Jobs › Mercury Marine

Director, External Enterprise Communication

Mercury Marine · Mettawa, IL · $148,300–$250,300 a year · Full time

Posted May 6, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through a time you had to build an external communications strategy from scratch for an enterprise or large business unit. What was the business goal behind it and how did you know it worked?

What they are checking: whether they can connect communications work to actual business outcomes, not just output volume

Tell me about the toughest crisis or reputational issue you've managed. What did you actually say to the executive team in the first hour, and what did you get wrong in hindsight?

What they are checking: real crisis experience versus theoretical knowledge, and honesty about mistakes under pressure

Describe a time you had to advise a CEO or senior executive who wanted to say something publicly that you thought was a mistake. What did you do?

What they are checking: executive presence and willingness to push back with judgment, not just deference

What's an example of thought leadership you built for an executive that actually changed how media or industry analysts talked about that person or the company?

What they are checking: ability to translate a platform into measurable reputational shift, not just placements

Tell me about a long-range communications plan you built with defined goals and resourcing. What happened when priorities shifted halfway through the year?

What they are checking: planning discipline combined with real-world adaptability

What would you do

Say a plant safety incident breaks on social media at 6pm on a Friday before it's been verified internally. Walk me through what you do in the first two hours.

What they are checking: whether they have a real, ordered crisis protocol rather than vague instincts

This role sits alongside Legal, HR, Operations, and Marketing during a crisis. Tell me about a time those functions disagreed on the response. How did you get to a decision?

What they are checking: ability to lead cross-functional alignment through influence when there's no formal authority

If you inherited a communications function where the CCO wanted more proactive storytelling but the team had spent years mostly in reactive mode, what would you change first?

What they are checking: ability to diagnose and shift team culture and priorities as a new senior leader

About the work

How would you build a proactive earned media strategy for a company like Brunswick, where the audience ranges from boat dealers and trade press to consumer and business media?

What they are checking: depth of hands-on media relations knowledge across differentiated audiences, not generic PR talk

How do you define success metrics for earned media and reputation work, and how have you used data to change a strategy mid-course rather than just report on it afterward?

What they are checking: whether measurement is used analytically or just for a slide deck

Brunswick shows up at things like CES and major industry showcases. How would you structure the communications plan around a major activation like that to make sure it ties back to brand and business goals, not just a press release?

What they are checking: understanding of activation-level strategic planning versus tactical event support

Give me an example of a press release, executive remarks, or op-ed you personally wrote that you're proud of. What made it work?

What they are checking: actual writing craft and ability to translate business priorities into a compelling external voice

How do you decide which media relationships and industry contacts are worth investing time in over the long haul, versus which are one-off opportunities?

What they are checking: strategic judgment in relationship management, not just a contact list

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Mercury Marine.

Are you ready for what’s next? Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond. Brunswick believes “Next Never Rests™,” and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation. Job Description Innovation is the heart of Brunswick.  See how your contributions will help transform vision into reality: Position Overview : The Director of External Enterprise Communication will be responsible for setting and executing Brunswick’s external communications vision along side the Chief Communications Officer. As a senior leader for the organization, t his role will drive enterprise-wide strategy and execution for earned media, public relations, and reputation management across the enterprise, while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on external positioning, messaging, and crisis response. T his role will protect and promote Brunswick’s brand and business , and thus requires a strong , proactive strategist who can think long-term as well as act decisively in the moment particularly during high-stakes, high-visibility moments. This leader will report to the Chief Communications Officer. At Brunswick, we don’t just communicate — we lead through strategy, protect through clarity, and grow through bold storytelling. Key Responsibilities Strategic Communications Leadership • Develop and lead a comprehensive external communications strategy that aligns with Brunswick’s business goals, brand positioning, and executive priorities. • Create and maintain long-range communications plans with defined goals, audiences, KPIs, and resourcing needs. • Anticipate trends, opportunities, and risks across the media and reputational landscape to inform strategic direction. • Shape and drive narratives that reinforce Brunswick’s leadership in innovation, sustainability, and performance. Media Relations & Thought Leadership • Build and execute a proactive earned media strategy across consumer, trade, business, and innovation outlets. • Identify and develop thought leadership platforms for Brunswick executives across relevant external stages—media, events, and speaking forums. • Cultivate strong relationships with key media contacts, ensuring Brunswick is seen as a go-to source for industry insight and leadership. Crisis & Reputation Management • Serve as the strategic lead for managing reputational risk and high-impact issues, ensuring readiness and rapid response. • Provide counsel to senior leaders during sensitive or crisis situations, including message development, scenario planning, and stakeholder communications. • Partner with legal, HR, operations, and marketing to align on response strategies and protect Brunswick’s reputation. Messaging & Executive Communications • Lead the development of external messaging frameworks that unify corporate priorities with compelling storytelling. • Draft or oversee creation of high-impact communications including press releases, executive remarks, op-eds, media statements, and issue responses. • Ensure all content reflects Brunswick’s voice, values, and strategic narrative. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership • Oversee communications strategy for major corporate activations (e.g., CES, industry showcases ) to ensure alignment with business and brand goals. • Manage strategic corporate partnerships and external communications alliances to expand reach and visibility. • Collaborate closely with internal functions (e.g., Marketing, Government Affairs, Investor Relations) to align external messaging and outreach. Measurement & Continuous Improvement • Define success metrics and KPIs for all external communications initiatives. • Use data, media analytics, and performance insights to continuously refine strategy and drive improvement. • Create regular reports and strategic readouts for senior leadership. Required Qualifications • 8+ years of leadership experience in external communications, public relations, or media strategy. Newsroom experience is a plus. • An accomplished words mith with e xceptional writing and editing skills, showcasing the keen ability to translate business priorities into compelling narratives. • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic communications plans at a global or enterprise level. • Proven success in earned media, message development, and issues management. • Bachelor’s degree in Communications , Public Relations, Strategic Marketing, or a related field. Skills & Competencies • Executive presence and strong strategic advisory skills; comfortable working directly with the C-suite. • Exceptional strategic thinking with the ability to see the big picture while managing detailed execution. • Deep understanding of media dynamics, crisis response protocols, and brand/reputation positioning. • Collaborative leadership style; able to lead cross-functional efforts with influence and diplomacy. • Composure and sound judgment under pressure. Key Attributes • Visionary strategist and precise executor. • Trusted advisor with high integrity and discretion. • Natural storyteller with a strong sense for brand, tone, and timing. • Proactive and solutions-oriented with a focus on outcomes. Travel Requirements • Travel required for key events, media engagements, and enterprise initiatives. The anticipated pay range for this position is $148,300 - $ 250,300, annually.  The actual base pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills, relevant experience, business needs, and geographic location.  In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. This position is also eligible for an award target as part of Brunswick’s long-term incentive program. This position is eligible to participate in Brunswick's comprehensive and high-quality benefits offerings, including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, 401k (up to 4% match), Health Savings Account (with company contribution), wellbeing program, product purchase discounts, and much more.  Details about our benefits can be found here . Why Brunswick: Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll be at the leading edge.  As the clear leader in the marine industry, we’re committed to our values and supporting our exceptional people. We offer and encourage growth opportunities within and across our many brands. In addition, we’re proud of being recognized for making a splash with numerous awards ! Next is Now! We value growth and development, recognizing that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to innovation and inspiration and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hrsharedservices@brunswick.com for support. For more information about EEO laws, - click here Brunswick Corporation participates in E-Verify as part of our commitment to a lawful and transparent hiring process. For additional information click here: https://www.brunswick.com/e-verify . Brunswick and Workday Privacy Policies Brunswick does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors. For help, please contact our support team at: hrsharedservices@brunswick.com or 866-278-6942. All job offers will come to you via the candidate portal you create when applying through a posted position through https:///www.brunswick.com/careers . If you are ever unsure about what is being required of you during the application process or its source, please contact HR Shared Services at 866-278-6942 or HRSharedServices@brunswick.com . #Brunswick Corporation

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