commercial operating businesses.  S/he will develop and promote world-class best practices in media relations, digital and social media strategy, employee engagement, crisis and issues management, and the engagement of external stakeholders and influencers including customers, industry analysts, investors, industry leaders, and others.

Importantly, this executive will provide strong leadership for the function, including attracting world-class talent and providing career development, motivation, and inspiration to exceed expectations with the aim of creating a world-class communications function that is second to none in the industry.

This unique opportunity provides extraordinary potential for impact and career growth within a dynamic and growing global enterprise.  The role will be based in CRH's corporate offices in New York City.  

Job Responsibilities

• Learn, master and embrace CRH's business strategy and global operations, and provide leadership and direct action that supports key initiatives and overall objectives.

• Provide advice, counsel and direct support to the members of the global leadership team and operating business leaders.

• Evaluate existing corporate communication processes and talent, and ensure the organization is well equipped to provide direct support, counsel, collaboration, and where appropriate resources to enable the expanded enterprise-wide communications function to support business objectives.

• Continually work to develop talent, create career opportunities and attract new talent to the organization that upgrades capabilities and impact.

• Develop and lead a well-informed, thoughtful external communication strategy that engages key media, leverages social and digital media, and embraces digital influencers in telling the CRH story and supporting reputation and awareness objectives.

• Collaborate with investor relations on messaging and communications support for quarterly earnings and special events.

• Partner with human resources on employee messaging and engagement strategies with the objective of building a powerful and attractive employer brand across a multigenerational workforce, and deliver direct communications support for employee programs and initiatives.  Consistently provide communication support that educates and informs, supports employee morale, and reinforces CRH culture and values.

• Serve as a spokesperson for CRH, and develop relationships of trust, confidence and mutual cooperation with business, trade and digital media influencers.

• Develop and maintain highly effective crisis and issues management processes, and manage events as required.

• Develop methods to measure reputation, image, awareness and favorability trends with internal and external stakeholders and influencers, and lead external and internal communication strategies that leverage positive trends and address opportunity areas.

• Create strategies that enhance the reputation of CRH as a thought leader in global infrastructure and business circles.

• Develop a network of external influencers to help tell the CRH story and support key messaging initiatives.

• Build and maintain an effective digital footprint for CRH that reaches investors, customers, influencers and employees, including content curation.

• Develop strategies and provide hands-on support as required that maximizes the impact and value of industry events, product and partner announcements, investor days, trade shows, and other external events.

• Represent CRH in the Americas business community and in worldwide business circles, ensuring that the company is respected, understood, and considered a good corporate citizen.

• Develop a department budget and manage within expectations.  Demonstrate return on investment.

Job Requirements

• Proven experience leading a global communications team in a competitive international business environment.

• Record of building relationships of trust and confidence with top business leaders in a high-performance environment, and direct experience providing advice, counsel, coaching and hands-on support to executives at the GLT level.

• Direct experience leading a team of corporate communications professionals in multiple geographic locations, and providing development, inspiration and clear direction.

• Hands-on experience with media relations, crisis management and reputation protection, with an existing network of top-tier media relationships.

• Proven success operating effectively in an autonomous environment and building strong relationships across a global enterprise.

• Demonstrated success in enabling a strong employer brand for a global enterprise.

• Bachelor degree required, advanced degree an advantage.

Salary Details

• $300,000+