Director of Communications

Ready to lead an award-winning team? As an ALDI executive, you are responsible for driving and implementing the key initiatives that keep our customers happy and ensure our business model evolves with the needs of the company. Immerse yourself in a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement with our growing and thriving organization.

ALDI, one of America’s fastest growing retailers, is looking for a dynamic and strategic leader to head the Public Relations and External Communications functions in the organization. This role would be responsible for leading a fully integrated communications team as well as best-in-class partners. Collaboration and thought leadership as well as brass tacks management of day-to-day comms functions are key tenets of the role. Experience in corporate communications, all facets of consumer PR, crisis and brand reputation are critical as these areas will be under the leadership of this individual.

Position Type: Full-Time
Work Location: Aurora, IL

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

• Determines and leads the strategy, development, execution, and optimization of all media relations, influencer work, crisis management, and brand reputation.
• Recruits, relocates, and recommends qualified employees for their team; determines the appropriate training methods/courses for new hires.
• Determines the salary levels for newly-hired or transferred employees reporting to them according to the established company wage structure.
• Understands the overarching company strategy, while communicating and modeling the core values of the organization, to create a sense of teamwork and membership among employees.
• Establishes and communicates job responsibilities and performance expectations to their team to assure mutual understanding of desired results; resolves internal or external barriers that prohibit successful goal achievement.
• Approves all time-off requests for direct reports.
• Builds on social influencer partnerships to elevate the brand’s voice.
• Manages processes incorporating content strategy, message development, media relations, editorial calendar planning, community management, and campaign measurement.
• Provides regular activity briefs to business leadership.
• Works closely with business leadership to manage company issues and crises.
• Works closely with Integrated Agency team and marketing teams to support brand initiatives and campaigns.
• Works closely with Internal Communications team to ensure cohesion in messaging between external and internal stakeholders.
• Recommends to their direct leader disciplinary actions, dismissals, and promotions of employees in their area of responsibility.
• Reports significant market changes to business leadership with any recommendations of action to be taken.
• Consults with executives on the development of their team's strategy.
• Makes recommendations to executives on how to improve, design, and streamline applicable policies, procedures, and practices.
• Manages external consultants accordingly.
• Liaises with directors in other ALDI countries to facilitate the sharing of best practices.
• Develops and executes a media strategy that elevates the profile of the brand.
• Develops communication plans and strategy for grand openings.
• Manages agency partnerships to execute brand-aligned communications and campaigns nationally.
• Manages competitive intelligence, key insights, and forward-thinking initiatives related to the positioning of the brand.
• Earns placements in targeted publications, broadcast, and other top-tier media channels.
• Acts as spokesperson for the organization and stands as the point person for rapid-response media needs.
• Oversees the organization’s interaction with reporters, and media trains subject matter experts throughout the organization as necessary.
• Drives analytics and measurement for all communication initiatives - test, refine, and optimize.
• Directs their team by ensuring that all projects and tasks meet business needs as well as expectations for quality and service.
• Establishes team objectives that align with the overall company strategy.
• Participates in National and Specialist Committees as required to establish best practice and business consistency.
• Identifies and develops company-wide and individual initiatives for their team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:
ALDI Acts Competencies:
Perform within ALDI Acts competencies as outlined below.

• Managing Self: Seeking feedback, reflecting upon personal behaviors and looking for growth opportunities. Displaying composure, resilience and a positive approach to work.
• Communicating with Impact: Communicating clearly and effectively in written, non-verbal and verbal communication to inform, inspire, motivate and influence. Appreciating the importance of listening, empathy and respect.
• Cooperating with Others: Creating and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Actively consulting, managing conflict and appreciating alternative perspectives and cultures.
• Leading People: Fostering a cooperative leadership style that empowers and motivates. Providing clear expectations and direction. Developing people in their roles and supporting future growth.
• Driving Decisions and Results: Showing ownership by making informed decisions, executing efficiently and taking responsibility for results. Pursuing goals and taking initiative. Using market awareness to better meet the customers’ needs (internal and external).
• Managing Change: Demonstrating flexibility and embracing changes to adapt to shifting business needs and emerging technologies. Identifying opportunities for business improvements. Effectively implementing changes in alignment with business goals.

Job-specific Competencies:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Understands the history, strategy, organizational authority, interdependence of job duties, products, systems and services of the company.
• Ability to develop rapport, trust and open communication that enhances the growth and job performance of direct reports.
• Understands cost/benefit analysis.
• Ability to recommend, interpret, and/or apply company policies and procedures.
• Fields media inquiries and positions the company in the best light possible.
• Ability to identify data-driven insights and develop the organizational capability to act on these insights faster and better to facilitate growth.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision and value of the corporate communications function to senior executives.
• Progressive in leveraging digital platforms to elevate a brand’s voice and exposure in a consumer marketplace.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong proofreading and editorial skills; fluent in AP style.
• Negotiation skills.
• Conflict management skills.
• Ability to facilitate group involvement when conducting meetings.
• Effective time and resource management; maximizes productivity.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment, consistently meeting deadlines and remaining calm under pressure.
 
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive external experience in Public Relations at or managing an agency and retail operations required or at least 4 years of relevant experience at ALDI.
• For internal candidates, completion of the ALDI LEAD program and ALDI Director, National Services Manager, DMD, Executive Manager or AHEAD DM experience required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration 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:

• Some travel required.
• Up to 10%

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays
• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay
• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.