Based out of Home Office in Wyoming, MI and reporting to the Chief Legal & Risk Officer, the Director of Company Communication is the senior-most communication leader who leads the development and implementation of comprehensive internal and external communication strategies to support the vision, mission, and corporate brand of Gordon Food Service. Requires a commitment to collaboration, a passion for service, strategic and critical thinking, well-honed leadership skills.

How you will make an impact:

Corporate Communication Strategy

• Create, manage, coordinate and execute long-term strategic communication plans that promote, enhance and protect the organization's brand and reputation.

• Implement communication campaigns that properly position the company's culture and value proposition with all key audiences including customers, suppliers, and employees as well as the public, government and community stakeholders.

Positioning and Messaging

• Ensure a consistent application of the organization's brand messages across all communication vehicles.

• Identify opportunities to communicate about the company's values and capabilities including its commitment to communities and social responsibility through stewardship.

• Effectively works with various stakeholders to manage components of the external websites and social channels; develop and maintain content relative to corporate positioning.

• Translates company external branding components into an internal communication strategy that fosters a clear organizational identity and a compelling purpose to increase team member awareness and engagement.

Public and Media Relations

• Manage relationships with outside PR and crisis communication firms, key industry reporters, and publication/industry contacts.

• Responds to media inquiries with well-considered position statements.

• Identify, prepare, and help present executive leader speaker opportunities.

• Develop an executive brand strategy and internal speakers bureau, training and preparing executives to represent the company.

• Interact with Government officials, Chambers of Commerce and other external organizations on behalf of the company.

Issues Management

• Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communication opportunities and solutions; then define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.

• Handle sensitive, confidential information, initiatives and/or projects and advise senior leadership on associated communication strategy and issues.

• Define and document a corporate crisis communication management plan.

• Lead and manage communication strategy and execution during crises.

Internal Communication

• Develop and implement strategies for advancing internal communication practices and technologies across all North America Business Units and Divisions.

• Develop and implement creative solutions that leverage multiple communication channels to create and maintain strong employee engagement and promote company culture.

• Identify, design, and implement various internal communication tools including but not limited to internal communication application, announcements, digital signage, memos and video updates.

• Develop and prepare key messaging and presentation materials for senior leaders, including personal executive brand building and support for their strategic objectives.

• Manage, evaluate and develop communication staff to support the development and execution of the communication strategies.

• Partner with other departments to develop various internal and external communication campaigns in support of various initiatives such as organizational change strategies and program rollouts and initiatives.

• Responsible for creating and managing departmental and project budgets.

• Partners and consults with project teams, departments, and leaders to develop communication strategies, plans, and messaging that support established objectives.

• Visions, develops, and implements new and creative communication channels and content that supports employee engagement strategies, company strategies and corporate objectives..

• Develops communication plans and oversees creation of communication pieces, including written publications, video scripts, blogs and other pieces as required. Creates compelling storytelling and effective visual communication.

• Oversees company communication application and digital signage, ensuring content is visually compelling, current and accurate.

Team Management

• Ensures that established written communications are developed with high quality and distributed according to schedule.

• Interviews, hires, trains and retains staff. Conduct annual performance reviews for direct reports, initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with Human Resources.

• Collaborates with team members, IT support teams, and external vendors to manage technical systems used for internal communications.

• Manages workflow and projects, including deliverables, work assignments, and feedback, within the department to meet client expectations and established department goals.

• Supports the development of flexible and sustainable communications and engagement solutions across multiple cultures, incorporating local requirements as necessary.

• Measures impact of engagement and communications programs against core performance metrics, and publicizes impact of the program to the organization and leadership.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Practiced knowledge of employee communication, change communication and corporate communication strategy concepts.

• Experience in crisis management, providing leadership and direction to develop fast, effective techniques to mitigate risks.

• Media training and crisis communication experience.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively execute integrated communication plans.

• Executive presence and comfort in all interactions with employees, senior-level management and critical external stakeholders.

• Ability to build credibility and trust by demonstrating high ethical standards.

• Commitment to a high-level of discretion, as work often involves confidential and sensitive information.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distill complex financial, business, and market information and issues into compelling and audience-tailored communications.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, business maturity and discretion, with significant experience working with senior management teams and executives on confidential and high profile matters.

• Strong business acumen with a demonstrated ability to make sound business judgments in a complex, fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to lead through influence, flexibility and diplomacy.

• Outstanding time management and organization abilities.

• Knowledge of online communication and social media.

• Ability to lead efforts across diverse teams.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. The EEO is the Law poster is available here:http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words "Accommodation Request" in your subject line. Please keep in mind this method is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.

Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and drug tests all employees.