Job Description

The External Senior Communications Manager – Media & Digital is a strategic and execution‑focused communications leader responsible for shaping and delivering high‑impact external storytelling that strengthens reputation, drives brand familiarity, and supports business growth.

This role blends earned media excellence with a strong digital mindset—supporting a modern, newsroom‑driven approach to communications across traditional media, owned channels, and emerging digital platforms. The ideal candidate brings deep media relations experience, intellectual curiosity about digital technology, and a passion for translating complex topics (innovation, sustainability, digital solutions, transformation) into compelling, credible narratives.

What You Will Do:

Media Relations & Earned Media

• Develop and execute proactive media strategies aligned to enterprise priorities, business campaigns, and innovation launches.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with tier‑one, trade, and emerging digital media across relevant beats (business, technology, innovation).
• Lead media outreach, story pitching, press materials, interviews, and spokesperson preparation.
• Monitor media coverage, issues, and external trends; provide insight‑driven recommendations to leaders.

Digital‑First Storytelling

• Contribute to a digital‑newsroom approach to external communications, ensuring stories are designed for relevance, reach, and engagement across channels.
• Partner closely with content, social, and digital teams to translate earned media moments into owned and shared content.
• Apply knowledge of digital platforms, analytics, and audience behavior to continuously optimize storytelling and channel mix.

Technology, Innovation & Transformation Communications

• Support communications for digital technology, innovation, and transformation initiatives, helping make complex concepts clear, credible, and human.
• Stay informed on digital trends, platforms, and tools that influence media, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Bring forward new ideas for how technology can improve storytelling, measurement, and distribution.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a trusted communications partner to internal stakeholders across business, marketing, digital and executive teams.
• Work seamlessly with agency partners to extend capacity, expertise, and reach.

What Success Looks Like:

• Clear, compelling stories that elevate reputation and support business priorities.
• Strong media relationships that consistently result in credible coverage.
• Digital‑savvy communications that reach the right audiences, in the right channels, at the right time.
• Trusted partnership with internal stakeholders and communications leadership.

Position Details:

• This is a hybrid role based out of Naperville, IL or St. Paul, MN.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field
• 10 years of professional experience
• 7 years of experience in agency communications, external communications, media relations, or related. Experience in journalism is highly regarded
• Proven track record securing high‑quality earned media and managing complex media relationships
• Strong writing, storytelling, and message development skills across formats and audiences
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, matrixed, global organization
• Immigration sponsorship not available for this role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience communicating about digital technology, innovation, or transformation topics
• Demonstrated curiosity and working knowledge of digital platforms, analytics, and evolving media landscapes
• Experience integrating earned media with owned and social channels
• Background in B2B, industrial, technology, or purpose‑driven organizations

The base salary range for this position is $120,500.00 - $180,700.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.

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