Public Affairs & External Relations Sr. Manager
Barilla Group, Northbrook, Illinois, us, 60065
Public Affairs, External Relations, & Sustainability Communications Sr. Manager
Job Purpose
The US Public Affairs, External Relations and Sustainability Communications Senior Manager will be tasked with protecting and enhancing the group’s corporate reputation in the United States and in Region Americas. Reporting solidly to the Communications and External Relations function, they will proactively engage key local stakeholders, such as institutions, trade associations, consumer associations, media and NGOs to present Barilla, its position on relevant topics and issues and its corporate ESG activities, ensuring that the company has an established network of allies in case of need. They will also support activities from a corporate PR perspective and provide crisis management support to the local crisis team.
This is a hybrid role based out of Northbrook, IL.
Key Accountabilities
Engagement of key institutional stakeholders in Americas Region (Washington D.C., Chicago, Ames, Avon, etc)
Stakeholder map, list of essential contacts, organization of networking events.
Work with external lobbying firms to:
Research: Analyze proposed legislation and regulations
Develop strategies: Create plans to influence policy and legislation
Build relationships: Form connections with government officials, staff, and other stakeholders
Educate: Explain the impact of legislation to lawmakers and the public, and to internal colleagues and functions.
Present: Appear before legislative committees and hearings to advocate for clients.
Report: Monitor legislative activities and policy changes.
Provide advice: Offer strategic advice to US and Global senior business leaders to inform Barilla business strategy. Advise shareholders and the board when required.
Management of trade associations: Participation in trade association meetings and support to the participation of business colleagues; effective representation of Barilla’s interests and position within the association. Alignment of internal colleagues on topics and issues discussed by the trade associations. Alignment of the global team on local issues and topics.
Sustainability communication: Participation in conferences and events to represent Barilla’s position and achievements in the field of sustainability; organization of the launch event for the sustainability report; organization of events, throughout the year, on sustainability topics relevant for Barilla US and Americas; ensuring effective media coverage of Barilla global and local sustainability initiatives.
Corporate communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Will be required to drafting and deliver speeches, press releases, and write/deliver corporate presentations with NGO’s, Stakeholders, and regulators.
Support to Corporate PR activities: Use of own network of contacts to support Company PR and reputational initiatives; successful coverage of business projects or to obtain industry recognition for activities/results.
Crisis management: Support to the local crisis team. Drafting of statements, Q&As, comms materials when needed. Implementation of global and local crisis management strategies in partnership with Crisis Teams.
Act as spokesperson on behalf of the company if needed.
Desired Skills and Background
Bachelor’s degree required - Marketing, PR, or Communication focus preferred
Minimum 6+ years of professional work experience in corporate communications management or public relations firm with expertise in the consumer products domain, specifically food
Expertise in crisis management
Experience within global organizations where team members are in multiple offices in multiple countries
Ability to forge strong relationships, internally as well as externally
Demonstrated strategic media and public relations capabilities, with proven expertise in contributing to significantly increasing brand awareness
Experience working with external lobbying firms
Strong attention to detail
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Able to work in a changing and challenging, fast‑paced environment
Proven change agent experience in a growing business environment with an increased level of demands and priorities
Comfortable with an entrepreneurial culture
Work independently, be a self‑starter, and have intellectual curiosity
Proficient in MSOffice (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)
Ability to travel up to 20% domestically as well as internationally
As of the date of this posting, the estimated pay range for this role is $130,000-$155,000 plus eligibility to participate in the annual discretionary bonus plan. The actual pay for the position will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to job‑related experience, skills, education, location, and internal equity. This range may be subject to change over time.
Barilla strives to provide you and your family with a wide range of benefit options to support your overall health and financial well‑being needs. This position qualifies for benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, life and disability plans, and an employee assistance program.
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This is a hybrid role based out of Northbrook, IL.
Key Accountabilities
Engagement of key institutional stakeholders in Americas Region (Washington D.C., Chicago, Ames, Avon, etc)
Stakeholder map, list of essential contacts, organization of networking events.
Work with external lobbying firms to:
Research: Analyze proposed legislation and regulations
Develop strategies: Create plans to influence policy and legislation
Build relationships: Form connections with government officials, staff, and other stakeholders
Educate: Explain the impact of legislation to lawmakers and the public, and to internal colleagues and functions.
Present: Appear before legislative committees and hearings to advocate for clients.
Report: Monitor legislative activities and policy changes.
Provide advice: Offer strategic advice to US and Global senior business leaders to inform Barilla business strategy. Advise shareholders and the board when required.
Management of trade associations: Participation in trade association meetings and support to the participation of business colleagues; effective representation of Barilla’s interests and position within the association. Alignment of internal colleagues on topics and issues discussed by the trade associations. Alignment of the global team on local issues and topics.
Sustainability communication: Participation in conferences and events to represent Barilla’s position and achievements in the field of sustainability; organization of the launch event for the sustainability report; organization of events, throughout the year, on sustainability topics relevant for Barilla US and Americas; ensuring effective media coverage of Barilla global and local sustainability initiatives.
Corporate communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Will be required to drafting and deliver speeches, press releases, and write/deliver corporate presentations with NGO’s, Stakeholders, and regulators.
Support to Corporate PR activities: Use of own network of contacts to support Company PR and reputational initiatives; successful coverage of business projects or to obtain industry recognition for activities/results.
Crisis management: Support to the local crisis team. Drafting of statements, Q&As, comms materials when needed. Implementation of global and local crisis management strategies in partnership with Crisis Teams.
Act as spokesperson on behalf of the company if needed.
Desired Skills and Background
Bachelor’s degree required - Marketing, PR, or Communication focus preferred
Minimum 6+ years of professional work experience in corporate communications management or public relations firm with expertise in the consumer products domain, specifically food
Expertise in crisis management
Experience within global organizations where team members are in multiple offices in multiple countries
Ability to forge strong relationships, internally as well as externally
Demonstrated strategic media and public relations capabilities, with proven expertise in contributing to significantly increasing brand awareness
Experience working with external lobbying firms
Strong attention to detail
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Able to work in a changing and challenging, fast‑paced environment
Proven change agent experience in a growing business environment with an increased level of demands and priorities
Comfortable with an entrepreneurial culture
Work independently, be a self‑starter, and have intellectual curiosity
Proficient in MSOffice (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)
Ability to travel up to 20% domestically as well as internationally
As of the date of this posting, the estimated pay range for this role is $130,000-$155,000 plus eligibility to participate in the annual discretionary bonus plan. The actual pay for the position will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to job‑related experience, skills, education, location, and internal equity. This range may be subject to change over time.
Barilla strives to provide you and your family with a wide range of benefit options to support your overall health and financial well‑being needs. This position qualifies for benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, life and disability plans, and an employee assistance program.
#J-18808-Ljbffr