Director External Communication & Media Relations (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote Work

Position: Director External Communication & Media Relations (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote Work)
## Director External Communication & Media Relations (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote Work)
Apply remote type:
Hybrid Worker locations:
Rosemont ILtime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todayjob requisition :
R281165

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITEJoin Our Community of Food People!

The Director, External Communications & Media Relations is responsible for promoting, shaping and protecting the organization’s reputation through strategic external communications including media relations, crisis communications, and community and stakeholder relations. This role leads enterprise-wide external communications strategies that enhance brand trust, mitigate reputational risk, and strengthen relationships with key external audiences, including media, and industry stakeholders.
** This position has been segmented as Hybrid meaning there is a combination of 3 onsite days per week and the rest remote.
**** Responsibilities:
*** Partner with CEO, executive and senior leadership and cross functional teams to align external communication strategies with enterprise goals and business priorities.
* Develop integrated communication plans that support business goals, operational initiatives, and brand positioning.
* Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, media engagement, and community outreach.
* Lead the development and execution of enterprise media relations strategy to proactively shape external narratives. Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders, including print, online and broadcast.
* Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders, including print, online and broadcast.
* Execute media relations events centered around key financial and strategy announcements and strategic company investments.
* Develop proactive storytelling strategies that elevate brand visibility and reinforce corporate priorities.
* Serve as a primary spokesperson and media advisor for the organization.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with key media targets.
* Oversee media monitoring, messaging consistency, and reputation tracking across channels.
* Lead and direct external public relations agency and related budget.
* Lead issues management external communication strategies, including early identification, assessment, and mitigation of reputational risks.
* Develop and execute crisis communication plans in collaboration with senior leadership and legal teams.
* Provide rapid response communications support during emerging issues and high-impact events.
* Ensure consistent, clear, and timely communication across internal and external stakeholders during crisis situations.
* Support externally facing community affairs strategies for driving media awareness.
* Oversee external public relations agency.
* Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and proactive communication.
* Build capabilities in storytelling, stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and strategic communications.
* Lead and participate in senior-level cross functional teams.
* Other duties assigned by manager.
** Supervision:
*** 1-3 direct reports including specialist and/or manager level(s) via agency partners.
** Relationships:**
* ** Internal:
** Partners closely with CEO, executive leaders;
Sr. leadership teams;
Legal, HR, Operations, Investor Relations and Marketing.
* ** External:
** Partners closely with media outlets, communication agencies, nonprofit partners and external stakeholders, as well as external public relations agency.
*
* Minimum Qualifications:

*** 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.
* Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Strong track record of managing complex issues and reputational risk in a large, matrixed organization.
* Expertise in managing external public relations or communications agencies.
* Experience counseling and engaging with executive leadership and serving as a trusted communications advisor.
*
* Education:

*** Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business or related field, or equivalent related work experience.
*
* Preferred Qualifications:

*** Experience in regulated, industrial, logistics, food, or consumer-facing industries.
* Experience managing national media relationships and high-visibility corporate narratives.
* Background in issues-heavy environments (e.g., supply chain, labor relations, operations, safety, or regulatory contexts).This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus and a RSU package.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please :  depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as…