Director, Integrated Communications

At SpartanNash, we deliver the ingredients for a better life through customer-focused innovation. We do this for our supply chain customers and U.S. military commissaries, retail store guests and, most importantly, our Associates. In fact, we see a day when each will say, “I can’t live without them.”

Our SpartanNash family of Associates is 17,500 strong, ranging from bakery managers to order selectors; from IT developers to vice presidents of finance; from HR Business Partners to export specialists. Each of them plays an integral role in SpartanNash’s People First culture, Operational Excellence and Insights that Drive Solutions. Ready to contribute to the success of our food solutions company? Apply now!

Location:

850 76th Street S.W. - Byron Center, Michigan 49315

Job Description:

This position serves as the primary storyteller for the SpartanNash brand with external audiences that include media, customers, suppliers, community partners, shareholders, job candidates and more. The Director oversees communications systems, channels and resources to create, modify and sustain engaging content across earned and owned corporate media channels.

• Develop, lead and execute PR, video, web, creative, event and social media strategies for the SpartanNash corporate brand, ensuring messaging and campaigns are fully integrated as appropriate.

• Identify ways to extend and reinforce key messages across all owned and earned, digital and physical channels, to drive deeper awareness and engagement with key stakeholders.

• Develop, manage and execute communications for high-profile internal and external events through presentations, talking points, experiential activations, entertainment and more.

• Manage a team of 5-10 people as well as a PR agency, video production partners and other key vendors.

• Support the ongoing development and execution of the corporate communications strategy and a cohesive top-tier national, local and trade PR strategy through an Integrated Communications approach.

• Support executives and influence key leaders and teams with prioritizing external messages across a variety of channels, including at in-person speaking events.

• Have strong leadership skills to make strategic decisions and inform, educate and pitch new ideas.

• Support financial team with quarterly investor calls, press releases/scripts, presentations and in-person events.

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive business results and bolster corporate reputation, including executive thought leadership messaging and stories regarding employment branding, retail stores, private label brands, supply chain, pharmacy/community health, ESG and more.

• Stay current with the latest trends in news, pop culture and the grocery industry to keep SpartanNash on the cutting edge of innovation with new story ideas and PR opportunities.

• Lead the oversight of corporate social media accounts, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, YouTube and more, to generate views and fan engagement with the goal of improving public perception of SpartanNash and attracting top talent to the organization.

• Responsible for corporate “listening” and assisting in leading and responding during times of crisis.

• Acts as a company spokesperson in responding to media inquiries.

• Owns media relations, ensuring media messaging and materials are up-to-date and on-brand.

 
 Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required) in Communications, Marketing, Human Resources, Public Relations or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. 

• Master’s Degree (Preferred).  

• 10 years of related communications and/or project management experience required. 8 years of experience leading direct reports.

• Cross functional experience in large scale multi-site communications for retail, distribution, manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, human resources strongly preferred.  

• Experience writing for various channels of communication (social media, print, website, etc.) 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.  

• Strong interviewing, organizational project management, prioritization and attention to detail skills. 

• Ability to work with and influence associates of all levels and areas of the organization.  

• Knowledge of content management systems, video and podcast production, virtual meeting platforms, recruiting tools and emerging communications technology.  

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  

• Experience with video and editing software preferred.  

• Ability to travel up to 15%.  

• The ideal candidate is able to see the big picture; identify/understand organizational communications trends/challenges and relate them to SpartanNash's strategy.  

• A problem-solver as demonstrated by a track record of addressing difficult issues and working resiliently to provide solutions.  

• A strong leader with a proven track record of driving change within a highly matrixed organization structure.  

• Capable of building successful working relationships across the business to become a value-added partner.  

• Must be able to multi-task and move quickly across a number of initiatives while showing flexibility and resilience and an ability to accept change and new inputs that might drive work in a new direction. 

 

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
May be required to lift and/or move 20 pounds. The associate is frequently required to sit/stand/walk. While performing the duties of this position, the associate is subject to a typical office environment and is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions. Temperatures may vary for those subject to any of the following areas: computer/server room, print shop, production area). The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate but may be high in distribution settings. Travel requirements vary by assignment.

As part of our People First culture, SpartanNash is proud to offer a robust and competitive Total Rewards benefits package.

SpartanNash is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veteran, that celebrates diversity and believes employing a diverse workforce is key to our success. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals.

We are not able to sponsor work visas for this position.