Communications Manager / Senior Communications Manager - Corporate Reputation

Hormel Foods•Austin, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hormel Foods is seeking a communications professional to strengthen and protect the company’s corporate reputation. This individual-contributor role supports proactive storytelling, media engagement, executive visibility, and issues management, helping ensure a consistent and credible voice across external communications. The role contributes to reputation campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, and crisis and issues response in collaboration with agency partners and internal teams. The position is based at Hormel Foods’ Global Headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, and follows a hybrid work arrangement requiring in-office presence four days per week. Travel may be necessary 10% of the time. A comprehensive relocation package to the Austin area will be offered if required. The level offered—Communications Manager or Senior Communications Manager—will be determined based on qualifications and experience. The base hiring pay range is $78,000–$124,700 per year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related field.
Proven experience managing media relations, external storytelling, and reputation or issues management programs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft clear, compelling messages for varied audiences.
Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, including the ability to anticipate needs, navigate sensitive topics, and recommend thoughtful solutions.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with media, agency partners, and internal stakeholders.
Strong organization and project management skills, with attention to detail.
Initiative and ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work independently.
Strong writing and editing skills, with expertise in AP Style.
Must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer and must not now or in the future require employer sponsorship for a work visa.

Nice To Haves

Corporate or agency experience.

Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of external communications strategies that enhance and protect the company’s corporate reputation.
Manage day-to-day corporate media relations, including proactive story development, pitching, and responding to media inquiries on corporate topics.
Monitor media coverage and industry trends, flag emerging issues, and identify opportunities for proactive engagement.
Contribute to crisis and issues communications planning and response, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent, coordinated messaging.
Draft and edit external materials, including press releases, media statements, Q&As, talking points, and briefing documents.
Support executive visibility efforts, including interview, speaking engagement, and media briefing preparation, and develop digital and social media strategies that strengthen leadership presence.
Partner with internal stakeholders to align messaging across corporate announcements.
Maintain media lists, track coverage metrics, and prepare regular reports on communications outcomes.
Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, industry contacts, and influencers relevant to Hormel Foods’ corporate reputation.
Collaborate with PR agency partners to coordinate outreach, ensure alignment, and manage deliverables.
Serve as a resource to internal partners on external communications best practices.