Strategic Business Communications Director

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated in Chicago, IL seeks a Strategic Business Communications Director to engage and mobilize North America Associates through clear messaging during a major transformation uniting 12,000 colleagues.

You will lead a team across newsletters, town halls and events, partner with senior leaders and global colleagues, and leverage data-driven insights to shape communications and ambassador programs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in internal/external communications.
• Ability to respond quickly and support team.
• Proactive, problem-solving attitude.

Responsibilities

• Engage all MSNA Associates on regional priorities.
• Create polished professional comms for leadership and staff.
• Own and implement a communications pipeline across channels.
• Prepare townhalls and events; coach leaders.
• Use data on sentiment to inform strategy.
• Partner with Senior Leaders to support their comms.
• Collaborate with global teams to share best practices.
• Work with event management firms to deliver materials.
• Manage SharePoint and Teams channels.
• Lead the strategic business communications team.
• Support external comms for Associate Ambassadorship.

Skills

Internal comms

External comms

Leadership comms

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SharePoint

Teams

Job description

Job Description:

This Strategic Business Communications Director is responsible for engaging, inspiring and mobilizing Mars Snacking North America Associates through strategic business communications. Mars Snacking is going through a significant transformation, integrating the legacy Kellanova business into Mars, bringing together 12,000 Associates across the region. Providing strategic clarity through clear consistent messaging and engaging content is core to our success, as is ensuring the Leadership Team maintains a pulse on the Associate sentiment, needs and interests.

Strategic Business Communications Director and their team lead a range of communication channels including existing newsletters, townhalls, leadership meetings and in-person events, and should bring innovation to our communications strategy to leverage technology and non-traditional channels to deploy best-in-class communications.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Engage all Mars Snacking North America Associates regarding the regional priorities of the business to increase engagement, advocacy and business performance.
• Be proactive in creating polished and highly professional communication materials, including communications to our leadership group and general Associate population.
• Own, populate and implement a pipeline of communications. Utilise the full range of communications channels available to reach Associates in the right place, at the right time, and leveraging digital tools for scale, modernity and efficiency.
• Townhall and event readiness includes drafting key messages and coaching leaders to ensure strong delivery so that our leaders build trust, clarity and confidence amongst audiences.
• Leverage data and insights about Associate sentiment to inform the communications strategy and provide input to the Leadership Team to ensure tone, messaging and visibility represents Associates' needs.
• Partner with Senior Leaders to support their communications and internal visible leadership
• Collaborate seamlessly with the global and cross-segment colleagues to elevate the awareness for Mars Snacking North America and our milestone achievements, to learn best practices and to enhance the context shared with MSNA Associates.
• Partner with third parties such as event management providers, film crews and production teams to ensure high-quality delivery of communications materials.
• Manage SharePoint and Teams Channels to house materials and empower others through access to consistent materials.
• Lead the strategic business communications team to plan, develop and deploy the responsibilities of the internal communications function.
• In collaboration with the external communications team, generate Associate Ambassadorship for our brands, products and MSNA as a great place to work.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree incommunications, Business or related field;in-house and agency experience a plus
• 10+ years' experience across internal and/or external communications.
• Ability to respond quickly and support others in the team.
• Approach challenges with a proactive, problem-solving attitude.
• Ability to effectively manage and work within ambiguity to prioritise business needs.
• Leads project steps within a broader project.
• Able to work independently.
• Uses data to iterate and improve.
• Comfort around higher management.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with 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.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 169,840.00 - USD 233,530.00