Director, Corporate Communications

Description

• Proactively manages day-to-day communications needs for Stepan’s senior leadership team including internal communications/events, speaking notes, in a 24/7 operation to enhance engagement, increase profile/visibility and drive business priorities and strategic objectives.
• Develops, leads, manages, and maintains various initiatives related to online presence (SharePoint and Appspace), sponsorship/community investment program, and company culture.
• Support company strategic initiatives and positively influence perceptions of the company through external relations and internal communications
• Develop and execute crisis communication plans to protect the company’s reputation during challenging events (e.g., litigation, chemical spills and layoffs).
• Serve as a business partner to senior leadership, leading the development of communications and campaigns that foster understanding and connections for employees at all levels and engagement with our company purpose, brands and business strategies.
• Develop presentations and corresponding communications for town halls and leadership meetings, coordinating logistics for these events, and partnering with IT to ensure a seamless experience for global participants and presenters.
• Improve and maintain internal communication tools with the goal of increasing employee engagement and workplace pride among multiple audiences including frontline employees.
• Establishes, maintains, and monitors communications policies, procedures, and standards according to company requirements.
• Develops and executes annual calendar for Stepan’s leadership and corporate communications.
• Provides communications expertise and support in conjunction with MarCom to create the company’s branding (including templates, logos, etc.) and strategic business objectives (including CSR reports).
• Collaboration: Identifies opportunities for shared resources, seeks partnerships and is a team player.
• Develops, implements, and evolves best-in-class internal communications strategies, key messages, tactics, metrics, and resource management strategies that enhance engagement, increases profile/visibility, and drives business priorities and strategic objectives. Often dealing with confidential information.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the executive team on messaging.
• Develops, leads, manages, and creates internal communications for major company announcements, initiatives, change and crisis management as needed.
• Coordinates, collaborates, and consults with multiple departments including but not limited to Human Resources, Investor Relations, and various business units.
• Partners with Finance and Legal to develop Stepan’s Annual Report and assist with the preparation of the sustainability report.
• Develop Corporate Communications focusing on clear, timely and effective messaging to employees across the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Europe, and Asia.

Requirements

• Experience providing counsel, influence, and challenge to the thinking of business leaders.
• Strong communication and presentation (written and verbal) skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications preferred.
• Experience with project management (for example: planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives). Ability to pivot quickly and work in an international, fast-paced, heavy deadline driven work environment.
• Change Management: Ability to adapt to change, anticipate future needs, is flexible, overcomes resistance to change, and demonstrates managerial courage.
• Experience developing communications for M & A activities.
• Experience in SharePoint and WordPress to support development of a company intranet site.
• Possess can do attitude and desire to go above and beyond.
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of cultural differences and skillsets; be able to work a flexible schedule and to interact with colleagues in other time zones around the world.
• Direct experience producing effective and engaging employee communication strategies and tactics, including programs, events, stories, video, presentations, and other materials necessary to deliver strategy.
• Possesses a vibrant, comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates integrated storytelling and content development expertise for internal and external audiences.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in a communications position developing and executing communication strategies and plans.
• Excellent writing (Associated Press Style), editing and presentation skills required.
• The candidate will be a sound strategic thinker with excellent judgment, have experience successfully navigating corporate environments and winning the support of others and building coalitions.
• Problem Solving: Can understand and evaluate complex issues and devise and implement successful solutions.
• Graphic Design and video editing experience preferred.
• Experience in employee engagement activities and communication trends.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite required with proficiency in Teams.

Benefits

• Adoption Assistance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Reactions – Recognition Program
• Profit Sharing
• 401K with Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Discretionary Bonus
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD / LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance