Public Affairs & Public Relations Associate Director - External Communications, Tax & Accounting

Hybrid role out of any of our office locations. Preferred candidate will be located in Minneapolis, MN.

Wolters Kluwer is looking for a talented Associate Director, External Communications to support its Tax & Accounting (TAA) division. This role requires a strong background in PR and media relations, along with an established network of media contacts across North America, Europe, and APAC. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a strategic external communications program that drives visibility, credibility, and value for the TAA division. Existing relationships with financial, regulatory, tax, and accounting-focused media are critical for success.

Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services, combining deep domain expertise with specialized technology. Our solutions empower professionals to make confident decisions that improve business outcomes, strengthen compliance, and support robust regulatory and judicial systems. Every day, our customers rely on us to help them get it right.

Basic Function

In this role, you will serve as a trusted communications partner to the TAA divisional executive team, helping shape and deliver impactful external communications that influence key audiences, primarily media and relevant industry analysts. Reporting to the Global Director of External Communications, you will play a central role in protecting and promoting Wolters Kluwer’s reputation while supporting business growth and long-term value creation.

You will lead high-impact initiatives to enhance external visibility for TAA solutions, executives, subject matter experts, and brands, driving media relations and PR efforts across priority markets. Working closely across businesses, functions, and geographies, you will bring creativity, alignment, and consistency to all external communications activities, ensuring they resonate with customers and support TAA’s strategic objectives.

This is an opportunity to join a high-performing, collaborative team and make a meaningful impact. If you are a creative, results-driven communications professional with strong PR and media relations expertise who thrives in a dynamic, global environment, this role offers a compelling platform to do your best work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a trusted strategic communications advisor to the executive team, bringing sound judgment, confidence, and the ability to earn credibility and trust.
• Develop and execute comprehensive external communications and media relations strategies that support the Tax & Accounting (TAA) division and its full portfolio of solutions globally.
• Create and manage a broad range of external communications materials, including press releases, holding statements, media alerts, briefings, pitches, FAQs, blogs, social media content, bylined articles, and relevant Annual Report content.
• Proactively pitch and engage targeted reporters and media outlets to build understanding of the TAA strategy and drive sustained visibility for the division and its business units.
• Partner closely with the TAA divisional executive team, the Divisional Vice President of Internal Branding & Communications, and Marketing leaders to ensure alignment with messaging, positioning, and go‑to‑market initiatives.
• Identify and leverage compelling insights and story opportunities to build external awareness among media, analysts, and influencers, ensuring close integration with Internal Communications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, industry publications, and influencers, delivering well‑planned story pitches on a consistent cadence.
• Create and manage media and analyst engagement opportunities for executives and subject matter experts in support of TAA priorities and strategic objectives.
• Define clear objectives and success metrics for external communications initiatives, using both quantitative and qualitative measures.
• Drive participation and success in relevant industry recognition programs, including managing award submissions and analyst ranking nominations in collaboration with divisional communications leaders.
• Anticipate industry trends, emerging issues, and potential reputational risks, implementing proactive and reactive communications strategies to protect and promote the company.
• Monitor media coverage and alert internal stakeholders to time‑sensitive issues, developments, or opportunities.
• Oversee PR governance, review, and approval processes, continuously improving communications practices, efficiency, and impact.
• Manage external PR and media monitoring agency partners to ensure consistent, high‑impact messaging and reporting.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, including HR, Internal Communications, and Brand, to amplify external storytelling and support Wolters Kluwer’s employer brand.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while managing multiple priorities with focus and composure.
• Proven relationship builder who collaborates seamlessly across functions, aligning diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.
• Highly resilient with a strong “can‑do” mindset; takes full ownership of initiatives from concept through execution and delivery.

Other Duties

Special projects as appropriate.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or journalism.
• Advanced degrees or certifications in external comms and marketing are a plus.

Experience

• At least 10 years of media relations/external communications experience (all within a corporate or public relations agency environment) 

• Existing set of strong North American, European and APAC contacts across Tier 1 media, trade publications, and broadcast
• Experience with crisis communications, including legal, investor and public relations implications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Superb writing and editing skills and a strong sense of narrative and storytelling.
• Excellent creative thinker, with an ability to quickly understand a breadth of information and simplify the communication.
• Ability to verbally relay concepts, goals, and project plans to all parties involved in the execution of said plans.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as working in long-distance situations.
• Ability to read and understand industry specific documents and/or presentations.
• Ability to author routine reports and correspondence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with all levels of management.
• Experience with AI prompting and use of GenAI tools in communications.

Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Meticulous, able to work independently and as a contributor in a team environment.
• Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
• Flexible and responsive to change.

Skills and Competencies:

• Native fluency in English. Fluency in other European languages is a plus.
• Strong overall media relations expertise including in-depth experience with relevant tools, tactics, strategies, data, reporting, and analytics.
• Deep level of expertise in message development & content creation
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
• Adept at understanding and prioritizing complex information, reporting, and requests.
• Rigorous attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy, with exceptional research and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills; must be able to juggle simultaneous projects.
• A strong team ethic, keen to learn new skills, share expertise and accept feedback.

Travel requirements:

This position requires travelling <15%

Our Interview Practices

To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure we’re getting to know you—not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process.

Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.

Compensation:

Compensation range listed is based on primary location of the position.  Actual base salary offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skills, experience and actual hiring location. Your recruiter can share more information about the specific offer for the job location during the hiring process. 

Additional Information:

Wolters Kluwer offers a wide variety of competitive benefits and programs to help meet your needs and balance your work and personal life, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Commuter Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plan, Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Parental Leave. Full details of our benefits are available upon request.