Senior Manager, Corporate Communications (Chicago, US)

At Suntory Global Spirits, we craft spirits of the highest quality and deliver brilliant experiences to people around the world. Suntory Global Spirits has evolved into the world's third largest leading premium spirits company ... where each employee is treated like family and trusted with legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Suntory Global Spirits is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

What makes this a great opportunity?

Operating within the Global Communications Center of Excellence, the Senior Manager, Internal Corporate Communications is part of a team of professionals within Global Corporate Communications. Reporting to the Director of North America & Global Supply Chain Communications, the Sr. Manager will be responsible for developing and executing internal communications strategies in support of the company’s largest commercial business in North America and its Global Supply Chain organization.

This role is largely focused on internal communications but will require some external communications engagement with trade media.

This individual will work closely with colleagues across North America and Supply Chain leaders to understand business priorities and clearly communicate those to our employees. They will be responsible for both developing and executing communications strategies that promote employee engagement, foster understanding of business objectives and performance and help build the company’s reputation and employer brand externally. A key aspect of this role includes supporting the company’s manufacturing communications plan, ensuring that hourly employees are engaged and informed of company news.

This role will also work closely with the Global Corporate Communications team to ensure North America and Supply Chain stories are represented across the global internal communications channels, sharing the work of North America and Supply Chain as appropriate with our broader employee base.

Prior internal communications experience is a requirement for this role. The right candidate is equally comfortable in both communications strategy and in tactical execution. This role requires an experienced communications professional who is a strong and creative writer; an out-of-box thinker; a quick learner; has excellent project and time-management skills; has practical problem-solving skills; is able to influence and drive consensus across functions; and can provide concise and specific recommendations to senior management. This person is necessarily a self-starter, able to roll up his/her sleeves and jump in to help teams, with a demonstrated passion for learning.

Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities

• Partner closely with leaders across key Commercial and Supply Chain functions to support content development for strategic projects. Ensure consistent, high-quality and timely communications are delivered to all key stakeholders and cascaded appropriately.
• Collaborate with Communications Director to develop content and manage regional and functional town halls.
• Provide strategic oversight of content development and alignment for key stakeholder events, such as leader meetings and annual sales meeting.
• Write and edit leader messages, org announcements and talking points. Support change communications as needed.
• Support development and execution of executive visibility plan and inbound trade media inquiries as needed.
• As a member of the Corporate Communications team, stay apprised of all key internal communications initiatives and opportunities across functions, developing and sharing best practices and supporting broader team projects and initiatives as needed, including local Proof Positive and CSR efforts.
• Proven ability to develop knowledge of the competitive landscape to help inform the region’s communications approach.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative style, works well in cross-functional teams.
• Global viewpoint with ability to think cross-culturally.
• Strong stakeholder management skills. Ability to work within a matrixed organization. Ability to provide concise and specific recommendations to senior management.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple tasks and projects and thrive in a rapid-paced, constantly changing environment.
• Strong team player, eager to roll up sleeves and support broader initiatives as they arise.
• Minimum 8-10 years corporate communications experience, in-house or agency. Experience in internal communications is required.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications or a related field.
• Previous experience in employee communications reaching deskless employee populations preferred.
• Ability to travel, including global travel.
• Office-based role with flexibility to work remotely up to 40% of the time.
  
  
  

The salary range for this role, based in Chicago, is $115,000- $125,000, along with an annual bonus, 401K match, profit sharing, and medical and wellness benefits. The salary range is commensurate with the candidate’s location, experience, and skillset. The range will vary if outside of this location.

At Suntory Global Spirits, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Suntory Global Spirits is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant’s skills and experience.