Head of Public Relations and Communications

The Senior Manager, Public Relations and Executive Communications develops and executes proactive public relations and thought leadership strategies to elevate CarMax senior leaders and strategic business initiatives with priority stakeholders. This individual serves as a trusted communications advisor to senior leaders and other selected spokespersons, and oversees communications strategy and execution for company announcements, top tier media opportunities, national conferences, and investor relations communications. This position serves as strategic communications counsel for complex business issues and at times provides crisis/issues management communications support.
Work Location and Arrangement: This role will be based out of the CarMax Home Office in Richmond, VA.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Develop and advance the executive communications and corporate PR strategy to meet CarMax's strategic priorities, align with emerging media trends, and evolve with stakeholder expectations.
Recommend strategic communications approaches that align with business priorities and stakeholder expectations.
Oversee internal resources and PR agency teams to identify, propose, secure and support senior leaders with top-tier media interviews and speaking engagements on CarMax business strategy and key differentiators.
Initiate and oversee a regular cadence of media outreach to high-value national media outlets and targeted regional outlets to drive top tier earned media placements.
Support in the development of executive presentations that effectively communicate CarMax's strategy, performance, and leadership vision to external audiences, with close attention to both visuals & delivery.
Independently provide spokesperson training and communications coaching for CarMax leaders to hone their messages, improve their communications and media skills, and ensure they effectively represent CarMax.
Serve as the primary liaison between the PR and Investor Relations teams and lead financial media relations with high attention to ensuring differentiated, accurate and fair news media reporting.
Assist in the development of strategic IR communications, including quarterly earnings conference call scripts, annual report, annual shareholder letter, analyst day presentations, and other communications materials as prioritized.
Lead PR strategies and execution to support other business areas to achieve key goals, including positioning our B2B offerings with automotive dealers, and elevating our strategic investments and partnerships with other companies in the auto ecosystem.
Partner closely with the senior manager responsible for internal executive communications to leverage leaders to inform key audiences and promote the brand, with aligned, impactful and cohesive narratives.
Oversee and develop a strong spokesperson bench that supports the company's diversified business.
Leverage earned, owned, and social media strategies to amplify company announcements and news coverage.
Provide leaders with guidance to help them cultivate a strong social media presence and elevate their executive visibility.
Influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to align messaging and cadence, help ensure consistent execution across external channels, including media interviews, investor communications, and other thought leadership platforms.
Oversee the company's corporate communications PR agency in support of these initiatives to be an extension of the internal team, ensuring quality and effectiveness of work product.
Lead and empower teams by setting clear expectations, removing barriers, and ensuring resources are aligned to deliver high-impact corporate communications.
Build relationships with key national media and serve as a company spokesperson.

This role is critical to positioning CarMax a customer experience leader and innovator, an innovative corporate leader, an employer of choice, and a valuable business partner to other dealers. The ideal candidate is a communications leader with expertise in business strategy communications, corporate financials, and communications/media training. They will have demonstrated experience engaging and influencing senior leaders on key communications opportunities including news media interviews and presentations.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Proven record of supporting leaders with external communications, including media interviews, speaking engagements, and written materials.
Proven strategic thinker with exceptional crisis management skills and the ability to navigate complex, high-pressure situations with diplomacy and decisiveness.
Proven record of developing and managing successful PR programs, demonstrated success building relationships with national reporters and driving proactive media placements.
Experience overseeing the work of communications professionals and agency partners to meet shared goals.
Media relations experience with financial/business media outlets, such as the WSJ, The New York Times, CNBC, Fast Company, Business Insider, and Forbes, among others.
Experience managing & maximizing a PR budget to drive business performance.
Proven ability to coach leaders to improve their communications skills and effectively prepare them for interviews and other opportunities that have a potential for volatility or risk.
Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams & channel stakeholders.
Strong presentation development skills, including preparing PowerPoint presentations that tell visual & impactful stories.
Ability to manage multiple channel programs simultaneously and to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated interest and aptitude for leveraging emerging technologies and tools, including Artificial Intelligence, to advance their work and drive efficiencies.
This position is a critical role to CarMax and is expected to be highly responsive to internal and external customers. As a first responder to media and customer inquiries, across the United States and in different time zones, this position will participate in assigned nightly and weekend media and social monitoring to ensure reporters and business partners receive timely, appropriate responses.

Language Skills
Exceptional writing and editing skills for a variety of written materials.
Ability to convey a professional and positive image to external customers, media contacts, etc.

Four-year college degree (Marketing, Advertising, Mass Communications, Public Relations or related field) required, MBA preferred
~7+ years of marketing and management experience
~ Investor relations communications experience and subject matter expertise