Manager, Corporate External Communications

Conagra Brands • Chicago, IL

45d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to our Senior Director of Communications, you will lead the development and execution of external communication strategies that support Conagra’s business objectives and enhance the company’s reputation. You will serve as a trusted advisor and spokesperson, managing high-visibility initiatives across media relations, thought leadership, sustainability, and crisis communications. This position requires a strategic communicator who can collaborate across functions, influence senior leaders, and deliver compelling narratives that resonate with external audiences. Your Impact: Lead strategic communications initiatives that shape and protect Conagra’s corporate reputation, including programs related to corporate social responsibility, growth strategies, and key message platforms. Develop and execute communication strategies to support the company’s sustainability efforts, including messaging for the citizenship report, website, social media, and executive presentations. Serve as a spokesperson and media liaison, cultivating relationships with key journalists and managing both proactive and reactive media engagements. Identify and prepare executives and subject matter experts for speaking engagements and media interviews, including coaching and development of supporting materials. Manage external communications during issues and crises, ensuring timely, accurate, and aligned messaging. Oversee communications related to mergers, acquisitions, and business transformations that impact external perceptions of the company. Lead the development of case studies and storytelling content in collaboration with internal and external partners. Ensure brand consistency across external communications, presentations, and visual materials. Support digital media strategy and execution, including website and social media content, with a focus on continuous improvement based on performance metrics. Monitor media coverage and industry trends to inform strategy and provide insights to company leadership. Build strong cross-functional relationships to align communication strategies with business goals. Manage agency partners and vendors, including scope of work and budget oversight. Track and evaluate communication program effectiveness, applying insights to optimize future initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in corporate communications and/or public relations.
• Demonstrated experience across multiple areas of corporate communications, including media relations, crisis management, and executive visibility.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders across all levels of an organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex topics clearly and persuasively.
• Skilled in leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance communication efficiency.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment, decisiveness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience leading both short- and long-term projects with varying levels of complexity.
• Strong presentation skills and leadership presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications initiatives that shape and protect Conagra’s corporate reputation, including programs related to corporate social responsibility, growth strategies, and key message platforms.
• Develop and execute communication strategies to support the company’s sustainability efforts, including messaging for the citizenship report, website, social media, and executive presentations.
• Serve as a spokesperson and media liaison, cultivating relationships with key journalists and managing both proactive and reactive media engagements.
• Identify and prepare executives and subject matter experts for speaking engagements and media interviews, including coaching and development of supporting materials.
• Manage external communications during issues and crises, ensuring timely, accurate, and aligned messaging.
• Oversee communications related to mergers, acquisitions, and business transformations that impact external perceptions of the company.
• Lead the development of case studies and storytelling content in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Ensure brand consistency across external communications, presentations, and visual materials.
• Support digital media strategy and execution, including website and social media content, with a focus on continuous improvement based on performance metrics.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends to inform strategy and provide insights to company leadership.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to align communication strategies with business goals.
• Manage agency partners and vendors, including scope of work and budget oversight.
• Track and evaluate communication program effectiveness, applying insights to optimize future initiatives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees