Director, Corporate Communications

Job Description

The Director of Corporate Communications is responsible for all internal and key external communications, including developing short-term and long-term communications strategies that support the company to achieve its strategic business objectives, advance the company’s priorities, enhance the company’s reputation, and build corporate culture.  

Position Responsibilities: 

• 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. 
• Partners with Finance and Legal to develop Stepan’s Annual Report and assist with the preparation of the sustainability report.   
• Develops, leads, manages, and maintains various initiatives related to online presence (SharePoint and Appspace), sponsorship/community investment program, and company culture. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Develops, leads, manages, and creates internal communications for major company announcements, initiatives, change and crisis management as needed. 
• 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). 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Support company strategic initiatives and positively influence perceptions of the company through external relations and internal communications 
• Develop Corporate Communications focusing on clear, timely and effective messaging to employees across the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. 
• Improve and maintain internal communication tools with the goal of increasing employee engagement and workplace pride among multiple audiences including frontline employees. 
• Coordinates, collaborates, and consults with multiple departments including but not limited to Human Resources, Investor Relations, and various business units. 
• Develop and execute crisis communication plans to protect the company’s reputation during challenging events (e.g., litigation, chemical spills and layoffs). 
• Collaboration: Identifies opportunities for shared resources, seeks partnerships and is a team player. 
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the executive team on messaging.  
                                                                             

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications preferred. 
• 10+ years of relevant experience in a communications position developing and executing communication strategies and plans. 
• Direct experience producing effective and engaging employee communication strategies and tactics, including programs, events, stories, video, presentations, and other materials necessary to deliver strategy. 
• Experience in employee engagement activities and communication trends. 
• Experience providing counsel, influence, and challenge to the thinking of business leaders. 
• Excellent writing (Associated Press Style), editing and presentation skills required. 
• Experience developing communications for M & A activities. 
• Experience in SharePoint and WordPress to support development of a company intranet site. 
• Graphic Design and video editing experience preferred. 
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite required with proficiency in Teams. 
• 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. 
• Strong communication and presentation (written and verbal) skills.  
• Possesses a vibrant, comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates integrated storytelling and content development expertise for internal and external audiences. 
• 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. 
• Change Management: Ability to adapt to change, anticipate future needs, is flexible, overcomes resistance to change, and demonstrates managerial courage. 
• Problem Solving: Can understand and evaluate complex issues and devise and implement successful solutions. 
• Possess can do attitude and desire to go above and beyond. 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Degree in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or Communications preferred. 

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Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Pay Range: $144,000 - $195,000

The salary range for this position is determined by considering a variety of factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and the location of the position.

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