Company Description

Who we are:

Collaborative. Respectful. A place to dream and do. These are just a few words that describe what life is like at Toyota. As one of the world’s most admired brands, Toyota is growing and leading the future of mobility through innovative, high-quality solutions designed to enhance lives and delight those we serve. We’re looking for diverse, talented team members who want to grow and start their impossible with us.

Position Description

Who we’re looking for:

Toyota’s Corporate Communications Department is looking for a passionate and highly-motivated External Communications Manager.

The primary responsibility of this role is developing messaging in support of Toyota’s business initiatives while helping to ensure that the company speaks with “one voice”. Areas of focus for this role include frequent interaction with media and influencers in a variety of areas including company sales, industry issues and corporate programs. Communication methods used in this position include press releases, visual assets, messaging documents Q&As, pitch letters and events.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of External Communications, the person in this role will support the department’s objective by developing, coordinating, and communicating strategic messages to the media. The External Communications Manager often serves as the voice of the company to maximize positive media coverage, as well as minimize negative media coverage, by effectively developing and sharing corporate messaging.

Position Requirements

What you’ll be doing:

Executing and monitoring daily activities/responsibilities in the following areas:

Developing/updating/maintaining and electronically distributing the Business Communications calendar, necessary press releases, media lists, media coverage reports, weekly activity summaries

Managing daily media requests, responding quickly and thoroughly

Coordinating monthly media sales reporting planning activity, including the quarterly conference call with senior executives

Thoroughly researching and preparing various executive and management interview briefing reports

Revising, tracking, and monitoring the media relations budget (monthly & annually) and performance against the annual planning process

Arranging for media training for senior executives and team members and Toyota region or Lexus area offices

Managing and evaluating all national business communications and messaging, ensuring dissemination to all designated and appropriate Toyota management and generating proactive, positive exposure, enhancing Toyota and Lexus product and brand image, while mitigating critical news

Collaborating and coordinating the delivery of corporate and social messaging, special events and crisis communications with the entire Corporate Communications team, including: Social Media, press/newsroom (Legal, Fast Facts, etc.) and internal communications groups (Toyota and Lexus Product PR, Field Communications)

Help support Toyota’s corporate citizenship initiatives in North Texas by collaborating with elected officials, business leaders and non-profits

Managing development, coordination and execution of necessary national press conferences

Outlining and scripting key executive external speeches and presentations for various national media interviews/public speaking requests, panel/roundtable discussions, tier 1 auto shows and local media/press associations

Outlining and scripting key executive monthly media sales report out

Managing the key strategic corporate business messages and planning, coordinating and evaluating the scheduling and staffing of media interviews at auto shows

Identifying, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with various (business, automotive trade, consumer, social) traditional and nontraditional regional media outlets

Identifying, proposing and instituting new media technology and media coverage monitoring/reporting/metrics

Annually updating and securing signatures for contracts (Master Service Agreement/Statement of Work) for Business Communications external supplier partners (Event management companies, PR agencies, etc.) and applicable monthly invoice review and approval
What you bring

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or closely related field
Solid and relevant PR experience (Corporate Communications, product launches, media relations, etc.)
Proven media relations in the automotive sector and other relevant relationships
Supervisory and/or management experience
Strong knowledge of automotive business and industry related issues
Ability to answer media questions regarding the company
Experience writing press releases in journalistic Associated Press (AP) style
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail
Great collaborative skills and the ability to develop relationships and locate information sources across the company
Ability to work with tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment remaining calm and patient under challenging circumstances
Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Added bonus if you have
Advanced degree in a closely related field
Extensive experience within the automotive industry in media relations

What we’ll bring
During your interview process, our team can fill you in on all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:

A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility and respect

Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement

Vehicle purchase & lease programs

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family

Flextime and virtual work options (if applicable)

Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, as well as an annual retirement contribution from Toyota regardless of whether you contribute

Paid holidays and paid time off

Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, child care, schools and more

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance (if applicable)

What you should know
Our success begins and ends with our people. We embrace diverse perspectives and value unique human experiences. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that celebrates the diversity of the communities where we live and do business. Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.
Have a question or need assistance with your application? Check out the How to Apply section of our careers page on Toyota.com

To save time applying, Toyota does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this position at this time.