External Communications Manager

External Communications Manager | Primient

About Primient

Primient is a newly independent company with a 100+ year legacy.  We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet.  Primient is a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, and Brazil.   

Primient is a fast-paced, dynamic, and complex continuous manufacturing environment. The company works toward complete and absolute customer satisfaction, in addition to safety, superior quality, and continuous improvement. Primient is committed to making a positive difference for our employees, customers, and communities.  We are firmly rooted in our guiding principles of being Inclusive, Data-Driven, Decisive, having a Continuous Improvement Mindset, and Kindness.

About the Role

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our company by enhancing our brand reputation and fostering positive relationships with our stakeholders and the public. If you're passionate about branding, PR, and making a meaningful impact, we'd love to have you on our team!

The purpose of this role is to partner with key stakeholders, ensuring our external audience understands our business focuses and brand. This understanding will be made clear through effective, on-brand communications that move our business forward. In addition to supporting communications, this role is responsible for forming long-lasting relationships founded on integrity and respect with our community and governmental constituencies in locations where we maintain a presence.

Location: Chicago, IL; Remote

Main Responsibilities

What will you work on?

• Develop and manage corporate brand architecture consistent with business strategy and direction across Primient
• Establish and direct best practice, policy and standards around promotion and use of our corporate brand assets both internally and externally to ensure meaningful alignment and execution.
• Create compelling and dynamic corporate brand messaging, content, design and video assets for use in brand educational / awareness / engagement campaigns, including advertising, website/online content and other media.
• Plan and execute corporate events/meetings, shows, tours and sponsorships to elevate brand awareness and engagement across all stakeholders.
• Engage and collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to drive the development and the execution of messaging that embeds Company objectives and strategies across the Group.
• Serve as a corporate communications liaison between the Company and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Work with Corporate Communications team to develop an effective integrated communications plan that supports our brand and business initiatives.
• Work cross-departmentally with functional leadership to develop, deliver and maintain effective communications and alignment across functions
• Collaborate with senior management to define and refine the company's brand identity, positioning, and messaging.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities for brand differentiation and enhancement.
• Develop comprehensive brand strategies that resonate with our target audience and drive brand loyalty.
• Create compelling and consistent brand messaging across all channels, including digital platforms, social media, press releases, and marketing materials.
• Coordinate with internal teams such as marketing, design, and communications to ensure brand consistency in all external communications.
• Monitor brand perception and sentiment and implement strategies to address any issues or challenges that may arise.
• Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to generate positive media coverage and press opportunities.
• Plan and execute PR campaigns, events, and activations to promote brand awareness and visibility.
• Draft press releases, articles, and other PR materials, and manage media inquiries and interviews.
• Act as a spokesperson for the company during crisis situations and develop crisis communication plans to mitigate reputational risks.
• Monitor and assess potential PR risks and issues, and proactively address them to protect the company's brand reputation.

Qualifications/Requirements

What are we looking for?

• 8-10 years of demonstrated experience in branding/public relations strategy development and execution
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to lead and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, including overseeing cross-functional, multi-region teams.
• Ability to influence senior management and peers
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills
• Excellent public communicator with ability to make presentations and create effective written and web content
• Ability to build strong working relationships across levels and regions.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, organization and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to think out of the box and challenge the status quo.
• Fluency in using web-based and social media communications platforms
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including PowerPoint, Word and Excel

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging; challenges old ways of thinking; and encourages our voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.

Primient encourages a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive motivation, and deliver better business results.

Day to Day

What will you work on?

• Coordinate with internal teams such as marketing, design, and communications to ensure brand consistency in all external communications.
• Monitor brand perception and sentiment and implement strategies to address any issues or challenges that may arise.
• Draft press releases, articles, and other PR materials, and manage media inquiries and interviews.
• Represent the company at community meetings, public forums, and events, and participate in relevant committees or task forces to address community issues and opportunities.
• Collaborate with senior management to define and articulate the company's key messages, values, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison between the company and the community, advocating for community interests and addressing concerns or feedback in a timely and empathetic manner.

Gatekeeping templates and logos for internal communications and branding

• Respond to communication-related issues in shared inboxes in a timely manner
• Community relations support

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are passionate believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, thrive and progress.

Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.