External Communications Manager, Corporate Communications

Job Description

Job Description:

Title: External Communications Manager, Corporate Communications

Location: McLean, VA

Workstyle: Hybrid

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

Mars has been on a journey as a privately-held, family-owned company to build an excellent external reputation. Our reputation is evolving from a company known only by our best-loved brands, to a company that is differentiated through our Purpose.

As a member of the global Corporate Affairs and External Communications team, this Associate will be responsible for helping manage day-to-day communications tasks, including daily news clips, managing the global press inbox, aligning messaging with relevant internal stakeholders, and more. This Associate will also work closely with the Director of External Communications to help develop and implement a media relations strategy that enhances and protects the reputation of Mars.

What will be your responsibilities?

• Manage day-to-day communications tasks, including editing the daily news clips, managing the global press inbox, monitoring media impressions for key stories, and keeping Mars corporate overview documents up to date.

• Support management of outside agencies that partner with us on reputation, media relations, executive visibility and measurement/monitoring.

• Collaborate with the different business units and markets to identify opportunities to develop and leverage reputation-building content. This includes managing regular meetings to align communications calendars, campaign strategies, messaging materials, and other resources.

• Support the wider External Communications team in developing a media strategy focused on the economic and social contribution of Mars, as well as its sustainability efforts to showcase Mars as a growing and diverse business that is responsible in its approach to growth.
• Help develop and implement thought leadership for our senior leaders and subject matter experts. This includes identifying, creating content for and promoting relevant speaking engagements, partnerships, trade activity, and media opportunities.
• Build relationships with key reporters and editors, and create opportunities to shape our reputation in the media.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s Degree required (Public Policy, Communications, Journalism or related field strongly preferred).
• Between 2-4 years of experience in external communications and US media relations. Must have strong written communication and copywriting skills with ability to concisely articulate complex issues.
• Experience working in a PR agency or within a global corporate organization strongly preferred.
• Has a core understanding of US media and how it works – can effectively develop relationships with reporters to accomplish the company’s objectives and manage messages in stories.
• Agency management experience a plus
• Excellent writing skills with experience of drafting press releases, memos, talking points, op-eds, and speeches; pitching and responding to reporter inquiries;
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with national and international reporters, broadcasters and producers
• Ability to identify opportunities, build reputationally positive relationships and implement broad-sweeping, global corporate reputation activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to establish strong working relationship with colleagues.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 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.