📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Communications Manager
🔹 Company: Waste Management (WM)
🔹 Location: Houston, Texas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Houston, TX)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Contributing to corporate external communications strategy
- Creating and executing executive visibility plans for senior leaders
- Leading proactive media engagement and crisis communications efforts
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain media-facing products
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with senior leadership.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute executive visibility plans for senior leaders
✅ Create and maintain media-facing products (talking points, messaging, etc.)
✅ Support issues management and crisis communications efforts
✅ Lead proactive media pitches and manage follow-up and tracking of coverage
✅ Coordinate with social media team on crisis response planning and response
✅ Assist with monitoring the WM Media E-mail Inbox as needed
✅ Support the broader external communications team through other communications work as assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role may require occasional travel (up to 10%) and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Journalism, or Public Relations
Experience: 5-7 years of overall communications or media relations experience working for an agency or in an in-house Corporate Communications role at a Fortune 500 company
Required Skills:
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and independently
- Ability to prioritize requests and leverage communications resources
- Ability to craft impactful storytelling messages
- Highly organized and able to prioritize under pressure
- Comfortable interfacing with senior leadership
Preferred Skills:
- 2-4 years of experience with presenting communications plans to senior leaders
- 2-4 years of crisis communications planning and/or reputation management hands-on experience
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with additional relevant experience or certifications may be preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000 (Based on industry standards for a Communications Manager with 5-7 years of experience in Houston, TX)
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Short Term Disability
- Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K
- Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (Hybrid schedule)
ASSUMPTION: Salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Waste Management and Environmental Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global leader in integrated environmental solutions)
Founded: 1961 (As a small waste collection company, now a Fortune 250 corporation)
Company Description:
- North America's leading provider of integrated environmental solutions
- Services nearly 20 million customers through a network of collection operations, transfer stations, landfills, recycling facilities, and waste-to-energy plants
- Committed to environmental performance, maximizing resource value, and minimizing environmental impact
Company Specialties:
- Environmental solutions
- Renewable energy
- Recycling
- Sustainability
- Community giving
- Waste to energy
- Safety
- Customer service
- Innovation
Company Website: http://www.wm.com
ASSUMPTION: WM's size and industry position provide opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, depending on experience
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Director, External Communications
Work Arrangement: Hybrid schedule (Houston, TX)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to Senior Communications Manager or Director role
- Expansion of responsibilities based on performance and company needs
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth potential within the communications department and across WM's diverse business segments.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters (Hybrid schedule)
Office Location(s): 800 Capitol St, Suite 3000, Houston, Texas 77002, US
Geographic Context:
- Houston, Texas, is the fourth most populous city in the United States
- Home to a diverse range of industries, including energy, healthcare, and technology
- Offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and parks
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week (Hybrid schedule)
ASSUMPTION: Houston's diverse economy and cultural offerings provide a dynamic backdrop for WM's operations and this role's responsibilities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Senior Director, External Communications
- Final interview with key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills (written and verbal)
- Crisis communication experience
- Ability to work effectively with senior leadership
- Cultural fit with WM's values and work environment
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of WM's mission and this role's responsibilities
- Prepare examples of your media relations work and crisis communication plans
ATS Keywords: Communications Manager, Executive Visibility, Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Reputation Management, Storytelling, Senior Leadership, Media Engagement, Pitch Work
ASSUMPTION: WM's application process may vary, and candidates should be prepared to adapt to different interview formats and assessment methods.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Critical Mention)
- Crisis communication platforms (e.g., OnSolve, Everbridge)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using industry-standard communication and media management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Safety
- Customer excellence
- Innovation
- Teamwork
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with WM's core values, particularly integrity and accountability?
- How comfortable are you working in a hybrid environment and interfacing with senior leadership?
- How do you approach balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution in your work?
ASSUMPTION: WM's culture emphasizes safety, teamwork, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, making it an attractive fit for candidates who share these values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Adapting to changes in leadership or organizational structure
- Balancing proactive communication efforts with reactive crisis management
- Working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership and external partners
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to navigate these challenges and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike some communications roles, this position focuses heavily on executive visibility and crisis management
- WM's size and industry position offer unique opportunities for impact and growth
- Career progression may involve moving into a senior communications role or exploring other areas within WM's diverse business segments
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and tactical communications responsibilities, setting it apart from similar positions in other organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive executive visibility plan for WM's CEO
- Leading a proactive media pitch campaign to secure coverage for a major WM initiative
- Managing a crisis communication response to a significant environmental incident
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and the high impact of this role within WM's communications department.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role contribute to WM's overall corporate strategy?
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the external communications department?
- How does WM support the professional development and growth of its communications team members?
- What are the most pressing communications challenges facing WM in the near future, and how can this role address them?
- How does WM balance proactive communications efforts with reactive crisis management?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in WM's strategic goals and commitment to understanding the role's context within the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications
- Prepare examples of your media relations work and crisis communication plans
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
