Manager, Brand PR - Better For You & Natures Bakery

Mars•Chicago, IL

12d•$108,160 - $148,720

About The Position

Mars Snacking is seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative communications professional to serve as Manager, Brand PR and Earned Influence on the Mars Snacking Accelerator Corporate Affairs Team. The role helps execute earned- and influence-led initiatives to strengthen reputation, increase awareness, and support growth for Better-for-You brands, including KIND, RXBAR, NutriGrain, and Pure Organic, in North America and Canada. The position leads work across earned media, strategic partnerships, brand storytelling, executive visibility, content creation, reputation management, and internal engagement. It calls for a communicator who can develop and execute high-impact campaigns informed by data and cultural timing, with the aim of building brand equity and driving growth. Accelerator is a global division of Mars Snacking focused on growth across high-potential categories and brands. It combines the scale of Mars with a start-up-like approach and includes emerging and enduring brands such as KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS, and RICE KRISPIE TREATS.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or an associated profession, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
5–8+ years of experience in brand communications or PR.
Agency experience and/or brand PR experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry.
Strong background in agency management, cross-functional leadership, and operational delivery.
Proven ability to conceive and execute culturally resonant brand campaigns with measurable impact.
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling capabilities.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
Sound editorial judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
Experience working with internal and external stakeholders in a large, highly matrixed organization.
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting executive communications and reputation management.

Responsibilities

Support brand initiatives that increase awareness of Mars, its Better-for-You portfolio, and its Purpose, including integrated communications, strategic partnerships, communications and programming, and social impact.
Track current and emerging media trends that can influence and reach target audiences, using a growth-oriented, digital-first approach.
Serve as the earned media expert across the brand’s integrated agency team and internal cross-functional forums.
Manage and inspire agency partners to deliver earned-first storytelling, cultural intelligence, and reputation impact.
Own the Brand Communications editorial calendar and align content and planning timelines internally and externally; lead development and submission of internal communications materials.
Develop, edit, and distribute brand communications materials, including press releases, key messages and Q&A documents, social posts, presentations, and speeches.
Identify opportunities to amplify brand moments internally and drive Associate pride.
Lead award submissions by partnering with agencies, maintaining a calendar of target awards, adapting template submissions, and ensuring reviews and applications are completed.
Support executive visibility opportunities for Better-for-You leaders by developing executive messaging, briefing materials, and communications assets.
Identify opportunities to position Better-for-You leaders as credible voices on important topics.
Manage Brand PR budget tracking, inputs, and monthly reporting processes.
Support proactive and reactive media relations and event opportunities.
Use consumer feedback and insights to inform proactive communications and mitigate future risk.