PR & Communications Senior Manager

The Communications Senior Manager works across all three pods to drive the team's priority projects, keep the roadmap moving, and make sure our media, brand, and executive communications work is coordinated rather than duplicated. This role has significant hands-on accountability for media and PR execution, and steps in as the senior communications decision-maker when the Senior Director is unavailable. This is a high-visibility role for a communications professional who has built a career across the full breadth of corporate communications, internal and external alike: pitching and placing national media, leading internal and digital communications, shaping brand and reputation strategy, leading through a crisis, and preparing executives to communicate under pressure.

Responsibilities

Own and drive the Corporate Communications roadmap, working across the Media, Channels, and Enablement pods to keep priority projects and campaigns moving; Partner with pod leads on annual planning, campaign calendars, and cross-functional initiatives; Shape national media and brand strategy that elevates Stride and our schools across education, consumer, and trade media; Guide how the team builds reputation across earned media, owned channels, and emerging surfaces like AI and generative search; Prepare executives and subject matter experts to be credible, confident spokespeople; Lead crisis and issues communications planning, response, and recovery in partnership with the Senior Director; Serve as the senior communications decision-maker during crisis situations when the Senior Director is unavailable; Lead without direct authority: set direction for pod members on cross-team initiatives, hold people accountable to deadlines and quality, and develop the team's capability along the way; Manage external PR agencies and consultants to ensure their work aligns with strategy and delivers measurable impact

Requirements

7-10+ years of corporate communications experience spanning national media strategy, internal communications, brand and reputation, executive communications, and crisis communications; Working knowledge of how PR and earned media influence AI-driven search, summaries, and generative platforms, and a clear point of view on how that is reshaping brand visibility and reputation; Demonstrated success designing and leading large scale media programs, with the ability to speak to measurable outcomes such as share of voice, message pull-through, and reputation metrics; Experience managing external agencies and cross-functional or matrixed teams; Experience developing and coaching communications talent; Bachelor's degree required; Ability to travel up to 20% of the time; Ability to clear required background check.

Nice to have

Experience in K-12, higher education, or another highly regulated, mission-driven consumer sector strongly preferred; Experience at a publicly traded company a plus; Advanced degree a plus

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive a bonus; Health benefits; Retirement contributions; Paid time off