Communications Manager - Paints & Coatings

The Communications Manager will be responsible for driving and managing AkzoNobel’s external reputation and public affairs in predominantly the US but also in Canadian markets. This includes building or leveraging existing relationships with key consumer, business, trade, innovation, sustainability and other relevant media outlets, developing proactive external communications strategies and providing communications counsel to local business leaders and operational sites in the US and Canada. The position will support external communications, including crisis communciations, for all Performance Coatings business units operating in the U.S. and Canada region, the positioning and profiling of senior executives located in the North American market and the global corporate communications agenda. The Communications Manager will also be responsible for developing and implementing a social media strategy in the region leveraging the company’s existing social media channels.

The Communications Manager External Relations will also support the global Public Affairs strategy.

The role will be based in Chicago, IL, AkzoNobel’s North American regional headquarters. The role will report to the Head of Communications, Americas.

Essential Responsibilities:

An external communications expert with a strong and influential (traditional and non-traditional) media network and a proven track record of effective delivery of integrated, multi-channel external communications/PR programs and campaigns. Keys to success in this position are a hands-on and digital savvy communications professional who will focus on execution to drive awareness of AkzoNobel in the region. Position will require a team player who can prioritize, plan and coordinate multiple business demands in line with the defined external communication strategies.

Requirements (education or experience required to be able to perform this job):

• 7-10 years’ experience in external communications, media relations, public affairs and social media
• University degree in communications, journalism or a related field, with exceptional writing and presentation skills
• A strong and established network of (traditional and non-traditional) media contacts
• Experience working in an international matrix organization
• Previous experience managing media relations at a PR agency or in a corporate communications environment
• Experience with complex communication issues, crisis communications and serving as a company spokesperson 
• Experience managing external vendors including a PR agency
• Knowledge of “news jacking” strategies and story mining
• Understanding of market trends and the ability to translate these into communication opportunities
• Proven ability to manage and implement both national and global external communications campaigns with a proven track record of digital campaign development and execution
• Proactive attitude and comfortable working under pressure

Key Objectives and Accountabilities:

• Responsible for designing external communication strategies that drive AkzoNobel’s reputation with key stakeholders and are aligned to the overall company positioning
• Protect and enhance the AkzoNobel brand through campaigns that support the overall reputation drivers
• Conduct ongoing proactive media and stakeholder relations to build the reputation of AkzoNobel in the market
• Act as an official press officer/spokesperson for the region ( first point of contact) and act as the trusted communications advisor to the country leadership team

Support the global media team in day-to-day issues/topics, specifically with:

• Preparing interviews for AkzoNobel executives and specialists who act as company spokespeople
• Creation of holding statements, press releases and Q&As
• Organizing media events in the region i.e. media briefings, media lunches, planning interviews, media trips, blogger/vlogger outreach etc.
• Provide crisis and issues management support
• Monitor and report progress against agreed external communications (traditional and non-traditional) targets and objectives as defined by the global media relations function and market objectives
• In case of crisis, act as first line of contact for media and responsible for monitoring and analyzing (online and offline) press coverage