Brand Communications Manager

About the position

The Brand Communications Manager will help drive brand communication strategy and execute earned- and influence-led brand initiatives that drive reputation, increased awareness and growth of Mars Pet Nutrition’s portfolio of brands in North America. Work will include executing external programs, content creation, and thought leadership programs, by partnering with the marketing organization, broader Corporate Affairs team and agency partners, to elevate the profile of the Mars PNNA portfolio of brands, including PEDIGREE, CESAR, SHEBA, NUTRO, GREENIES, IAMS, and TEMPTATIONS.

Responsibilities

• Lead year-long brand communications plans, including brand PR tentpoles, influencer and creator programs and communities strategies, to drive awareness, reputation and growth for select brands in the Mars Pet Nutrition North America (PNNA) portfolio.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving earned media landscape and new media trends which can help influence and reach our target audience, with a growth and digital-first approach.
• Serve as a brand communication and earned media subject matter expert on cross-functional Mars teams and integrated agency teams (IAT), providing counsel on topics including PR amplification plans, earned media strategy, influencer and creator programs, brand reputation risk, brand crisis/issues and more.
• Ability to engage with senior-level decisionmakers by providing effective counsel, drafting actionable recommendations, and delivering thoughtful insights while connecting strategic dots across all areas of the business.
• Manage PR agency partners, from planning to execution, to deliver culture- and digital-first brand communication strategies for select brands in the Mars PNNA portfolio, including measurement and reporting.
• Develop, edit, and distribute brand communications materials for both external and internal distribution including press releases, key messaging/Q&A documents, social media posts, presentations, executive speeches and company-wide digital communications.
• Partner across functions and Corporate Affairs to create 360 brand plans that drive media externally while fostering Associate pride in brand work internally.
• Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders on overall project management to manage and communicate portfolio-wide priority announcements, launches and other milestones.
• Assist in creation of campaign budgets and external partner statements of work (SOW) and support management of year-long brand PR budget, including tracking and reporting, for select brands within the PNNA portfolio.
• Collaborate across owned, earned, shared, and influencer channels to deliver integrated storytelling experiences that meet audiences where they are.
• Stay current with emerging technologies (e.g. generative AI, content automation) and assess their impact on storytelling and communications.
• In partnership with the Director of Brand Communications, leverage analytics and measurement tools to track and optimize PR performance, including integration into MMM.
• Support proactive and reactive media relations, and event opportunities.
• Complete special projects and programs, as assigned.

Requirements

• 5-7 years relevant professional experience in brand PR/communications.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism or associated profession is required, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Proven success in driving communications across multiple brands and businesses is preferred.
• Must have strong oral and written communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders in a large organization.
• Digitally savvy and understands evolving media landscape.
• Agency experience/agency management is a plus.
• Ability to travel.

Benefits

• 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.