Public Relations Specialist (Corporate Communications)

We have a message to get out: we’re growing. Fast. ALDI is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the nation, serving millions of customers each month who have fallen in love with the company’s fast and affordable shopping experience. That’s why we need people dedicated to helping us connect with our new customers and keeping our current customers coming back for more!  On our Marketing, Advertising and PR teams, you can do just that, showing the nation just what kind of company we are. With a thriving organization like ours, this can make for a rewarding career.

In this role the Public Relations Specialist (Corporate Communications) will be responsible for developing and executing a corporate news and executive communications strategy for ALDI. This position is responsible for managing all external communications (proactive and reactive) related to corporate topics and will work with various internal departments and our agency partner to seek out storytelling opportunities. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and problem solver, a strong communicator (both written and verbal) and a motivated self-starter who can work independently within sometimes ambiguous direction. To be successful in this role, candidates will need to have strong writing skills and experience in media relations and corporate and executive communications. The Public Relations Specialist (Corporate Communications) is a critical role within ALDI and has regular exposure to ALDI leadership and executives. The objective of this role is to assist in maintaining a positive reputation for ALDI and drive awareness on business related initiatives.

Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Aurora, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which allows remote work up to 3 days per week (i.e., work remotely up to 3 days per week; work in-office at least 2 days per week).

Duties and Responsibilities:
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Manages review and approval process for all communication materials with agency, internal partners and ALDI management.
• Assists in developing ALDI’s corporate news and executive communications strategy.
• Takes an active lead in brainstorms and supports the execution of detailed news plans for key ALDI initiatives.
• Maintains relationships with various internal departments including buying, corporate responsibility, e-commerce, real estate, among others, to seek out storytelling opportunities.  
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Creates and maintains key messages and holding statement repository.
• Serves as day-to-day corporate PR liaison between agency and ALDI team.
• Escalates and responds to information requests from media.
• Monitors daily news coverage in national newsfeeds and analyzes competitor and the grocery/retail industry news.
• Writes and proofreads corporate communications materials including press releases, media statements, key messages, executive talking points and more.
• Provides planning and execution support as needed for media events and executive interviews.
• Research media contacts, outlets and editorial calendars to proactively seek out media opportunities for ALDI.
• Leads and executes business-to-business (B2B) and trade news strategy and objectives.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Familiarity with current political, civil, business and economic trends. 
• Familiarity with all facets of communications, marketing and advertising, including digital, social, print, broadcast, PR and experiential. 
• Ability to provide advice and recommendations. 
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. 
• Possesses strong storytelling skills, both long and short form. 
• Possesses strong project management skills. 
• Possesses a wide degree of strategy, creativity and autonomy. 
• Establishes goals and works toward achievement.
• Possesses exceptional judgment and ability to synthesize PR/news opportunities quickly and respond appropriately, along with a keen sense of knowing who and what to include in internal discussions and materials for management alignment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications or a related field required.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in Public Relations and/or Communications required.
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• A minimum of 2 years of agency experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in an office environment where a computer, telephone and other office equipment are used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:

• Minimal travel required as needed for job related duties such as training, project work and administrative tasks.