Manager, Public Affairs & Community Relations at Ferrara Pan Candy Co., Inc. in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Job Location: Chicago





Want to make an impact?



The Manager, Public Affairs and Community Relations, you will help build and scale Ferrara's ongoing work with our communities, local government officials and other policymakers and stakeholders. Specifically, you will work with the Company's VP of Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications to craft the strategy and plans that protect and enhance the reputation of Ferrara as a growth business and key community partner. You will be responsible for helping to manage government relations/issues, stakeholder relations and community connections and will help manage issues at the state, county and local levels that impact, or potentially impact, the current business practices and the future growth and profitability of the company.

As the ideal candidate, you will have an established track record of successfully managing government relations programs and possess external and internal political acumen. You work well independently and across teams, agile, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly, and comfortable in a high-pressure environment.




Ways you will make a difference

• Develop, manage, and enable delivery of key messages to important stakeholder audiences to clearly define and communicate the company's strategic business priorities, while also promoting company brands and programs
• Manage the identification of government-related business opportunities and facilitate discussions with government to support those efforts
• Work hand-in-hand with company lobbyists working to shape our priorities and messaging for legislative and regulatory policy conversations
• Plan, draft and launch communications campaigns and messaging supporting government relations and community relations goals and develop and manage the budget
• Work with team leader to Counsel the company Senior Leadership Team on issues management and conduct message training
• Track and inform company of all matters of interest and help provide analysis of legislative or proposed regulations and updating with reports on subsequent action.
• Execute community outreach strategy, ensuring partnerships that align to business needs and objectives
• Represent Ferrara and Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications Team at external meetings, events and ceremonies

• Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Demonstrated ability to build strategies aligned with business goals and company culture
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong sense of initiative and ability to work under pressure on multiple projects with tight deadlines

• 5-7 years of Government Relations and Public Affairs experience, including community relations
• Bachelor's degree required
• Microsoft Office proficiency
• Travel requirement - 20% travel
• This position must pass a post-offer background and drug test
• Project and budget management