Job Overview and Responsibilities

United Airlines is seeking a strategic Director of Corporate Affairs to own the enterprise strategy, governance, and standards for United's proactive media relations and communications across federal policy, regulatory and corporate reputation matters. Based in Washington, D.C. and reporting to the Managing Director of Global Response and Corporate Communications, this leader partners with others across the company to set United's external-communications strategy for the policy and government-affairs agenda, establishes the media governance frameworks, messaging standards, and spokesperson protocols that guide the enterprise, and leads a multidisciplinary team.

The Director works cross-divisionally, translating company and division strategy into their own operating plans and advising executive leadership on reputational risk and enterprise positioning. Accountable for the performance and results of the team and for the outcomes of United's most consequential policy and issues-management efforts, the Director works in close partnership with Government Affairs, Environmental Affairs, United Airlines Ventures, and People Impact to shape a unified corporate narrative. This is a well-rounded leader who can see around corners, set strategy, and mobilize teams and agency partners to execute it.

Strategic Ownership and Enterprise Communications Direction:

Own United's external communications and issues management strategy for corporate affairs and set the enterprise-wide communications direction for the policy, regulatory, and corporate-impact agenda; develop the annual plan, priorities, and measures of success that execute company and division strategy; and advise executive leadership on positioning and reputational risk while aligning enterprise goals into a cohesive corporate narrative.

Governance, Standards, and Policy:

Establish and maintain enterprise media governance, including messaging standards, spokesperson and on-background protocols, editorial and approval frameworks, and communications policy, ensuring a consistent and compliant United voice across regions and business units.

Team Leadership and Resource Accountability:

Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team through subordinate managers; define workforce plans, prioritization, resource allocation, performance standards, and external agency, vendor and advocacy organization relationships to deliver measurable impact against communications standards and timelines.

Strategic Media Relations, Reputation, and Crisis Oversight:

Drive high-impact national and beltway media coverage and thought leadership, cultivate high-value relationships with bureau chiefs and reporters, and oversee issues management and rapid-response strategy that anticipates and mitigates enterprise reputational risk in high-stakes environments.

Protect and Advance United's License to Operate:

Work to identify and insert United's voice into interrelated, relevant news cycles and trends by understanding how corporate initiatives impact United's standing with policy makers, regulators and the flying public

Qualifications

What's needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, political science, strategic communications
• 12+ years in corporate communications, public affairs, or media relations
• 5+ years of people leadership, with demonstrated experience leading teams through subordinate managers and setting communications strategy at an enterprise or divisional level.
• Deep, existing relationships with national business, policy, or aviation reporters in Washington, D.C. Proven ability to establish communications standards, frameworks, and governance across an enterprise
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative process and regulatory environment
• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to distill complex topics for influential audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a 24/7 news environment while managing long-term strategic projects.
• Enterprise communications and public affairs strategy skills
• Media governance, standards and policy development skills
• Knowledge of crisis, reputation and issues management
• Leadership and talent development skills
• Knowledge of policy and regulatory communications
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Relationship building and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage complex issues in a fast-paced environment
• Cross-functional collaboration, strategic planning and executive counsel skills
• Ability to scan the horizon and identify risk and opportunity
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
• Position is based in Washington D.C. and follows a hybrid schedule

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• High-level political press experience (Hill, Executive Branch or major agency)
• Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving.
• Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy, and security