Public Affairs Manager - Pennington, AL

Georgia-Pacific is seeking a Public Affairs Manager for our world-class bath tissue and paper towel mill Pennington, Alabama. The Public Affairs Manager is a valuable member of the mill leadership team, providing professional communications and public affairs guidance on critical issues. The position supports leaders and managers who are directly responsible for production and operations at the site. The role will spend approximately 70% of his/her time working on internal communications and employee engagement, 20% of his/her time on public affairs (community relations and local government interaction) and 10% on proactive and reactive media relations.

Additionally, this role will provide public affairs and communications support, as required, for the company and other GP facilities in the region while coordinating with the corporate team.

Georgia-Pacific’s Naheola operation is a world-class pulp and paper mill where more than 900 employees proudly produce Georgia-Pacific’s well-known consumer bath tissue and paper towel brands like Angel Soft® and Sparkle®. The mill also makes bleached paperboard that is used to make Dixie® plates and cups.

The mill is the largest employer in the community and is engaged in supporting community outreach, workforce development and education. The area is a sportsman’s paradise with world-class hunting for deer, turkey and other small game and is bounded on the east by the Tombigbee River which provides such recreation as freshwater fishing, boating and water skiing. Residents of this area enjoy a low cost of living and an easy drive to the many resort communities and soft white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast.

To learn more about Georgia-Pacific’s consumer products business and the company’s commitment to stewardship, check out these links:
Consumer Products Overview , How We Make Tissue , and Stewardship in Action .

• Develop, implement and manage a strategic employee communications program at the mill, as well as internal communications support of critical mill and company initiatives, including use of best practices from the public affairs and communications team across other GP mills and corporate headquarters in Atlanta.
• Establish strong relationships with community members including local government officials, regulatory agencies, businesses and community groups. Coordinate external issues engagement and activities with GP legal, governmental affairs and corporate communications teams.
• As part of the mill leadership team, advise on issues, attitudes and opinions both inside and outside the company that could affect mill operations. This includes establishing a climate of cooperation with employees and implementing or helping support necessary programs to maintain GP’s position as a leader in a highly competitive industry.
• Establish and maintain the means to detect signals of company vulnerability in external and internal environments.
• Maintain a crisis communications plan for the mill and serve as a member of its crisis management team.
• Develop strong relationships with reporters and editors who cover the community/region and participate in the process of gathering and disseminating news. This includes serving as company spokesperson where appropriate and facilitating/managing interviews of others.
• Develop and implement mill investment and volunteer opportunities that are aligned with GP’s focus areas (education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment) to support the community and create long-term value for our business, community, and customers.

• Minimum of 5 years of public relations or related experience.
• Experience with…