Communications Manager, Peppercomm

Peppercomm, a Ruder Finn company, is seeking a Communications Manager to join its broader Communications team in a client-facing, onsite role supporting government affairs, community relations and corporate communications initiatives for a major automotive manufacturing client.

This individual will independently manage day-to-day program activities, develop communications materials, maintain government and community relationships and coordinate events and executive engagements. The Communications Manager will be responsible for moving projects forward, anticipating needs and delivering high-quality work with minimal oversight. The role will also help ensure that government and community relations messaging aligns with the organization’s broader communications strategy.

This is an onsite role in Spartanburg, SC.

Peppercomm, a Ruder Finn company, is an award-winning strategic, integrated communications and marketing agency headquartered in New York City. With 30 years of expertise serving blue-chip and breakout clients, the firm has made a science of communication, combining wit and wisdom with proven public relations discipline and innovative offerings to break through, build deeper connections and ensure its clients' success.

Peppercomm has received numerous accolades throughout its history, including being named one of the top 10 Crain's Best Places to Work in NYC, the PRNews Agency Elite 100 and PR Daily's Top Agencies. The agency has also received recent campaign recognition from the PR Daily Awards for thought leadership communications, the PRovoke SABRE Awards for an integrated campaign, the PRNews Platinum PR Awards for media relations and the Bulldog PR Awards for media relations, among others.

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• Independently manage the day-to-day execution of assigned client programs and work streams.
• Serve as a regular client contact regarding assignments, priorities, timelines and deliverables.
• Develop a strong understanding of the client’s business, operations, industry, competitors and key stakeholders.
• Ensure communications activities align with the client’s objectives and strategic direction.
• Manage multiple projects from conception through completion, ensuring deliverables meet quality, timing and budget expectations.
• Anticipate challenges, recommend solutions and take responsibility for appropriate follow-through.
• Develop materials and recommendations for client meetings and presentations.
• Facilitate meetings as appropriate, capture action items and ensure timely follow-up.
• Maintain a high level of responsiveness when communicating with client contacts, agency colleagues and external partners.
• Balance onsite client responsibilities with agency initiatives, marketing support and other assigned account work.

• Contribute to the development and execution of annual government affairs and community relations programming.
• Align government and community initiatives with corporate citizenship priorities, communications objectives and broader business needs.
• Map and maintain relationships with elected officials, government staff, agencies and other stakeholders at the municipal, county, regional and state levels.
• Coordinate ongoing outreach and engagement with government and community stakeholders.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and policy developments that may affect business operations, including workforce, infrastructure, permitting, environmental matters, incentives and trade.
• Draft issue summaries, newsletters, executive briefings and other materials explaining relevant developments and their potential business impact.
• Coordinate legislative meetings, facility tours, stakeholder briefings and advocacy days.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, talking points, remarks and follow-up communications for government and community engagements.
• Maintain relationships with community organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions and event partners.
• Coordinate the administration of a significant annual community investment portfolio serving more than 175 organizations.
• Review funding and partnership requests and develop donation recommendations, presentations and impact reports.
• Manage sponsor ships and donations, including intake, vetting, agreements, deliverables, invoicing, acknowledgements and partner recognition.
• Build and maintain partnerships focused on education and STEM, workforce readiness, arts and culture,…