Communications Director

Land O'Lakes • Arden Hills, MN

22h

About The Position

This position will be working alongside the VP of Communications helping lead the enterprise Communications function working across business units and functions to deliver influential and impactful communications that enhance overall brand reputation and support growth for Land O’Lakes. Position provides strategic communications consulting and media relations strategy for corporate enterprise, functions and all four of the Land O’Lakes enterprise businesses – WinField United, Animal Nutrition, Dairy Foods and Truterra. Additionally, heads strategic communications consulting for functions including supply chain, government relations and IT as well as all crisis communications for the enterprise. Leads budget management for the Communications function in coordination with the VP of Communications. Additionally, role is a strategic media relations and public affairs resource for all external projects and issues, including executive visibility. Communications Director must have a broad base of knowledge of both external and internal communications and understand how to segment and target stakeholders, including and importantly, the media. Must be able to manage large projects, design and create a comprehensive communications plan, and go into new situations across the company and help other teams by applying communications strategy to their issues and problems. Must have a robust media network and be able to manage Strategic Communications and PR agencies, and remain current with both industry and communications best practices, emerging trends, and technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field, along with 15+ years of relevant work experience.
• Proven development and execution of strategic communication and marketing programs that drive stakeholder engagement, mobilize internal teams and achieve business results.
• Extensive experience working with business leaders to provide strategic planning/counsel, develop executive and business messaging platforms and manage proactive and reactive business campaigns.
• Demonstrated leader with track record of facilitating a positive team environment through collaboration with internal stakeholders and overseeing staff, freelance personnel and agency partners.
• Strong editorial and project management skills built by leading the development and content strategies for print and digital channels, change management initiatives and cross-functional campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Leadership - Spearhead and oversee comprehensive communication programs that support the strategic messaging and business goals of the enterprise and each business unit. Serve as a vital contributor and trusted advisor and/or oversee support to business unit and divisional leadership teams. Drive the development and execution of strategic communications plans that drive both influence and impact across all audiences in support of enterprise Communications Strategy.
• Reputation Management, Media Relations and Executive Platform - Direct and manage enterprise and executive platforms, both proactive and reactive media initiatives, encompassing reputation management, and individual as well as brand promotion opportunities. Collaborate with senior leaders across the organization, including internal business leaders, government relations and others, to provide strategic counsel, including response strategies and tactics, on issues management and crisis communications.
• Team Leadership - Build, motivate and coach a team of 5 direct reports as well as indirect oversight of the broader Communications team, and supporting recruitment and succession planning. Maintain strong relationships with broader cross-functional Corporate Marketing colleagues. Build and maintain a strong internal network to identify and leverage opportunities for team engagement across the enterprise, as well as provide cross-functional team and discipline leadership.
• Impact, Measurement and Resource Management - Oversee and manage the Communications team budget. Manage multiple agency relationships, including oversight and maintenance of scopes of work, contract personnel and other external partners in support of the team's strategic plan and overall enterprise business. Establish effective infrastructure and metrics to drive results aligned to business objectives, demonstrate return on communication investment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level