Communications Manager / Senior Communications Manager - Brand PR

Hormel Foods; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k) with match

Bonuses and profit sharing

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Hormel Foods is seeking a strategic and creative Senior Communications professional to lead public relations for a portfolio of iconic consumer brands, collaborating with brand marketing teams and business units to drive earned media and brand equity.

Ideal candidate is a storyteller with strong media relations, adept at translating business objectives into integrated communications programs, working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• 2–7+ years of experience in public relations, brand communications, corporate communications or a related field.
• Proven experience developing and executing successful communications programs for consumer-facing brands.

Responsibilities

• Lead public relations for Hormel Foods brands and partner with brand marketing teams.
• Develop and execute integrated communications plans for campaigns and launches.
• Identify storytelling opportunities to generate earned media and social conversation.

Skills

Media relations

Brand communications

Storytelling

Social media

Project management

Influencer programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

Media monitoring tools

Job description

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST / COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER / SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – BRAND PUBLIC RELATIONS

About Hormel Foods

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. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

We’re looking for a strategic and creative communications professional to lead public relations efforts for a portfolio of iconic consumer brands. This individual contributor will partner closely with brand marketing teams and business units to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that build brand equity, generate earned media coverage, drive cultural relevance, protect brand reputation and support business growth.

The ideal candidate is an experienced storyteller with strong media relations skills, a passion for consumer trends and culture, and a proven ability to translate business objectives into impactful communications programs. They thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy collaborating across functions, and bring both strategic thinking and flawless execution to every initiative.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the communications lead for a portfolio of Hormel Foods brands, providing strategic counsel and communications support to brand marketing teams and business units.
• Develop and execute integrated communications plans that support brand campaigns, product launches, partnerships, sponsorships, innovation initiatives, and key business priorities.
• Identify and develop compelling storytelling opportunities that generate earned media coverage and social conversation while strengthening brand reputation and driving business growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media, influencers, content creators, and external partners.
• Develop proactive media relations strategies, create media materials, and pitch stories to consumer, lifestyle, trade, business, and industry media.
• Partner with marketing teams to ensure earned media, influencer engagement, social content, and experiential activations work together to maximize impact.
• Provide communications counsel during campaign development, helping identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and strengthen storytelling approaches.
• Support reputation management and issues preparedness by identifying emerging trends, monitoring media and social conversations, and collaborating on response strategies when needed.
• Develop briefing materials, key messages, talking points, and media training support for brand leaders and company spokespeople.
• Manage agency partners, including scope development, budget oversight, planning, execution, and performance evaluation.
• Track, analyze, and report communications performance against established objectives and key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across marketing, consumer engagement, legal, insights, innovation, sales, and corporate communications to ensure alignment and consistency.
• Support internal communications and employee engagement efforts that amplify brand initiatives and build employee advocacy.
• Manage communications budgets and ensure programs are delivered on time and within budget.

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position will be awarded either Senior Communications Specialist, Communications Manager or Senior Communications Manager based on qualifications and experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• 2 – 7+ years of experience in public relations, brand communications, corporate communications or a related field. In-house or agency communications experience preferred.
• Proven experience developing and executing successful communications programs for consumer-facing brands in a corporate or agency environment.
• Strong media relations experience, including developing strategies and securing coverage across consumer, lifestyle, business and trade media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create compelling communications materials under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic communications plans that align with business and marketing objectives.
• Experience managing agency partners and external vendors.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Experience measuring and reporting communications performance using quantitative and qualitative metrics.
• Strong understanding of social media, influencer marketing, and the evolving media landscape.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Preferred

• Experience supporting food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, retail, or consumer lifestyle brands.
• Experience managing high-profile campaigns, product launches, sponsorships, influencer programs, or experiential activations.
• Experience supporting issues management and reputation protection efforts.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, analytics, and communications measurement platforms.

LOCATION:

Austin, MN (Global Headquarters) or Chicago, IL (downtown office).

A comprehensive relocation package to the Austin, MN area will be offered, if required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel may be necessary 10-15% of the time.

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager - Brand PR role is between $67,500 - $124,700 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

BENEFITS:

Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.