Communications Specialist

Mars; Franklin (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University

Company bonus

Best-in-class learning and development

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Communications Specialist in Franklin, TN to support the External Affairs team in executing a reputation strategy and brand PR initiatives. You will help plan external activations, develop communications materials and support thought leadership to elevate Mars Pet Nutrition and its brands in North America.

You will collaborate with the External Affairs and Marketing teams, manage budgets and monitoring, and work on charitable contributions and partnerships to advance Mars'

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field is required or equivalent
• 1–3 years in brand, corporate or internal communications or project management
• Strong oral and written communication, listening and interpersonal skills
• Digitally savvy, with experience in media and PR
• Agency experience is a plus and travel is possible

Responsibilities

• Support Corporate and Brand initiatives to increase awareness and relevance of Mars' PNNA brands and purpose
• Stay current with media trends and apply a digital-first approach
• Assist planning and execution of Brand PR and corporate communications initiatives
• Collaborate with Directors and agencies to execute communications strategies
• Develop, write, edit and distribute press releases, internal alerts, statements and speeches
• Coordinate charitable contributions, sponsorships and samples distribution with partners
• Support budget management and purchase orders
• Monitor news and provide regular updates to Corporate Affairs
• Assist with media relations and event opportunities
• Lead cross-team processes to improve EA team efficiency across PNNA

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Digital savvy

Agency experience a plus

Willing to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism or related field

Job description

Job Description

Title: Communications Specialist

Location: Franklin, TN

Workstyle : Onsite/ In Office

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits

The Communications Specialist role will work with the External Affairs team to help execute a reputation strategy, communications programs, brand PR initiatives, and sponsorships and partnerships that drive increased awareness, relevance and growth of Mars Pet Nutrition and its brands in North America. Work will include planning and executing external activations, developing communications materials and supporting thought leadership strategy and content to elevate the profile of the company and support the organization's priorities, all in support of the company's purpose: A Better World for Pets.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Support Corporate and Brand initiatives that increase awareness and relevance of Mars' portfolio of Pet Nutrition North America brands, and Purpose, including but not limited to: Corporate Communications, Brand PR, Mars Volunteer Program (MVP), Community Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Sports Collaborations, and Communications and Programming.
• Maintain a strong understanding of current and new media trends which can help influence reach or target audience, with a growth and digital-first approach.
• Support planning and execution of Brand PR, corporate communications, and BETTER CITIES FOR PETS initiatives in collaboration with the External Affairs and Marketing teams.
• Partner with Director of Brand Communications and agencies to execute communications strategies and activations for select brands in the Mars PNNA portfolio.
• Develop, write, edit, and distribute communications materials including press releases, internal story alerts, corporate statements, corporate materials, presentations and speeches.
• Execute charitable contribution requests, ticket and sponsorship deliverable management and allocation, and samples distribution, collaborating with internal and external partners.
• Support team budget management, including opening Purchase Orders and maintaining budget tracker.
• Monitor company and competitor news to identify emerging issues and storylines and deliver regular monitoring updates to Corporate Affairs team.
• Support proactive and reactive media relations, and event opportunities.
• Lead workstream to develop cross-team processes to improve efficiency of EA team and ability for team to partner effectively across Pet Nutrition North America.

What We Are Looking For

• - Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism or associated profession is required, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• 1-3 years relevant professional experience in brand, corporate or internal communications or project management with proven success developing and managing communications programs.
• - Must have strong oral and written communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders in a large organization
• Digitally savvy.
• Agency experience a plus
• Ability to travel

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.