Lead, Corporate Communications & Reputation Management (Chicago, Illinois)

This job is with Kraft Heinz, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Description

Position Summary 

The  Lead , Corporate Communications & Reputation Management  is responsible for protecting and enhancing the reputation of Kraft Heinz through strategic communications across corporate brand, financial performance, crisis and issues management, industry advocacy, and digital reputation. This role helps build confidence among key audiences and protects the business from external pressures and reputational threats. This is a Hybrid position 3 days/week in office in Chicago, IL (AON Center)

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Communications & Reputation Management, this role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, proactively identifying reputation risks and opportunities and ensuring consistent, compelling storytelling across all stakeholder audiences. 

Key Responsibilities 

Corporate Brand & Reputation Strategy 

• Support corporate narrative development, ensuring alignment with company purpose, business strategy, growth ambitions, and values.

• Measure and report on reputation performance through media, stakeholder, and digital sentiment metrics. 

Financial & Business Performance Communications 

• Support communications surrounding earnings announcements, investor events, business updates, organizational changes, and major strategic initiatives. 

• Translate complex financial and operational information into clear, compelling narratives for non-financial audiences. 

Crisis & Issues Management 

• Support reputation risk assessment and monitoring efforts across business, regulatory, operational, and consumer-facing issues. 

• Maintain and evolve crisis preparedness tools and infrastructure, including playbooks and response protocols, training and simulations, and technology/AI tools for monitoring, message testing, and risk detection. 

• Support real-time crisis response, partnering with Zone communications teams as well as Legal, Government Affairs, Food Safety, Quality, HR, and Operations. 

Industry Issues & Public Affairs Communications 

• Develop communications strategies around industry issues impacting Kraft Heinz's reputation and license to operate. 

• Collaborate with Government Affairs and subject matter experts to proactively shape stakeholder understanding of key industry topics. 

Digital Reputation & Channel Strategy

• Oversee digital reputation strategy and lead the evolution of corporate owned and social channels. 

• Leverage social listening and AI-powered intelligence tools to track digital reputation, competitive landscape, and reputational risks. 

Qualifications  

• 7+ years of progressive communications experience, agency and in-house corporate communications experience preferred 

• Experience managing corporate financial communications, including working with internal partners such as Investor Relations

• Experience supporting corporate crisis communications, including serving on cross-functional response teams preferred 

• Ability to quickly assess complex situations and make sound decisions 

• Strong instinct for what is - and isn't - a story, with a clear understanding of reputational risk vs. opportunity 

• Balances short-term needs with long-term brand and corporate narrative 

• Confident, credible advisor to senior leaders; able to challenge constructively and influence decisions 

• Ability to distill complex business strategies into clear, compelling narratives 

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact View email address on apply.placed-app.com for assistance.