Senior Manager, External Communications (Contract)

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Manager, External Communications serves as a strategic lead for YPO’s external communications, defining how the organization shows up across digital platforms and key global moments. This role is responsible for shaping YPO’s external narrative, anchoring that narrative through YPO.org, and driving its amplification across social media and other digital channels. Working cross-functionally, this individual ensures YPO’s thought leadership, member insights and brand positioning are translated into cohesive, high-impact external visibility. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring strong strategic thinking, editorial judgment and the ability to influence across a complex, global organization.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

External Channel Strategy and Leadership

• Define and evolve YPO’s external narrative and thought leadership positioning across key audiences.

• Identify priority themes, topics and opportunities that elevate YPO’s voice in global business conversations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and key business objectives.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to translate organizational priorities into compelling external narratives.

YPO.org Content and Experience Leadership

• Own the content and messaging experience of YPO.org as the central platform for YPO’s external narrative.

• Define content priorities and narrative direction for YPO.org, in partnership with the Creative team, who lead content development and editorial execution (including CEO Insights).

• Ensure alignment between website content, brand positioning and thought leadership goals.

• Partner with Membership, Digital Services and Data teams to align content with broader organizational objectives.

• Provide input and recommendations on content performance, SEO considerations and user experience in collaboration with Membership and Digital teams.

Social Media and Distribution Strategy

• Define the role of social media as a distribution and amplification engine for YPO’s external narrative.

• Develop platform strategies that align with thought leadership and visibility goals.

• Build and implement an executive amplification framework to elevate member and leadership voices.

• Provide strategic direction and guidance to the Global Social Media & Community Manager to ensure effective execution.

Flagship Events and Key Moments

• Lead narrative development and digital amplification strategy for YPO’s flagship global events and high-visibility initiatives.

• Direct real-time storytelling approach during events, ensuring high-quality, on-brand execution.

• Coordinate closely with Global Events, Media Relations and Leadership Services to ensure integrated visibility across channels.

Cross-Channel Integration

• Ensure alignment across social media, website content, PR and other external communications channels.

• Translate campaigns and initiatives into cohesive multi-channel visibility strategies.

• Identify opportunities to extend the reach and lifespan of content and thought leadership.

• Develop and maintain frameworks, playbooks and guidance to support consistent execution and alignment across external channels.

Insights and Continuous Improvement

• Define success metrics for external channels in partnership with Data & Insights and Marcoms Operations teams

• Analyze performance trends and synthesize insights to inform strategic direction and decision-making.

• Develop clear reporting frameworks and communicate key insights to stakeholders and leadership.

• Monitor industry trends, emerging platforms and best practices to evolve YPO’s external presence

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Media Relations to amplify earned media across digital channels.

• Collaborate with Leadership Services on executive and Chairman social presence to ensure alignment.

• Work closely with Membership and Digital teams to align messaging and user experience.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders on external visibility and storytelling.

• Work closely with Membership, Digital Services, Data & Insights and Marcoms Operations teams to align messaging, performance insights and user experience across touchpoints.

SKILLS

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate ideas into clear, actionable direction.

• Exceptional storytelling and editorial judgment, with a sharp instinct for what resonates externally.

• Deep understanding of digital ecosystems, content strategy and audience behavior across platforms.

• Ability to connect narrative, channel and audience into cohesive, high-impact execution.

• Confident influencer who can align stakeholders and drive decisions in a complex, global environment.

• High level of judgment and discretion when operating in visible, fast-moving or sensitive situations.

• Comfortable operating in evolving environments, bringing structure, clarity and direction to complex challenges.

• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret performance data and translate insights into strategy.

• Working knowledge of content management systems (e.g., WordPress), with the ability to make content updates and manage basic page changes as needed.

• Working knowledge of SEO, website performance and digital best practices, with the ability to provide informed recommendations and guide content strategy in partnership with relevant teams.

EXPERIENCE/BACKGROUND

• 8–12 years working in external communications, digital strategy, content strategy or related fields.

• Proven ability to shape and elevate brand or thought leadership narratives in a complex or global organization.

• Strong track record of developing integrated, multi-channel strategies that drive visibility and engagement.

• Experience partnering with and presenting to senior leaders and cross-functional teams, with strong presentation skills and the ability to translate priorities into external communications.

• Exposure to high-profile events, campaigns or real-time content environments preferred.

• Familiarity with digital platforms, content ecosystems and evolving audience behaviors.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work flexible and/or extended hours as needed to accommodate members and team members in multiple time zones.

• Willingness and ability to travel, domestically and internationally, without restrictions, approximately 20-25% per year.

This is a 1- year contract engagement with the possibility to renew or convert to an FTE role.

EOE

YPO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. YPO takes pride in supporting a diverse workforce and demonstrates this through its policies and practices. YPO does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.