Director, External Communications

The Director, External Communications will lead CyrusOne's external communications strategy across national, industry and local markets. This role is responsible for media relations and public relations, local and community communications, corporate reputation, issues and crisis communications, executive media engagement, and management of CyrusOne's external PR agency.
The ideal candidate is an experienced communications leader with exceptional judgment, strong media instincts and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, highly visible industry. This individual will help CyrusOne proactively tell its story, strengthen relationships with key media, anticipate and manage emerging issues, and navigate complex communications surrounding the continued growth of digital infrastructure.
The Director will serve as a senior communications advisor and work closely with the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Corporate Communications, Community Affairs, Government Affairs, Legal, Development, Operations, Finance, and executive leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Media Relations & Public Relations
Lead CyrusOne's external media relations and PR strategy across national, business, trade, technology, infrastructure, energy and local media.
Serve as the primary internal communications lead for proactive and reactive media engagement.
Build and maintain strong relationships with national, industry, regional and local journalists.
Identify proactive opportunities to strengthen CyrusOne's visibility, credibility and industry positioning.
Develop media strategies, messaging, Q&A, talking points, briefing materials and other external communications.
Oversee media inquiries received through press@cyrusone.com, ensuring appropriate internal coordination, escalation and response.
Provide strategic communications counsel surrounding significant company announcements, partnerships, milestones and business developments.
Ensure national and local communications strategies work together to support CyrusOne's broader corporate narrative.
Local & Community Communications
Develop and execute localized communications strategies across CyrusOne's development and operating markets.
Lead local and regional media engagement related to CyrusOne projects and operations.
Build relationships with reporters and other relevant media in priority local markets.
Develop locally relevant narratives around economic development, jobs, community investment, infrastructure, power, water, environmental considerations and other issues important to local stakeholders.
Partner closely with Community Affairs, Government Affairs, Development, Operations and Legal to ensure communications reflect the specific context of each market.
Identify proactive opportunities to tell CyrusOne's story through local media and credible third-party voices.
Monitor local media, public narratives and emerging issues in priority markets.
Develop communications strategies when misinformation, organized opposition or other community concerns begin affecting CyrusOne's external reputation.
Support communications surrounding major local project milestones and community-facing initiatives.
Reputation, Issues & Crisis Communications
Develop and execute strategies to strengthen and protect CyrusOne's corporate reputation.
Monitor the external environment for emerging issues, reputational risks, misinformation and communications opportunities.
Anticipate potential issues and develop proactive communications strategies before they escalate.
Lead external communications strategy and response for complex, sensitive or high-profile issues.
Lead crisis communications planning, preparedness and external response.
Maintain crisis communications protocols, messaging frameworks and escalation procedures.
Develop holding statements, reactive messaging, executive talking points, Q&A and other crisis materials.
Provide senior communications counsel during fast-moving situations requiring sound judgment and rapid decision-making.
Partner closely with Legal and appropriate business leaders to ensure communications are accurate, coordinated and appropriately managed.
Executive & Corporate External Communications
Prepare executives and other company spokespersons for media interviews and high-profile external engagements.
Develop media briefing materials, anticipated Q&A, external talking points and interview preparation.
Lead media training and spokesperson preparation.
Partner with Corporate Communications on executive positioning and thought-leadership strategy.
Identify earned-media opportunities that strengthen CyrusOne's corporate and executive visibility.
Support external thought leadership, including media interviews, commentary and bylined content where earned-media placement is involved.
Provide external communications counsel surrounding major corporate developments and transactions.
Partner with Corporate Communications, Finance, Investor Relations and Legal on external communications and media strategy associated with potential IPO, capital-markets or public-company activity.
External Affairs Communications Partnership
Partner with Government Affairs, Community Affairs, Legal and other functions to ensure external communications appropriately reflect relevant policy, regulatory and stakeholder considerations.
Translate complex energy, infrastructure, regulatory and established public-policy positions into clear and credible external messaging when communications support is needed.
Support Government Affairs with media strategy, messaging, talking points and executive preparation related to priority external issues.
Monitor media narratives around energy, infrastructure, regulation and other matters affecting CyrusOne and identify potential communications risks and opportunities.
Develop relationships with relevant energy, infrastructure and policy journalists as part of the broader media-relations program.
Support communications associated with industry organizations, coalitions or public-policy initiatives as appropriate.
Agency Leadership & Management
Serve as the primary day-to-day leader of CyrusOne's relationship with FGS, the company's external PR agency.
Set agency priorities, strategy, briefs, deliverables and performance expectations.
Direct FGS's execution of national media relations, proactive PR campaigns, press releases and distribution.
Ensure agency resources are focused on CyrusOne's highest-priority communications and business objectives.
Coordinate FGS's work with CyrusOne's internal Marketing, Corporate Communications and External Affairs functions.
Determine when additional local or specialized communications resources are needed and coordinate those resources as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
10+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations or corporate affairs.
Experience in data center industry
Proven track record developing and executing successful external communications and media-relations strategies.
Significant experience working with national, business, trade and/or local media.
Demonstrated experience managing corporate reputation, complex issues and crisis communications.
Strong understanding of how national and local communications strategies work together, particularly for companies operating across multiple markets.
Proven ability to advise C-suite executives and senior leaders on high-profile external communications matters.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex business or technical subjects into clear, credible and compelling external communications.
Experience managing external PR agencies and holding agency partners accountable for strategic and measurable results.
Exceptional writing, editing, messaging and verbal communication skills.
Excellent judgment and the ability to operate independently in fast-moving, sensitive and high-scrutiny situations.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with Legal, Community Affairs, Government Affairs, Operations, Development and executive leadership.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously while maintaining strategic perspective.
Preferred
Experience managing communications surrounding infrastructure development, siting, community concerns or other locally sensitive projects.
Experience communicating complex energy, infrastructure, environmental, regulatory or public-policy issues.
Media training and spokesperson-preparation experience.
Experience managing communications across multiple geographic markets.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business; or equivalent industry experience.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Hybrid work schedule with regular in-office presence required at the Dallas headquarters. Travel will be required based on business, media, community and crisis communications needs.