Communications Director

## Director External Communication & Media Relations (Hybrid: Onsite and Remote Work)Applyremote type: Hybrid Workerlocations: Rosemont ILtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R281165ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITEJoin Our Community of Food People!The Director, External Communications & Media Relations is responsible for promoting, shaping and protecting the organization’s reputation through strategic external communications including media relations, crisis communications, and community and stakeholder relations. This role leads enterprise-wide external communications strategies that enhance brand trust, mitigate reputational risk, and strengthen relationships with key external audiences, including media, and industry stakeholders.**This position has been segmented as Hybrid meaning there is a combination of 3 onsite days per week and the rest remote.****Responsibilities:*** Partner with CEO, executive and senior leadership and cross functional teams to align external communication strategies with enterprise goals and business priorities.* Develop integrated communication plans that support business goals, operational initiatives, and brand positioning.* Ensure alignment between corporate messaging, media engagement, and community outreach.* Lead the development and execution of enterprise media relations strategy to proactively shape external narratives. Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders, including print, online and broadcast.* Execute media interviews with executives and senior leaders, including print, online and broadcast.* Execute media relations events centered around key financial and strategy announcements and strategic company investments.* Develop proactive storytelling strategies that elevate brand visibility and reinforce corporate priorities.* Serve as a primary spokesperson and media advisor for the organization.* Build and maintain strong relationships with key media targets.* Oversee media monitoring, messaging consistency, and reputation tracking across channels.* Lead and direct external public relations agency and related budget.* Lead issues management external communication strategies, including early identification, assessment, and mitigation of reputational risks.* Develop and execute crisis communication plans in collaboration with senior leadership and legal teams.* Provide rapid response communications support during emerging issues and high-impact events.* Ensure consistent, clear, and timely communication across internal and external stakeholders during crisis situations.* Support externally facing community affairs strategies for driving media awareness.* Oversee external public relations agency.* Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and proactive communication.* Build capabilities in storytelling, stakeholder engagement, crisis response, and strategic communications.* Lead and participate in senior-level cross functional teams.* Other duties assigned by manager.**Supervision:*** 1-3 direct reports including specialist and/or manager level(s) via agency partners.**Relationships:*** **Internal:** Partners closely with CEO, executive leaders; Sr. leadership teams; Legal, HR, Operations, Investor Relations and Marketing.* **External:** Partners closely with media outlets, communication agencies, nonprofit partners and external stakeholders, as well as external public relations agency.**Minimum Qualifications:*** 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, media relations or public affairs.* Proven experience leading media relations and crisis communications at a regional or enterprise level.* Excellent written and oral communication skills.* Strong track record of managing complex issues and reputational risk in a large, matrixed organization.* Expertise in managing external public relations or communications agencies.* Experience counseling and engaging with executive leadership and serving as a trusted communications advisor.**Education:*** Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business or related field, or equivalent related work experience.**Preferred Qualifications:*** Experience in regulated, industrial, logistics, food, or consumer-facing industries.* Experience managing national media relationships and high-visibility corporate narratives.* Background in issues-heavy environments (e.g., supply chain, labor relations, operations, safety, or regulatory contexts).This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus and a RSU package.Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between$125,000 - $195,000**\*\*\*EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/****Age/Genetic Information****/Protected Veteran/Disability Status\*\*\***
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