Senior Communications Manager - Corporate Reputation

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, APPLEGATE®, WHOLLY®, HORMEL® BLACK LABEL®, COLUMBUS®, JENNIE-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts.

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We’re seeking a skilled communications professional to help strengthen and protect our company’s reputation. This individual contributor will support proactive storytelling, media engagement, executive visibility, and issues management – ensuring a consistent, credible voice across our external communications. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on communicator who is adept at media relations, message development, and navigating complex or sensitive topics. They’ll play a key role in bringing our corporate narrative to life, contributing to reputation campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, crisis and issues response in close collaboration with agency partners and internal teams.

• 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 preparation for interviews, speaking engagements, media briefings, and development of 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.

Level of position offered (either Communications Manager or Senior Communications Manager) will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Communications, Public Relations or a related field. Corporate or agency experience preferred.
• Proven experience managing media relations, external storytelling, and reputation or issues management programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages for a variety of audiences.
• Strong judgment and problem‑solving skills; able to anticipate needs, navigate…