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At Sunrise Senior Living, we believe meaningful work starts with purpose. Our team members are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of residents every day.
Sunrise Senior Living is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead corporate communications, media relations, thought leadership, and reputation management. This strategic leader will shape Sunrise’s market narrative, strengthen brand awareness, position executives as industry authorities, and support strategic growth, business development, M&A, and investor communications.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Development, Growth, Marketing Communications, and M&A initiatives with strategic messaging and external communications.
- Develop and execute an integrated external communications and corporate communications strategy aligned with business and growth objectives.
- Build compelling corporate narratives and messaging that differentiate Sunrise and establish category leadership.
- Lead media relations, public relations, earned media, thought leadership, and executive positioning across business, industry, and financial media.
- Build relationships with journalists, analysts, industry influencers, and key external stakeholders.
- Lead crisis communications, issues management, reputation management, and rapid-response strategies in partnership with Legal and executive leadership.
- Partner with Finance and senior leadership on financial and investor communications, acquisitions, corporate announcements, and market-moving initiatives.
- Develop executive thought leadership, including op-eds, speaking opportunities, media appearances, and industry recognition.
- Manage PR agencies, communications vendors, budgets, KPIs, and program performance.
- Establish communications analytics and reporting to measure media coverage, brand perception, stakeholder engagement, investor sentiment, and ROI.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required.
- 10+ years of progressive corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications experience.
- Experience with financial and investor communications and communicating complex business and financial information.
- Demonstrated success developing external communications strategies and shaping corporate narratives.
- Strong experience with media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, executive communications, and reputation management.
- Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills.
- Experience managing PR agencies, vendors, budgets, and strategic communications programs.
- Strong analytical and business acumen with experience measuring communications effectiveness and ROI.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly visible corporate environment and influence senior executives.
Director, External & Financial Communications | Corporate Communications | Media Relations | PR
Pay Range:175,013.33 - 218,766.66
Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals – at work and in your life.
We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
Retirement Savings Plans
Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
Tuition Reimbursement
In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses. The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee’s position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
Some benefits have eligibility requirements
Sunrise Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field
- 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, media relations, or strategic communications
- Experience with financial and investor communications and communicating complex business and financial information
- Success developing external communications strategies and shaping corporate narratives
- Experience with media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, executive communications, and reputation management
- Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and executive communication skills
- Experience managing PR agencies, vendors, budgets, and strategic communications programs
- Strong analytical and business acumen, including experience measuring communications effectiveness and return on investment
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly visible corporate environment and influence senior executives
Sunrise Senior Living Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Sunrise Senior Living and has not been reviewed or approved by Sunrise Senior Living.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision options, alongside disability coverage and an EAP. Benefit eligibility is often framed as relatively quick for eligible employees, which can increase perceived value early in tenure.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits include a 401(k) with company match and automatic enrollment, signaling structured support for long-term saving. The availability of tax-advantaged accounts (FSA/HSA) further strengthens the overall retirement/financial-wellness package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Earned-wage access (myFlexPay/DailyPay) and perks like commuter benefits and employee discounts provide practical day-to-day support. Tuition reimbursement and training-oriented rewards also add non-cash value that can partially offset base-pay concerns for some roles.
Sunrise Senior Living Insights
What We Do
Beginning with a single community in 1981, Sunrise Senior Living has grown to more than 270 communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Each of our communities continues the mission laid out by founders Paul and Terry Klaassen more than 40 years ago: to champion quality of life for all seniors. Join Our Team: At Sunrise Senior Living, our team members are at the heart of what sets us apart. We offer a unique, challenging, and rewarding work environment with competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and opportunities for both personal and professional growth. The relationships and bonds you will create with residents highlight meaningful ways to serve, grow, and shine together. A Career That PositivelyShines: Every resident needs a dedicated, compassionate, and experienced team around them. They also need a warm sense of companionship, opportunities to explore their interests, and moments of togetherness that bring laughter and joy. When you join our team, whether as a caregiver, culinary professional, maintenance expert, or in any other role, you'll play a vital part in creating an environment where longer, healthier, and happier lives are celebrated. This is what makes working at Sunrise truly special. Locations: With more than 270 communities and Community Support Offices located in McLean, Virginia, career opportunities can be found almost everywhere. To view our current openings and learn more about the exciting career opportunities available at Sunrise, please visit our careers page at: www.sunrise-careers.com This is your chance to make a bigger impact than you ever imagined. How will you brighten the future?
