Communications Director, Aerospace

What you’ll do:

Eaton is seeking an experienced communications leader to support our fast growing and critical global Aerospace business which is $4.2B in revenue (2025). This role will report directly to the President of the Aerospace Group and functionally to the Vice President, Global Communications. This position will help to educate, elevate and amplify Eaton’s Aerospace growth opportunity through creative, compelling and impactful communications strategy during a period of significant growth and transformation.

The Aerospace communications leader will support the President of our aerospace business and lead a small, talented team. They will be responsible for developing and executing an integrated communications strategy that supports business growth; builds credibility and drives influence with key internal and external stakeholders; enhances our reputation; increases employee engagement; and aligns and amplifies Eaton’s enterprise-wide communications strategy. This role will serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and collaborate across functions to ensure consistent, impactful communication internally and externally.

Pivotal to the success of this role will be the ability to communicate at all levels, with a deep understanding of how to effectively cascade compelling messaging and encourage action within a global, matrixed organization.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for storytelling and the creation of high-quality communications content across a mix of channels as we accelerate our efforts to deliver differentiated and effective communications at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications: 

• Develop, lead and execute Aerospace’s communications strategy, aligned with the short and long-term goals of the business.
• Partner with the Aerospace Leadership Team to craft compelling narratives that support growth, innovation and employee engagement.
• Lead communications and measurement/impact strategies for major initiatives including leadership visibility; thought leadership; capacity and capability investments; transformation initiatives; HR and Legal support; M&A; and form a strong, strategic partnership with the Marketing team to provide comprehensive communications support including global events, product launches, customer facing activities, etc.

Executive and internal communications: 

• Serve as a trusted communications partner to the Aerospace president and leadership team.
• Lead executive communications including presentations and internal/external messaging across owned and earned channels, not limited to events, social, media, etc.
• Drive employee engagement through clear, consistent and inspiring internal communications.
• Collaborate closely across multiple functions to support projects within the business, including functional transformation projects, collective bargaining negotiations, etc.

External communications:

• Ensure alignment with Global Communications, Investor Relations, Government Affairs, and Community affairs for the externally reported segment.
• Lead Aerospace media relations strategy, serving as a spokesperson on media inquiries and issues.
• Lead aerospace positioning, including media monitoring, issues coordination, and enterprise-level storytelling, ensuring a consistent, credible and authoritative corporate voice across markets.
• Communication should include LinkedIn and other social media to support Eaton advocacy and positively contribute to the culture of the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and key external stakeholders.
• Responsibility for the development and management of the Aerospace enterprise thought leadership calendar of opportunities and events, working with key stakeholders.

Crisis management:

• Partner with global communications, marketing and business unit communications leaders to assess, escalate, and manage issues that cross the enterprise waterline.
• Oversee Aerospace crisis communications and issues management in coordination with other functional and enterprise stakeholders.

Event management:

• Manage content and planning and executive support for Aerospace internal communication events including: Executive presentations and storytelling; annual global leadership summits; Board of Director meetings/visits; employee facing town halls; Aerospace’s participation in enterprise events; external events such as ground breaking or partnerships.
• In close partnership with the Marketing Communications team, manage content and plan for major industry events including annual Air Shows.

Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or related field.
•    Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in corporate communications experience in aerospace, industrial or B2B sectors. Direct experience in aerospace is strongly preferred.
•    Experience should include leading communications for a large business segment or division as well as experience with media relations and crisis communications.
•    Strong understanding of global media landscapes.
•    Experience of building media relationships, credibility and strategic strategies to build reputation.
•    Leadership experience working in a matrix environment, with demonstrated skills of leading through influence and global collaboration.
•    Strong executive presence, with the proven ability to counsel senior executives and operate effectively under pressure.
•    Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
•    Ability to influence and collaborate across a global, matrixed organization.
•    Strategic thinker with a bias for actions and results.
•    Strong business acumen and understanding of financial communications.
•    Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, global environment with many stakeholders.