Senior Communications Manager - Corporate Reputation

Hormel Foods; Austin (MN); Ibrido; USD 78.000 - 125.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation package

Bonuses and profit sharing

Descrizione del lavoro

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, seeks a Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager to strengthen and protect the company’s corporate reputation. The role emphasizes proactive storytelling, media engagement, and issues management, with collaboration across agencies and internal teams.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in communications or PR, strong AP Style writing, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hybrid office setting in

Competenze

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or related field.
• 5+ years in Communications/Public Relations or related field; corporate or agency experience preferred.
• Proven experience managing media relations, external storytelling, and reputation/issues programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; craft clear messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong judgment; navigate sensitive topics and provide thoughtful solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with media, agencies, and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organized with strong project management and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with initiative; manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work independently.
• Strong writing and editing skills with AP Style knowledge.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship not provided.

Mansioni

• Support development and execution of external communications strategies to enhance and protect corporate reputation.
• Manage day-to-day corporate media relations including proactive story development, pitching, and inquiries.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends; flag emerging issues and opportunities for engagement.
• Contribute to crisis and issues communications planning and response with cross-functional partners.
• Draft and edit external materials including press releases, statements, Q&As, talking points, and briefing documents.
• Support executive visibility efforts: interviews, speaking engagements, media briefings, and digital/social media strategies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align messaging across corporate announcements.
• Maintain media lists, track coverage metrics, and report on communications outcomes.
• Build relationships with journalists, industry contacts, and influencers relevant to Hormel Foods.
• Coordinate with PR agency partners to ensure alignment and deliverables.
• Serve as a resource on external communications best practices.

Conoscenze

Media relations

Storytelling

AP Style

Writing

Project management

Relationship building

Formazione

Bachelor’s degree

Descrizione del lavoro

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER/SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – CORPORATE REPUTATION - CORPORATE OFFICE (AUSTIN, MN)

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.

Position Overview:

We’re seeking a skilled communications professional to help strengthen and protect our company’s reputation. This individual contributor will support proactive storytelling, media engagement, executive visibility, and issues management – ensuring a consistent, credible voice across our external communications. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands‑on communicator who is adept at media relations, message development, and navigating complex or sensitive topics. They’ll play a key role in bringing our corporate narrative to life, contributing to reputation campaigns, thought leadership initiatives, crisis and issues response in close collaboration with agency partners and internal teams.

Responsibilities – External Communications / Corporate Reputation

• Support the development and execution of external communications strategies that enhance and protect the company’s corporate reputation.
• Manage day‑to‑day corporate media relations – including proactive story development, pitching, and responding to media inquiries on corporate topics.
• Monitor media coverage and industry trends; flag emerging issues and identify opportunities for proactive engagement.
• Contribute to crisis and issues communications planning and response, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure consistent, coordinated messaging.
• Draft and edit external materials including press releases, media statements, Q&As, talking points and briefing documents.
• Support executive visibility efforts, including preparation for interviews, speaking engagements, media briefings, and development of digital and social media strategies that strengthen leadership presence.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align messaging across corporate announcements.
• Maintain media lists, track coverage metrics, and prepare regular reports on communications outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists, industry contacts, and influencers relevant to Hormel Foods’ corporate reputation.
• Collaborate with PR agency partners to coordinate outreach, ensure alignment, and manage deliverables.
• Serve as a resource to internal partners on external communications best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Level of position offered (either Communications Manager or Senior Communications Manager) will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Communications, Public Relations or a related field. Corporate or agency experience preferred.
• Proven experience managing media relations, external storytelling, and reputation or issues management programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages for a variety of audiences.
• Strong judgment and problem‑solving skills; able to anticipate needs, navigate sensitive topics, and recommend thoughtful solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with media, agency partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and attention to detail.
• Self‑starter with initiative and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high‑quality work independently.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with expertise in AP Style.
• 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.

LOCATION:

Global Headquarters, Austin MN

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

This position follows a hybrid work arrangement requiring in‑office presence four days per week.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Travel may be necessary 10% 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 role is between $78,000 - $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.