- Job Title: Director, External Communications
- Company: Ball Corporation
- Location: Westminster, Colorado, United States
- Job Type: Hybrid (On-site 4+ days/week)
- Category: Corporate Communications
- Date Posted: April 9, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strengthening Ball's reputation and advancing business priorities through strategic external communications.
- Leading the development and execution of external communications strategies, including earned, owned, and paid media.
- Serving as a spokesperson for the company and positioning key executives as thought leaders.
- Managing the corporate brand, brand activation, and corporate social responsibility programs.
- Collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to achieve company objectives.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and strong leadership skills to effectively communicate Ball's brand and business priorities to diverse external stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop and implement comprehensive external communications strategies that align with business objectives and drive results.
- Brand Management: Lead the corporate brand positioning, visual and verbal identity, and activation work to unify Ball's businesses and bring the brand to life.
- Crisis Communications: Serve as the external crisis communications contact, proactively anticipating and mitigating public-facing issues and crises.
- Media Relations: Build and strengthen relationships with key media outlets, and manage media inquiries and interviews.
- Corporate Citizenship: Lead the corporate social responsibility program and manage the corporate Ball Foundation to ensure its sustainability, impact, and alignment with Ball's business objectives.
- Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing external communications team focused on excellence in global corporate communications.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of corporate communications, branding, public relations, and digital/social media. The ideal candidate will have experience working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to achieve company objectives.
🎯 Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 15 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
- Required Skills:
- Exceptional writing skills with the ability to distill information into concise, relevant, and impactful messages.
- Conceptual thinker and storyteller who thrives on creative solutions.
- Strong business acumen, able to quickly understand company vision and strategy.
- Ability to navigate and leverage the latest media and communications tools.
- High-quality interpersonal skills and strong leadership, analytic, and strategic planning skills.
- Knowledge of corporate communications, branding/positioning, public relations, and digital/social media.
- Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in the packaging industry.
- Familiarity with the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment partnership.
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates with a proven track record in corporate communications and a strong understanding of business strategy are likely to be successful.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
- Salary Range: $145,700 - $213,020 (Determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market data)
- Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits structure
- Annual incentive compensation plan
Working Hours: Full-time, with regular in-person engagement required on-site for four (4) or more days per workweek (with core collaboration days of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Director-level role in corporate communications. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and market data.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
- Industry: Packaging & Containers
- Company Size: 10,001+ employees
- Founded: 1880
- Company Description: Ball Corporation is a global aluminum packaging company and sustainability leader providing packaging solutions for beverages and personal care and household products. Founded in 1880, the company employs 16,000 people worldwide and produces cans, bottles, and aerosol containers.
- Company Specialties: Beverage Cans & Bottles, Aerosol Cans, Paint & General Line Cans, Aluminum, and Personal and Home Care Containers
📊 Role Analysis
- Career Level: Executive/Director level
- Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-site 4+ days/week)
- Growth Opportunities: Potential for career progression within the Communications & Corporate Affairs department or broader roles within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the potential to advance within the Communications & Corporate Affairs department or take on broader roles within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
- Office Type: Hybrid (On-site 4+ days/week)
- Office Location: 9200 W 108th Circle, Westminster, Colorado 80021, US
- Geographic Context: Westminster, Colorado, is a suburb of Denver, offering a mix of urban and suburban living with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, with regular in-person engagement required on-site for four (4) or more days per workweek (with core collaboration days of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring regular in-person collaboration and engagement with the team and senior leaders.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
- Typical Process:
1. Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
2. In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members
3. Final interview with the Vice President, Communications & Corporate Affairs
- Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and communication skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Knowledge of corporate communications, branding, public relations, and digital/social media
- Alignment with Ball's company culture and values
- Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
2. Prepare examples of your strategic communication plans and successful campaigns.
3. Research Ball Corporation and the packaging industry to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its challenges.
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should be prepared to discuss their approach to external communications, crisis management, and brand activation during the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24, Hootsuite Insights)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard tools and be comfortable learning new technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
- Company Values: Integrity, Quality, Responsibility, Sustainability, and Teamwork
- Work Style: Collaborative, innovative, and results-driven, with a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility
- Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do you align with Ball's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility?
2. How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with key media outlets and stakeholders?
3. How do you ensure your communication strategies drive results and support business objectives?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with Ball's company values and work style, as well as a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, are likely to be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing the demands of a strategic, high-visibility role with the need for regular in-person engagement and collaboration.
- Managing a team and external agency partners remotely, with a focus on maintaining a high-performing, cohesive team.
- Navigating a large, global organization with diverse stakeholders and communication needs.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working in a large, global organization and be comfortable managing remote teams and external agency partners.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Director of Corporate Communications: This role is similar to a Director of Corporate Communications, with a focus on external communications, brand management, and corporate social responsibility. However, this role may have a broader scope and require more strategic thinking and leadership.
- Vice President of Public Relations: This role is similar to a Vice President of Public Relations, with a focus on media relations and crisis communications. However, this role requires a broader understanding of corporate communications, branding, and digital/social media.
- Chief Communications Officer (CCO): This role is similar to a CCO, with a focus on strategic communications, brand management, and stakeholder engagement. However, this role may have a more narrow focus on external communications and may not require the same level of strategic leadership and business acumen as a CCO.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar roles, such as Director of Corporate Communications, Vice President of Public Relations, or Chief Communications Officer, are likely to be successful in this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive external communications strategy to launch a new product line or brand.
- Managing a crisis communications plan to mitigate reputational risk and maintain stakeholder trust during a significant event or issue.
- Leading a team to create and execute a successful corporate social responsibility campaign that aligns with business objectives and community needs.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with strategic communications planning, crisis management, and corporate social responsibility during the interview process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. How does this role support the company's overall business strategy and growth objectives?
2. What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
3. How does the company measure the success of its external communications efforts?
4. What opportunities are there for growth and development within the Communications & Corporate Affairs department and the broader organization?
5. How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should ask thoughtful, strategic questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and the company's business objectives.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through this [link](https://jobs.ball.com/corp_packaging/job/Westminster-Director%2C-External-Communications-CO-80021/1280833300/).
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
3. Prepare examples of your strategic communication plans and successful campaigns.
4. Research Ball Corporation and the packaging industry to demonstrate your understanding of the business and its challenges.
5. Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
