Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations

Job Description
Responsible for development of global communications strategy designed to support and enhance Mary Kay Inc.'s global brand and reputation, including media relations, crisis management, and Public Relations initiatives. Leads teams of communications and media relations professionals who refine and execute the global Corporate Communications strategy in collaboration with, and in support of, key business partners. Collaborates with key partners across the organization to drive alignment of corporate messaging across divisions, regions and markets. Identifies and ensures preparedness of company spokespersons.
Directs the development of global crisis communications strategies (both proactive and reactive) and provides advice and counsel to impacted leaders during crisis situations. Proactively monitors issues impacting the Company and offers insights and initiatives to remain ahead of media and the marketplace. Provides advice, counsel and strategic direction to Executive Committee, Region Presidents, Subsidiary GMs and other key company leaders on responses (proactive or reactive) to sensitive matters which require the highest level of professional skill, maturity and confidentiality. Ensures communications strategy and messaging to highlight and support the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainability efforts. Supports and sponsors the company's community involvement and Public Relations initiatives.
Responsibilities

• Guides and collaborates with relevant partners in the development of global crisis management strategies, processes, procedures and best practices, including prepared responses in anticipation of foreseeable issues impacting the company or industry. Leads global crisis assessment to proactively plan communication strategies and tools which can immediately be implemented to address media or Public Relations issues encountered by the company or its subsidiaries.
• Develops and drives strategic focus toward proactive communications (including traditional and social media) that create and enhance global consumer and public awareness of Mary Kay Inc., its corporate mission, public profile and corporate reputation, as well as its unique business opportunity, and the impact and role of the company in key markets. Builds and develops a team of communications and Public Relations professionals who enhance and execute the global communications strategy.
• Ensures targeted press releases, media advisories, and media pitches are timely created and distributed globally. Oversees the Corporate Communications team's development and maintenance of targeted business and general press media lists, ongoing relationships with key media, and execution of media events. Oversees team's planning and execution of PR-related special events. Plans and executes various integrated Public Relations programs in conjunction with Region Teams and key country/subsidiary staff.
• Develops communication strategy for the Company's participation in corporate sponsorships and contribution programs. Provides input on the company's philanthropic presence.
• Provides advice and counsel to the board of The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, as requested, to ensure that projects of the Company and the Foundation are leveraged, and that the impact of those projects will have positive media and other impact on the Company, the Foundation, employees, members of the independent sales force, and external audiences.
• Provides strategic direction on any communications related issues arising from or related to various matters including, but not limited to, any and all litigation to which the Company is a party, any and all regulatory and compliance matters affecting the Company, and other operational matters which can affect the Company or its reputation in the marketplace. Provides strategic direction on stakeholder enhancement. Builds strategic alliances and coalitions with key constituency groups at the local, national and international level whose work and mission are aligned with the Company's business and philanthropic priorities.
• Leads team responsible for analysis of national business climate globally to proactively identify possible crisis communication situations; monitoring of emerging domestic and international crisis situations that may have a material negative impact on Mary Kay Inc., and tracking of Company issues that may affect public perceptions of the Company. Responsible for leading the development of corresponding tools, such as white papers, standby media statements and sales force verbal response statements, that define the official Company reaction to crisis situations and enable Mary Kay Inc. to provide consistent, on-target messages to all internal and external audiences during crisis communication situations. Serves as Company crisis communications expert and media spokesperson and leads the Mary Kay Inc. Crisis Response Team. Directs outside resources regarding their efforts to monitor threats and provide critical information needed for Company response.
• Directs and leads the Company's reactive media relations by analyzing media situations, determining appropriate response such as drafting messages and developing strategies that support the Company's overall business objectives, obtaining senior management approval and communicating messages to the media. Responsible for reactive media relations in addition to other job responsibilities; reactive media relations typically cannot be anticipated or planned for and must receive immediate attention.
• Directs the development of media training and specific issue analysis (such as talking points, backgrounders and/or white papers) to executive management, key Company leaders (including Region Presidents) and independent sales force members facing media situations and ensures that media training is properly completed. Responsible for identifying strategic media opportunities and leading Corporate Communications team efforts in this respect. Coordinates and participates in actual interview situations to ensure ground rules are followed and Company participants achieve previously set goals for the media situation.
• Partners with Corporate Brand and Regional teams and key departments to collaborate and support the Company's targeted advertising concepts and messages that complement the Company's overall business and marketing objectives. Secures necessary executive approvals. Works strategically with key departments throughout the company, either at Corporate, Region or subsidiary level, to provide support and to leverage efforts of product media, as well as media regarding independent sales force and Company's other initiatives.
• Oversees fulfillment of external requests for Mary Kay Inc. information via press kits, samples, etc. Provides editorial services for internal departments to ensure a consistent, positive image is portrayed in communications. Manages endorsement publicity for vendors and suppliers. Evaluates on regular basis number of impressions in various media (print and online) and evaluates from strategic perspective any adjustments or changes which need to occur to protect Company reputation and maximize positive media coverage of Company reputation and image.
• Manages relationships with outside Public Relations agencies as needed, whether a business, lifestyle and crisis firm or in other areas of media coverage. Coordinates efforts of outside agencies on global issues, which include but are not limited to Company and industry reputation and specific subsidiary issues.
• Actively participates in key committees of industry trade associations, working in collaboration with trade association staff and counterparts at competitors to ensure that strategy is established to proactively support Company/industry image, reputation and brand. Regularly interacts with senior public affairs and executive staff at key trade associations to ensure consistent action in response to reputational threat to Company and industry.
• This job requires on-site work at a Mary Kay facility.

Skills & Experience
Experience: 8 -10 years of varied Public Relations/media relations/crisis management experience, including 5 years of progressive staff management experience. Experience in a consumer product or direct selling environment highly preferred.
Education: Bachelor/University Degree in Communications, Political Science, Business or other related field

• Must have outstanding oral and written communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to draft clean and concise press releases, media alerts, position papers and other key documents. Must be skilled presenting to large groups of people, as well as being able to project poise and calmness while effectively communicating official Company position during potentially chaotic situations.
• Requires demonstrated expertise in developing and managing key media relationships.
• Requires excellent human relations and communication skills, tact, diplomacy and a high level of professionalism in order to interface with all levels of management/ executives, independent sales force, the media and the general public.
• Demonstrated strategic planning and execution experience.
• Strong leadership, employee development, and managerial skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive alignment across a complex organization.