Director, Communications

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Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.   

Director of Executive Thought Leadership

Level: P4

Location: Chicago, New York, London

Role Overview

JLL is seeking a Director of Executive Thought Leadership to own how the firm’s most senior leaders are seen and recognized in the market. This is an individual contributor role with full ownership of the function and no direct reports. It owns the strategy and standards for executive positioning across the platforms where JLL leadership shows up: global speaking stages, earned media, owned content channels, and flagship internal forums. The role reports to and takes direction from the Head of Corporate Communications and works across the Communications Center of Excellence.

The role sets the framework and governance for how JLL builds executive thought leadership, then partners with communications and marketing peers across the business to bring the strategy to life. It owns the model and the standards, and delivery happens through those partnerships.

The role brings together disciplines that have historically been managed separately: organic speaking, earned media, executive owned content, internal visibility, and on-stage and on-camera performance. The role will build a single in-house capability that gives a defined cohort of senior leaders coordinated, high-quality support, and to connect that support to clear business outcomes. The person must operate comfortably in a highly matrixed global organization and carry the presence to advise and brief members of the Global Executive Board. The successful candidate will bring 7 to 10 years of relevant experience and a track record of building executive platforms inside large, matrixed organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Governance

• Own the firm-wide strategy, publishing cadence, and operating framework for executive positioning across senior leadership

• Own the function’s framework and outcomes, working through communications and marketing partners across business lines and corporate functions, under the direction of the Head of Corporate Communications

• Manage the intake and selection of leaders into the program, applying a clear, criteria-based model that prioritizes the value and relevance of each leader’s perspective over seniority

• Run a regular review cycle that keeps the supported cohort current as business priorities shift

• Own prioritization of the function’s time and budget when demands compete, in agreement with the Head of Corporate Communications

Platform Strategy and Enablement

• Set the approach and standards for executive platforms across speaking, media, and owned content, and map the right targets for each leader

• Direct the pursuit of organic speaking slots at premier global stages and media outlets, for example Davos (WEF), MIPIM, FII, and Semafor, in partnership with external communications

• Oversee ghostwriting and content development, delivered through partners, so each leader’s external narrative and owned content stay joined up

• Establish on-stage, on-camera, and broadcast performance coaching so leaders show up consistently well

• Partner with the business lines and corporate functions communications leads to give leaders visibility at flagship internal forums, recognizing that internal profile shapes external profile

• Work with digital and AI teams to enable self-service tools that let the broader employee base amplify the brand at scale

• Manage external agency partners where specialist support is needed, holding them to consistent quality and reporting standards

Measurement and Impact

• Define and own a measurement framework that spans activity, quality, and business impact, replacing awareness-only reporting

• Set baselines where none exist today and define how the function’s contribution to pipeline is tracked, working with marketing operations and analytics

• Report progress to business line and corporate function communications leaders as well as senior leadership through a consistent, data-driven dashboard

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with the Brand and Content teams so all materials meet JLL’s visual identity and content standards

• Act as a trusted advisor to business line and corporate function communications leaders on how their most senior people show up in the market

• Bring an executive-positioning perspective into annual planning and OKR setting

Qualifications

Required Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field

• 7 to 10 years of relevant experience in communications, executive positioning, or thought leadership, ideally within a large, matrixed organization

• Proven track record building executive thought leadership platforms and content programs for senior leaders

• Experience applying criteria-based frameworks to prioritize communications investment against business strategy

• Experience managing and optimizing external agency partnerships, with clear reporting and value standards

• Strong understanding of how earned media, owned content, and speaking work together to build reputation

• Awareness of how modern digital approaches, including AI and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), shape how corporate reputation is discovered and represented

• Advanced project management skills, with the ability to run multiple concurrent programs across teams

Personal Attributes

• Credibility and presence to advise and brief members of the Global Executive Board

• Comfortable operating as an individual contributor in a highly matrixed, global organization, delivering through influence rather than a team

• Partners effectively with communications leads across the Communications CoE

• Able to navigate competing demands calmly in high-visibility settings

• Clear communicator with diverse stakeholders, from subject matter experts to global leaders

• High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information

Travel Requirements

This position will require some travel to support leaders, client events, and leadership meetings.

Location

Open. Major market with proximity to senior JLL leadership and key corporate hubs (Chicago, New York, London).

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position:

123,000.00 – 178,300.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site –Chicago, IL

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care

• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary 

• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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