Media Relations Manager

Ace Hardware Corporation

Ace Hardware Corporation has grown to become one of the nation's leading retailer owned cooperatives with more than 5,000 domestic and international stores and an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. Our annual retail sales in the multi-billions rank Ace in the top 25 of all U.S. retailers. If you're passionate about your career and want to contribute to a company you can believe in, consider sharing your talent with us. Join us in continuing our legacy of making Ace "the helpful place."

http://www.acehardware.com


Position Details

Media Relations Manager
Job
Full-time
12/11/2017
Northern Illinois
Oak Brook, IL

The Job:

Ace Hardware is seeking a media relations leader to join its Corporate Communications department. Reporting to the Director of Corporate Communications, Ace’s Media Relations Manager role is responsible for proactively and reactively managing all areas of corporate media relations for Ace. Areas of responsibility include corporate reputation, corporate social media, company announcements, crisis/issues management and corporate social responsibility.

What you’ll do:

  • Develop media relations strategy that will further advance Ace’s corporate reputation by positioning Ace, its executives and retailers as leaders in the retail landscape. 
  • Field all incoming corporate media inquiries; liaise with internal business partners to source accurate media response information; serve as lead company spokesperson. 
  • Nimbly react to national and local crisis situations, working closely with executive and cross-functional teams. During times of weather disasters, serve as lead crisis communicator for external communication efforts. 
  • Prepare all executives and company employees for media interviews through media training, preparation of media briefing materials and key message development. 
  • Establish and maintain relationships with top tier national reporters and trade journalists; travel with CEO and other executives to attend all media interviews (approximately 10% travel per year) 
  • Support Ace’s network of Retail Support Centers with media training, materials and support. 
  • Develop high-profile written communications for major company announcements, including press releases and strategic communication plans. 
  • Oversee company newsroom content development, as well as engaging corporate social media content development (LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.). Develop concepts for company infographics and manage development of infographics by graphic designers (quarterly earnings, announcements, etc.). 
  • Serve as lead media relations business partner for department leaders across the organization (ie: New Business, Ace Foundation, and Merchandising). Identify business partner media objectives and build plans to generate results. 
  • Analyze data, develop quarterly measurement reporting for senior leaders. 
  • Manage internal and external resources, including corporate PR agency and Senior Media Relations Specialist.

What you need to succeed:

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in corporate public relations, in-house experience working for a major brand is preferred 
  • Must be an effective and confident communicator, with expertise in AP Style writing 
  • Proven ability to pitch national, trade and local media, secure coverage and maintain reporter relationships 
  • Proven ability to manage crisis situations and issues on behalf of a major brand 
  • Strong understanding of journalistic principles and the changing media landscape 
  • Excellent executive presence and ability to communicate/work closely with company leaders 
  • Experience managing both direct reports and agency partners 
  • Proven track record of successful social media execution with a clear understanding of how to effectively use a variety of social media platforms and how to write for social media audiences 
  • Analytical mindset to define and review media relations performance results 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining superior attention to detail 
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills for managing business partner relationships 
  • Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university, with degree in related field like communications, journalism or public relations


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