The primary purpose of the Corporate Communications Manager role is to develop and execute communication strategies that will protect the positive image of Mars, Mars Wrigley, M&Ms overall and especially the M&Ms Retail brand. This external and internal-facing role will align at the global Mars Wrigley level to define objectives, plans, and programs to carry out: external and internal communications, proactive and reactive storytelling and brand building communications, issues management, stakeholder engagement, conveying Mars' deep commitment to generating positive societal impact, and any relevant crisis management that will drive and protect our business, growth strategy and overall reputation.
What are we looking for?
Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or associated profession is required, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. MS/MBA is a plus.
Minimum 5 years relevant professional experience in related work or corporate communications
Experience advising and coaching executive leadership
Strong strategic planning skills, a solid understanding of the business, and the ability to build and nurture relationships at the highest levels in a corporate environment.
A self-starter motivation, able to flex between strategic and operational with confidence and desire.
A collaborative, flexible, and highly motivated professional style, with an approach that motivates and energizes others.
Ability to deal with ambiguity, display good judgment and composure, and provide strong leadership to upper management in crises.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience within CPG is a plus.
What would be your key responsibilities?
Overall Support:
Support external communications, calendars, and liaise with agency partners as needed.
Support external social media strategy.
Lead on external press hub.
Support for media relations - national, local, and business media across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Create communication strategies while identifying and prioritizing short-term demands and working towards long-term goals.
Research communications trends, best practices, company and competitor news to identify potential risks, emerging issues, and storylines.
Navigate complex challenges to develop strategies and tactics in line with company objectives and execute against them.
Lead crisis process and applicable training at M&M's Retail sites.
Collaboration:
Serve as the Corporate Comms advisor, providing communications counsel to the Management Team, key business leaders, and the General Manager by:
Developing and implementing influential corporate affairs strategies that grow our Retail business across the areas identified within our reinvention strategy.
Providing change-management communications.
Support of all internal and workplace communications activities including messaging and tactical support for townhalls, Associate Communication Meetings (ACMs), business updates, strategy work, period huddles, period business updates, annual management meetings, etc.
Providing ad-hoc and often after-hours support when issues and crises arise.
Identifying and managing emerging areas of risk.
Providing communication counsel to the Associate groups (Inclusion & Diversity, etc.) •
Building and maintaining relationships with community, government leaders, retail groups, and non-profit organizations to support company objectives and help meet community needs.
Build rapport with internal constituencies at all levels of the organization. Positively motivate, lead, and build consensus across all corporate functions.
Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work effectively with all levels.
Content:
Content curation - proactively create communications for both internal and external channels including drafting, editing, review, and production of content. Examples include press releases, blogs, key messages, briefs, Associate news stories, etc.
Leverage corporate-messaging framework aligned with Mars purpose and the business ambition to drive one voice for all of M&M's Retail.
Develop compelling content (written and visual) for internal communication channels including articles for Yammer, MyMars, newsletters, email, and video scripts. Coordinate cross-over publishing with M&M's Retail and Mars Inc. stakeholders.
Adapt news/stories to fit multiple audiences and levels of understanding across a variety of business areas and communications channels.
Execute internal communications editorial calendar and maintain overall calendar and all outgoing corporate email traffic.
Actively partner with and participate in the Internal Comms Mars network.
Leader:
Exemplify Mars Wrigley Purpose, alignment with Mars, Incorporated's Five Principles and specific capabilities with the key behaviors of "Confront Reality", "Think Enterprise" and "Be Decisive."
Demonstrate a passionate and high-energy style with the commitment and enthusiasm to take on complex, challenging situations in a dynamic organization with the ability to envision, articulate, and realize both process and program improvements within the department.
Special projects, as assigned.
Support the reputation and purpose of the business by engaging in activities, educating, and exciting M&M's Retail Associates.
What can you expect from Mars?
The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
An industry competitive compensation package including generous benefits (i.e., 401k, health, etc.)
Commitment to our Purpose and our Five Principles.
An environment where all Associates feel valued, supported and comfortable being themselves at work.
The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come.