Director, Corporate Communications International

Job Description

About the Position

We have a unique opportunity for an experienced Communications professional to make a difference at Kraft Heinz. Based at the Company’s regional headquarters in Amsterdam, the position will be responsible for external and internal communications for the Company’s business outside of North America. The role reports into Global Communications, with a dotted line to Zone leadership. The role will lead a team of direct reports, as well as an extended group of dotted line communicators.  

Main Responsibilities

We are looking for a seasoned communications leader to help promote and protect the Kraft Heinz reputation with external and internal audiences. They should have a consistent track record of developing and driving internal and external communications plans, as well as crisis communications experience. They are a team-player who can build trusted relationships and balance multiple priorities.

External Communications:

News engine:

• Develop a Zone press office strategy to proactively generate positive media coverage for Kraft Heinz, our priority markets and/or brands, and our role as an agriculture company and global food maker
• Adapt and tailor global press office strategy to meet Zone priorities, helping to tell a single global narrative with locally relevant examples
• Collaborate and partner with Global Communications to amplify Zone campaigns globally, internally + externally
• Develop integrated, effective processes to gather proof-points from other leaders (communications and BUs) across the International Zones and to better understand risks and opportunities across each BU/the Zone
• Responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key international/market-relevant media
• Conduct regular outreach to key media to secure top-tier placements; lead teams across Zone who are maintaining local media relationships
• Serve as communications expert on corporate projects and programs as part of our Company’s strategic transformation. Verticals of focus include M&A, Financial Communications, and Sustainability
• Collaborate with Global Communications team to develop monitoring and measurement process, to include qualitative and quantitative goals/measures. Adapt measurement and approach for Zone-wide use, setting best practice across the zones

Content:

• Input into global content strategy and tailor for specific internal and external audiences across global, including but not limited to consumers, investors, customers, and employees (salaried and factory)
• Adapt content strategy to support the international zones, ensuring quality and stories that match the mission, vision and values of Kraft Heinz, including owned and unique images, video, b-roll, infographics, zone leadership newsletters, emails, etc.

Exec Visibility:

• Build proactive executive visibility plans (media, social media, conference/speaking) for zone presidents, elevating their presence and voice internally and externally

Crisis/Issue Management:

• Act as lead point of contact for zone crisis comms
• Support the evolution of the corporation’s crisis response capability, partnering with the VP Global Corporate Communications, including overseeing the evolution of existing zone crisis communication processes and procedures, crisis training/simulations for the senior leadership team and continued training, preparation, and process improvement across the enterprise
• Serve as leader of Kraft Heinz real-time issues response team within the international zones, acting as liaison with legal and other appropriate stakeholders and a key source for executive counsel for issues management/response

Internal Communications:

• In collaboration with Global Internal Communications, develop and execute internal communications for international Zones, including town halls, leader connects, newsletters, etc.
• Drive coordination across international teams (direct and dotted line reports) to ensure consistent delivery of company messages across local communications
• Input into and help develop global internal communications strategy and plan, and translate to Zones based on business priorities
• Directly support Zone leaders with their internal comms strategy and messages/moments

Team Management / Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as manager and mentor to 4 direct report(s) and liaison for one communications team globally, helping to ensure seamless execution of company programs in multiple markets and with global message consistency.
• Meet regularly with key internal stakeholders (BUs, Zone leaders, executives, etc.) to solidify relationships, better understand business progress/find examples to demonstrate Company & zone strategies, narrative to feed ongoing news engine storytelling
• Recommend appropriate vehicles and methodologies to improve communications team effectiveness

• Lead relevant agency/partner/vendor relationships
• Spearhead a communications effort that will instill a sense of urgency, cohesiveness and teamwork in Kraft Heinz’s workforce and inspire confidence and credibility among stakeholders.
• Ensure that all communications reflect the Company’s core values and advance zones business strategies.

Qualifications

Domain Expertise

• 10+ years of working experience working in a PR agency or in-house strategic communications environment.

Experiences

• Experience in leading and managing cross functional teams.
• BA in Communications or equivalent.

Individual Skills, Mindset & Behaviors

• Strong leader, collaborator, and individual contributor.

• High degree of personal and professional savvy and experience to inspire confidence among stakeholders.

• Strong media relations and earned media strategy skillset and abilities as a corporate storyteller.
• Strong problem solver with ability to manage and lead the team to push the solution and progress.
• Strong writer and ability to guide and influence others through prose.

• Comfort working across different countries, cultures and time zones.
• Unquestionable integrity.
• Conceptual, strategic and creative thinker, capable of developing plans that deliver results.
• Food & beverage/CPG experience a plus.

What we offer you:

• An ambitious employer; we only want the best for you.
• A fast career track like only few other companies can match.
• A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market); at KraftHeinz we strongly believe and live by ownership and meritocracy.
• Additional benefits such as Commuting Allowance, Hybrid Work Allowance & Reimbursements, Bicycle & Gym Discount Plan, Employee Assistance Program and Supplemental Health Insurance.
• A wide range of discounts with KraftHeinz’s partnerships on fashion, electronics, travels and many more!
• Last and not least; there are always room for new insights: If you have an idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

EEO Policy

Kraft Heinz is an EO employer – Minorities/Women/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories

Location(s)

Amsterdam

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.