External Communications Strategist

<p>Are you a dreamer, innovator, thinker and a do-er who believes in contributing to something that makes difference?<br><br>Make an impact. Join PMI.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif; font-style: normal;">How will you make a difference to PMI?</span></strong></em></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">The External Communications Strategist III is an execution-first, senior individual contributor responsible for driving earned media opportunities and narrative enablement in support of PMI’s corporate reputation, thought leadership, and strategic priorities. This role sits within the PR + Communications team and operates with a high degree of autonomy, judgment, and ownership.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">As a Level III individual contributor, this role is expected to operate as a trusted advisor within Communications—anticipating opportunities, identifying risks, and independently driving work forward while ensuring alignment to broader narrative and reputational priorities. You will provide strategic counsel to senior stakeholders on external narrative direction, message discipline, and reputational considerations, and recommend narrative adjustments based on trends, current events, and performance insights.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">What you’ll bring to the role:</span></strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Earned Media Strategy & Agency Partnership</span></strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Collaborate with PR agency to identify story opportunities and develop timely, compelling pitch angles aligned to priority narrative beats for both B2B and consumer audiences.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Maximize PR agency performance helping to sharpen briefs, challenge thinking, and ensure proactive, high-quality execution against PMI’s strategic communications goals.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Partner with PR agency (and consult with internal stakeholders, including regional and functional leads) on developing strategy and positioning for global media house moments. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Partner with the broader Marketing organization to source appropriate community or executive spokespeople; vet, prepare, and align them for earned media pitching and engagements.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Use media intelligence and performance insights (e.g., message pull-through, tier-1 quality, topic traction) to identify narrative opportunities and gaps, and to refine story angles and pitching strategy.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif !important;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Shape earned media strategies that strengthen PMI’s discoverability and influence in search and AI-driven answer environments, ensuring coverage reinforces desired brand perception, priority narratives, and authoritative topic associations.</span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Earned & Sponsored External Opportunities</span></strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Independently or collaboratively identify and execute strategic earned opportunities for PMI executives or community spokespeople to reach unaware or new audiences (e.g., third-party events, podcasts, partner activations, key account–adjacent moments).</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Partner with PR agency and relevant internal teams to evaluate, secure, and execute selective sponsored opportunities (e.g., panels, conferences, tentpole events) that advance PMI’s narratives and reputational goals.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Assess external opportunities for narrative fit, audience value, and reputational considerations; recommend go/no-go decisions and execute approved engagements end-to-end.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Identify and shape thought leadership platforms (e.g., executive bylines, strategic reports, high-impact forums, and selective partnerships) that reinforce priority narratives and differentiate PMI’s point of view.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt -1pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Narrative Ownership & Enablement</span></strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Lead efforts for defined corporate message houses, including maintenance of current proof points, examples, and data, ensuring they reflect evolving business priorities and external context.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Own external narrative governance for assigned topics (message architecture, claims/proof points, and executive-ready guidance), ensuring consistency across earned media, executive platforms, and thought leadership moments.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Define what is included in narrative-specific enablement kits (e.g., message houses, executive-ready slides, talk tracks, FAQs, supporting materials) and proactively distribute to internal stakeholders and executives ahead of external opportunities.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Maintain and refresh enablement kits on a regular cadence; communicate updates clearly and ensure adoption across PR, Marketing, and regional teams.</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Cross-Functional Collaboration & Judgment</span></strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Work closely with Director of PR & Communications, Marketing, regional teams, and agency partners to ensure narrative consistency and executional excellence across external touchpoints.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners to align on narrative, timing, and external positioning—often without direct authority—and deliver clear recommendations (including go/no-go) in ambiguous, high-visibility situations.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Maintain issues readiness for assigned narratives, including rapid response positioning, Q&A, and escalation recommendations in reputationally sensitive moments.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Navigate nuanced, high-visibility topics with maturity and discretion; identify risks early (misalignment, gaps, timing, tone) and recommend solutions.</span></li> <li style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Independently manage multiple workstreams and deadlines; maintain clear tracking of opportunities, deliverables, approvals, and outcomes.</span></li> </ul> <p style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Role Qualifications:</span></strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field (or equivalent experience). </span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">8-10+ years of experience in corporate communications, PR, or earned media–focused roles. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Demonstrated experience partnering with and managing PR agencies to drive earned media outcomes. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Proven track record of developing and executing proactive earned media or external engagement strategies tied to corporate narratives. </span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Experience operating with senior-level autonomy and judgment in complex, matrixed organizations.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Strong earned media instincts with the ability to translate narrative strategy into executable story angles.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex topics into clear, compelling messages.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">High judgment and discretion; comfortable operating in reputationally sensitive areas.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Highly organized, self-directed operator with strong prioritization and follow-through.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Ability to anticipate needs, proactively identify opportunities, and execute with minimal oversight.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Stakeholder management is paramount; ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment on narrative direction and recommendations.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Strategic, analytical mindset with the ability to use insights and reporting to optimize external communications strategy and outcomes.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Proficiency in the business language for PMI (English).</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0px; line-height: 107%; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Aptos Display', sans-serif;">Possible travel up to 5%</span></li> </ul><div> <div> <div> <p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What you can expect from us</span><br><br></span></span></strong></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We value and nurture an environment of inclusivity and diversity, and a culture of communication and collaboration. Your health, safety and well-being come first, and we believe that you should have time for your work, but you should also have time for you..<br><br></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Join us and you’ll get:<br><br></span></span></strong></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• an excellent total package, with compensation and benefits based upon your geographic location.</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• skill development opportunities, to help you grow now and into the future.</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• access to a global network, to enrich your professional experience.</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• flexible options to help balance work time and your time</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">• award and bonus opportunities.</span><br> <br><span style="font-family: Arial; letter-spacing: 0.266667px; background-color: #ffffff;">The salary offer will be based on several factors, including the candidate’s demonstrated skills, qualifications and relevant experience.</span> </span></p> <p><strong><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="white-space: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.12px;">Let’s help make the world work better for everyone. Apply today!<br> <br></span></strong><em><span style="white-space: normal; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #242424; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', system-ui, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Web', sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0px;">Project Management Institute, Inc.</span><span style="white-space: normal; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #242424; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', system-ui, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Web', sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0px;"> is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.</span></em></span></p> </div> </div> </div>

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Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

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