NextGear Capital Communications Manager, Internal/External Communications

Dealer.com

Dealer.com

Marketing & Communications
Carmel, IN, USA
USD 101,500-169,100 / year
Posted on Mar 28, 2026

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Job Family Group

Communications

Job Profile

Corporate Communications Manager

Management Level

Manager - Non People Leader

Flexible Work Option

Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

Travel %

Yes, 15% of the time

Work Shift

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $101,500.00 - $169,100.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description

The Communications Manager, Internal/External Communications is a key member of the NextGear Capital communications team, responsible for planning, executing, and measuring both internal and external communications programs that engage employees, strengthen the brand, and raise the visibility of NextGear Capital in the market.

This role is built for someone who thrives on doing — translating direction into well-crafted plans, managing the details, and delivering high-quality content across a variety of channels and audiences. The ideal candidate is a strong writer with a nose for a good story, equally comfortable crafting an employee newsletter and pitching a journalist. They are organized, self-motivated, and take real ownership of their work from kickoff to completion.

What You’ll Do

Internal Communications

  • Partner with the communications team to develop and execute internal communications plans that support business priorities, organizational change, and employee understanding
  • Source information through interviews and research, write, edit, and deliver high-quality content across a variety of formats and channels
  • Manage and optimize NextGear Capital internal communications channels including Fuel (intranet), NextGear Capital in the News (newsletter), targeted emails, and live and virtual events
  • Own and contribute to the NextGear Capital internal communications editorial calendar, ensuring a consistent, engaging flow of content that is timely, relevant, and aligned to business priorities
  • Support all-employee engagement initiatives with communications and channel planning

External Communications

  • Draft clear, compelling external communications including press releases, bylines, media pitches, blog posts, social media posts, and other content for distribution to media and through owned channels
  • Develop and foster relationships with relevant media contacts, including pitching stories, staffing interviews, and serving as a reliable resource for reporters
  • Partner with Marketing, Product, and business stakeholders to stay current on the business, identify newsworthy story angles, and create materials for media distribution
  • Contribute to messaging and narrative development to ensure consistent positioning across internal and external communications
  • Create and leverage multimedia assets — including infographics and video — to enhance storytelling across channels

Measurement & Operations

  • Establish and manage performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of both internal and external communications efforts, including channel analytics, media coverage, and qualitative feedback; use data to continuously improve
  • Maintain editorial calendars, media lists, distribution lists, and communications activity logs; monitor and track media coverage
  • Project manage complex or multi-workstream communications initiatives, keeping stakeholders aligned and deliverables on track
  • Identify opportunities to improve communications processes and take initiative to drive those improvements

What’s in It for You?

Here’s a sneak peek at the benefits you could experience as a Cox employee:

  • A competitive salary and top-notch bonus/incentive plans.
  • Exceptional work-life balance, flexible time-off policies and accommodating work schedules.
  • Comprehensive healthcare, with multiple options for individuals and families.
  • Generous 401(k) retirement plans with company match.
  • Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
  • Inclusive parental leave policies, plus comprehensive fertility coverage and adoption assistance.
  • Extra perks like pet insurance, employee discounts and much more.

Who You Are

You're a doer — someone who takes a plan and runs with it, managing every detail from kickoff to delivery. You're a strong writer who finds the story in any subject, whether it's a company update for employees or a pitch that lands coverage. You're organized, dependable, and take real pride in the quality of your work. You're self-motivated and always looking for ways to improve, whether that's a smarter process, a stronger headline, or a better-performing channel. You communicate clearly, collaborate easily, and don't need a lot of handholding to get things done. You're energized by variety and motivated by seeing your work make an impact — both inside and outside the organization.

Minimum:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related discipline and 6 years of professional communications experience spanning both internal and external communications, PR, or a comparable combination. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 4 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or 10 years’ experience in a related field.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills across multiple formats — from press releases and media pitches to employee-facing content and executive narratives
  • Proven ability to translate complex business information into clear, compelling, and accessible stories for diverse audiences
  • Experience developing and executing communications plans end-to-end, with strong attention to detail and follow-through
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain media relationships
  • Direct experience in both internal and external/PR communications roles
  • Demonstrated comfort with AI tools and a proactive approach to integrating them into daily work to enhance quality, efficiency, and output
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Comfortable operating with autonomy while working within a broader strategy set by communications leadership
  • Travel: 10%

Preferred:

  • Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field
  • Track record of building and improving communications programs, not just maintaining them
  • Experience with digital storytelling, multimedia content, or visual communications
  • Experience with analytics tools and reporting dashboards; comfortable using data to evaluate and improve communications effectiveness
  • Familiarity with the automotive, financial services, or B2B business sectors
  • Experience in large, matrixed organizations

Join the Cox family of businesses and make your mark today!

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.