Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Legal and Risk Officer, the Company Communication Director leads the development and implementation of comprehensive internal and external communication strategies to support the vision, mission, and brand of Gordon Food Service. Responsible for leading an array of corporate communication activities including positioning, messaging, public and media relations, crisis and issues management and employee communication, including strategy, change and engagement. Requires the ability to leverage a thorough understanding of corporate strategy and exemplify excellence in cross team collaboration to develop and execute communication programs that build and enhance the reputation of Gordon Food Service for all audiences and stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and community members.

Essential Functions:

Corporate Communication Strategy

Create, manage, coordinate and execute long-term strategic communication plans that promote, enhance and protect the organization’s brand reputation.
Implement communication campaigns that properly position the company’s culture and value proposition with all key audiences including customers, suppliers, and employees.

Positioning and Messaging

Ensure a consistent application of the organization's brand messages across all communication vehicles.
Identify opportunities to communicate about the company’s values including its commitment to communities and social responsibility.
Dynamically works with Digital Experience and Marketing Teams to manage components of the external website; develop and maintain website content relative to corporate positioning.
Translates company external branding components into an internal communication strategy that fosters a clear organizational identity and a compelling purpose to increase team member awareness and engagement.

Public and Media Relations

Manage relationships with outside PR and crisis communication firms, key industry reporters, and publication/industry contacts.
Proactively identify and act upon media requests and opportunities.
Identify, prepare, and help present executive leader speaker opportunities.

Issues Management

Work with the leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communication opportunities and solutions; then define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
Handle sensitive, confidential information, initiatives and/or projects and advise senior leadership on associated communication strategy and issues.
Define and document a corporate crisis communication management plan.
Lead and manage communication strategy and execution during crises.

Internal Communication

Develop and implement strategies for advancing internal communication practices and technologies across all North America Business Units and Divisions.
Develop and implement creative solutions that leverage multiple communication channels to create and maintain strong employee engagement and promote company culture.
Identify, design, and implement various internal communication tools including but not limited to internal website, announcements, company newsletter, digital signage, memos and video updates.
Develop and prepare key messaging and presentation materials for senior leaders, including personal executive brand building and support for their strategic objectives.
Manage, evaluate and develop communication staff to support the development and execution of the communication strategies.
Partner with other departments to develop various internal and external communication campaigns in support of various initiatives such as organizational change strategies and program rollouts and initiatives.
Responsible for creating and managing departmental and project budgets.
Partners and consults with project teams, departments, and leaders to develop communication strategies, plans, and messaging that support established objectives.
Visions, develops, and implements new and creative communication channels and content that supports employee engagement strategies.
Develops communication plans and writes communication pieces, including written publications, video scripts, blogs and other pieces as required.
Manages company intranet and digital signage, ensuring content is current and accurate.

Team Management

Ensures that established written communications are developed and distributed according to schedule.
Interviews, hires, trains and retains staff. Conduct bi-annual performance reviews for direct reports, initiating follow through with disciplinary action and termination in consultation with Human Resources.
Collaborates with team members, IT support teams, and external vendors to manage technical systems used for internal communications.
Manages workflow and projects, including deliverables, work assignments, and feedback, within Employee Communication department to meet client expectations and established department goals.
Supports the development of flexible and sustainable communications and engagement solutions across multiple cultures, incorporating local requirements as necessary.
Measures impact of engagement and communications programs against core performance metrics, and publicizes impact of the program to the organization and leadership.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

Practiced knowledge of employee communication, change communication and corporate communication strategy concepts.
Experience in crisis management, providing leadership and direction to develop fast, effective techniques to mitigate risks.
Media training and crisis communication experience.
Demonstrated ability to effectively execute integrated communication plans.
Executive presence and comfort in all interactions with employees, senior-level management and critical external stakeholders.
Ability to build credibility and trust by demonstrating high ethical standards.
Extreme discretion, as work often involves confidential and sensitive information.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distill complex financial, business, and market information and issues into compelling and audience-tailored communications.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, business maturity and discretion, with significant experience working with senior management teams on confidential and high profile matters.
Strong business acumen with a demonstrated ability to make sound business judgments in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to lead through influence, flexibility and diplomacy.
Outstanding time management and organization abilities.
Knowledge of online communication and social media.
Ability to lead efforts across diverse teams.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

What you’ll bring to the table:

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Journalism, Communications, English or related
Ten or more years of leadership experience in corporate communication, B2B communication or public relations with demonstrated experience with managing comprehensive strategic communication, media relations, and marketing programs that advance an organization’s mission and goals.

Be part of an amazing culture where what matters to you, matters to us!

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Gordon Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment, or in terms or conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line. Please keep in mind this method is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free. Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and drug tests all employees.

Gordon Food Service

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