Corporate Communications Manager

Corporate Communications Manager

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced communications professional to drive the execution of the external components of our Corporate Communications strategy, working to advance our corporate goals and protect our brand across North America.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Communications, and based in Chicago in a hybrid of remote and in-person role, this person will proactively build key relationships internally and externally to mitigate any risks to our reputation and position the company positively for future growth and success.

The right fit for this role exhibits personal initiative while showcasing the behaviors of a collaborative teammate. The USG Corporate Communications team members value collaboration and support for each other's roles. We understand this approach is critical to the overall success of our individual careers, our team, and our company.

You see the bigger picture and can deliver counsel that doesn’t simply do what’s requested, but what will move the needle. You are an excellent project manager and are both a hands-on executor and a manager of projects with agency support as well. You have incredible program management skills and are both a detail-oriented pro and someone who knows how to prioritize tasks to accomplish the goal. Critically, you are able to work independently and with a significant amount of autonomy. You need to be organized, bring ideas to business partners and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that requires flexibility and the ability to handle competing priorities.

Day-to-day work will range from managing public affairs activities surrounding new plant openings or celebrations, to conducting proactive media outreach in key local markets, supporting the agency with the materials and insight required to conduct speaking opportunity outreach and/or media outreach, to handling inbound media calls, and representing the Corporate Communications team on important cross-functional internal workgroups such as sustainability.

Responsibilities includes the following, and performs additional responsibilities as assigned:

• Manage execution of external components of our Communications strategy and annual goals
• Media & Public Relations; Create proactive campaign strategies and manage execution with media relations and public affairs activities, particularly locally, at plants.
• Manage inbound public relations requests and handle issues management
• Manage and execute executive visibility program including: speaking opportunities, media relations activities, social media presence, and bylined article pitching and placement.
• Manage and guide external agency support, as they support our public relations, public affairs, media relations, and issue and crisis management.
• Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy & Community Relations; Create a regional strategic plan for annual giving, sponsorships, volunteer projects, and community engagement opportunities and bridge that strategy with effective execution.
• Public Affairs; Develop and execute a strategy to maintain positive relationships with relevant local elected leaders and community influencers.
• Proactively work with the internal communications team to build well-rounded communications plans that engage the right audience(s) at the right time with the right information.
• Budget Management; Responsible for managing invoices and overseeing a portion of team budget.
• Communications plan creation and execution experience.
• Travel expected approximately 10-25 percent.

NOTE: USG follows a hybrid model where employees work in the corporate office 2 times per week, depending on the needs of their team.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of Corporate Communications experience; in-house Corporate Communications experience required with some agency experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, business-related field, or a complementary degree, or equivalent professional experience relevant to this position.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work with executives and present to the company
• Comfortable as company spokesperson, when needed, speaking on behalf of the company, on the record, for print, online, and broadcast outlets.
• Experience leading and managing external resources (agency support).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks on tight deadlines.
• Ability to interact with top U.S. executives.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to communicate with external audiences.
• Proficiency in AP style
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills; ability to execute with ease in executive meetings and with changing priorities, exhibiting flexibility, resilience, and grace under pressure. Attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Self-starter, organized, motivated, strong ability to find solutions and work well within a team.
• Proficient in MSOffice, including Word and PowerPoint, and able to learn communications platforms/systems
• Display elements of our leadership team’s mantra of “Humble, Hungry, and Smart” from Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player.

Rate of pay may be adjusted based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.

USG employees enjoy a number of benefit options for themselves and their families. These include two medical insurance options, as well as vision and dental coverage. The cost of these optional programs varies based on coverage level - employees generally pay 25% of the monthly premium cost, USG pays the rest. These coverage options are offered on the first day of employment with no waiting period.

Additionally, USG employees enjoy both a 401(k) Investment Plan with company match and a pension plan. Beyond these main features, employees may also choose from a number of additional programs like life insurance, accident insurance, legal insurance, even pet insurance, just to name a few. USG also offers Quarterly (hourly) / Annual (salary) bonus potential for all employees based on performance metrics tied to safety, quality, and productivity. USG also provides employees with paid time off and paid holidays.

Since 1902, Chicago-based USG has been a leader in producing innovative, award-winning products and systems to build everything from major commercial developments and residential housing to home improvements. USG's employees are committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and quality in everything we do. Our steadfast commitment to the company's core business values – innovation, quality, integrity, service, diversity, efficiency and safety – have helped us become the company we are today.

EOE including disability/veteran