Manager, External Communications & Content Creation

mars; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Snacking is seeking a strategic, creative communications professional to serve as Manager, External Communications & Content Creation in Chicago, onsite. This role sits on the Mars Snacking Global Corporate Affairs team and focuses on protecting and enhancing Mars' reputation through compelling content.

You will develop earned, owned, and shared content, drive proactive storytelling, and translate business priorities into engaging narratives, collaborating with senior leaders across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in external communications, public relations, corporate communications, journalism, content strategy, or related disciplines.
• Experience developing multimedia content for corporate communications.

Responsibilities

• External Communications Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute external comms strategies aligned with Mars Snacking objectives.
• Content Creation & Storytelling: Lead creation of press releases, thought leadership, social content, website content and assets.
• Executive Communications & Thought Leadership: Support executive visibility and messaging for leaders.
• Digital & Social Media Communications: Manage external content for digital platforms and monitor performance.
• Reputation & Issues Support: Monitor trends and prepare holding statements and responses as needed.
• Agency & Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with external agencies and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Content creation

Executive storytelling

Social media

Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Title : Manager, External Communications & Content Creation

Location: Chicago, IL

Workstyle : Onsite

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

Mars Snacking is seeking a strategic, creative, and highly collaborative communications professional to serve as Manager, External Communications & Content Creation as part of the Mars Snacking Global Corporate Affairs team. This role will help protect and enhance the reputation of Mars by developing compelling content, driving proactive storytelling, and supporting external communications strategies across key business priorities.

The Manager will be responsible for creating and amplifying earned, owned, and shared content that advances Mars' corporate reputation, showcases business and brand initiatives, and supports thought leadership across a variety of channels. The role will partner closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams including Corporate Affairs, Marketing, R&D, P&O, social impact and regional communications teams to translate business priorities into engaging and impactful narratives.

This position requires a strong storyteller, exceptional writer, content creator, and media-savvy communicator who can operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while balancing proactive communications with issues and reputation management support.

What will be your key responsibilities?

External Communications Strategy & Execution

• Support the development and execution of external communications strategies aligned with Mars Snacking business objectives and Corporate Affairs priorities
• Manage the press office process for media inquiries including after-hours monitoring
• Identify opportunities to elevate Mars Snacking's reputation through proactive storytelling, executive visibility, and industry engagement
• Collaborate across global, regional, and market teams to ensure consistency of messaging and alignment with Mars Snacking messaging and policies, as well as broader Mars communications strategies
• Leverage knowledge of social media trends and identify white space opportunities for Mars and brands to engage
• Serve as the global system owner and strategic lead for our media measurement and monitoring platform; champion standardized KPI frameworks for the direct team while partnering with regional markets to drive tool adoption, share best practices, and maximize global utilization.

Content Creation & Storytelling

Serve as a lead content creator for Mars Snacking's external communications channels.

Write, edit, design and manage a variety of content including:

• Press releases, thought leadership articles, media statements
• Social media content including videos and images
• Website content
• Internal-to-external storytelling assets
• Fact sheets and FAQs
• Presentation materials

Translate complex business, scientific and policy topics into compelling and accessible narratives

Ensure all content reflects Mars' Five Principles, purpose, and reputation priorities while maintaining a consistent voice and brand alignment

Support content creation requests for broader Corp Affairs team, as time allows

Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

• Support external visibility opportunities for Mars Snacking leaders
• Develop executive messaging, media interview and panel briefing materials, and leadership communication assets
• Identify opportunities to position leaders as credible voices on topics such as the future of snacking, innovation, responsible marketing, workforce initiatives, and industry leadership

Digital & Social Media Communications

Create, manage and optimize external content for digital and social platforms

Monitor content performance and audience engagement, leveraging insights to improve effectiveness and reach

Stay current on emerging platforms, content trends, and best practices; report out to team and broader Corp Affairs audiences with relevant updates

Reputation & Issues Support

Monitor emerging topics, industry trends, and reputational risks that may impact Mars Snacking

Support communications planning, social listening and media reporting during issues and crisis situations

Develop holding statements, Q&A documents, stakeholder messaging, and response materials as needed

Contribute to internal issues management and preparedness processes

Agency & Stakeholder Management

Partner with external agencies, content creators, and creative partners

Coordinate content development projects from concept through execution

Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to source stories and identify opportunities for external visibility

What are we looking for?

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, or related field required

5-8+ years of experience in external communications, public relations, corporate communications, journalism, content strategy, or related disciplines

Experience developing multimedia content for both corporat