Corporate Reputation Lead

Pivot Strategies is conducting this executive search on behalf of Hormel Foods. Our Talent Acquisition team will lead the search and candidate engagement process, providing a high-touch experience throughout the selection process. Candidates who demonstrate strong alignment with the opportunity will be advanced for direct engagement and interviews with Hormel Foods' leadership team.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include Planters®, Skippy®, SPAM®, Hormel® Natural Choice®, Applegate®, Wholly®, Hormel® Black Label®, Columbus®, Jennie-O® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Corporate Reputation Lead is responsible for shaping, protecting and advancing Hormel Foods’ corporate reputation across key external stakeholders, including media, consumers and business customers. This role executes the enterprise strategy for corporate reputation, ensuring a consistent, compelling corporate narrative that builds trust and enhances corporate visibility.  

Reporting to the Director, External Communications, this individual will lead corporate media relations, issues and crisis communications, and executive visibility. The role partners closely with senior communications leadership and cross-functional teams to align messaging with business priorities and proactively manage reputational risk. This position also manages the corporate reputation team. 

Key responsibilities:

• Corporate reputation strategy: Execute enterprise strategy to strengthen and protect the company’s reputation and external positioning.
• External communications & media relations: Oversee proactive corporate storytelling, media engagement and corporate narrative execution.
• Crisis & issues management: Direct preparedness and response to reputational risks and crisis situations. 
• Executive visibility: Drive thought leadership and external presence for company leadership; work with agency partners to execute on executive visibility priorities.
• Measurement & insights: Monitor media, sentiment and trends; use data to optimize strategy and performance.
• Team leadership: Lead and develop the corporate reputation team. 
• Cross-functional alignment: Partner across cross functional teams, including corporate communications, operations, legal, and investor relations to ensure consistent messaging.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or related field 
• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications or public relations required; 10+ years of experience in corporate communications or public relations preferred.
• Proven expertise in media relations, corporate reputation and crisis communications
• Experience advising senior leaders and operating in complex organizations
• Strong strategic thinking, communication and leadership skills
• CPG or manufacturing experience preferred
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer. 

LOCATION: Global Headquarters, Austin MN

 A comprehensive relocation package to the Austin, MN area will be offered, if required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Travel may be necessary 10% of the time.

Benefits

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of the total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Corporate Reputation Lead role is between $98,100 - $137,300 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.  

Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects.  We offer a space of support, understanding, and community.  We are committed to the journey!  Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.