Senior External Communications Manager

Senior External Communications Manager

Based in St Albans/Hybrid WFH

Permanent

This exciting role will be part of the Corporate Affairs team, which is made up of external communications, internal communications and public affairs. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, this is a fast-paced and varied role, with responsibility for strengthening and protecting the corporate reputation of Premier Foods among key external stakeholders through exceptional communications.

As a listed Company and a major UK food manufacturing business employing a significant number of colleagues, and home to some of the nation’s most loved and iconic brands, the business attracts a lot of interest on a wide range of topics and from multiple stakeholders.

This role has responsibility for all corporate communication to external stakeholders, including ensuring a seamless quarterly financial results process and messaging to the media, proactive corporate PR, development of engaging content for our corporate channels, and the successful management of a busy press office.  Our brands sit at the heart of our business, so this role also has oversight of all Brand led consumer and trade communications and engagement.

The role would suit someone who is passionate about food and working with iconic food brands, enjoys writing and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders and is keen to be part of a growing business with a clear strategy to expand into new categories, grow internationally and acquire new brands.

What we need from you....?

• Demonstrable professional experience of working within corporate / external communications
• Proven track record of effectively managing a busy press office of media and other external stakeholder enquiries
• Experience and interest in working for a listed business and managing the quarterly financial reporting
• Experience in running successful proactive corporate PR campaigns and creative flair in packaging engaging, corporate news stories
• Ability to write and edit content for a range of audiences and channels
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Confident and able to influence at all levels
• Works at pace, managing multiple deadlines

What you'll be doing...?

• Manage the full year, half year and quarterly results process, including drafting of all media materials and working closely with the Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Director to showcases our brands, consumer trends and group strategy in action
• Develop a compelling and engaging proactive corporate PR plan, focused in particular on communicating our investment case, strategy in action and delivery against our ESG strategy, working closely with our corporate agency and key internal stakeholders
• Provide strategic counsel to members of the senior team and Executive Leadership Team
• Manage the business’ busy press office and act as the first point of contact in our business for all reactive corporate media enquiries
• Support senior leaders with developing and managing proactive and reactive media opportunities, drafting written content, briefing documents and providing direction and counsel as appropriate
• Alongside our Corporate Agency, support the business to develop and maintain high quality relationships with key target media
• With the support of the team’s Communications Executive, take responsibility for ensuring the corporate website is kept up to date with fresh content and make suggestions for how this can be developed as a shop window for key corporate stakeholders
• Devise, manage and implement a sustainable corporate social media strategy for the business, including all content generation/oversight and driving engagement across key corporate channels
• Play a key role in drafting all communication to multiple external stakeholders around M&A transactions
• Build strong links with marketing and provide oversight and advice on all trade and consumer PR and digital activity
• Draft and oversee industry awards e.g.: FDF
• Work closely with our customer careline team to oversee any reputational issues that may arise
• Manage the business’ press cuttings agency and deliver timely and effective day-to-day media monitoring across the business
• Act as key day-to-day contact for corporate PR agency
• Support the Director of Corporate Affairs with issues and crisis management as required
• Stay abreast of and update the business on wider business and industry trends and issues
• Work with the wider communications and public affairs team, to ensure a coordinated approach to communications and content sharing

What we offer you in return...?

• Competitive salary
• Bonus
• Up to 7.5% pension
• Life assurance
• Wide range of online and in-house training
• Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers

Ready to apply...?

Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.

A great British food company 

Premier Foods is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,000 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country.

Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you’ll find them in 90% of British households.

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.