Director, North America Region Communications
Kraft Heinz
Director, North America Region Communications
Job Description
Job DescriptionKraft Heinz is in the midst of a significant transformation — contemporizing its portfolio, accelerating performance, and building a more agile, consumer-focused organization. We’ve investing in our brands and our people in service of growth – and the Director, North America Region Communications role is newly created position to accelerate our strategy. This role is a senior communications leader embedded at the heart of the North America Region, reporting directly into the VP, Global Communications with a dotted line to the NA Regional President. The ideal candidate for this role is a builder — someone who can dive into the business, quickly establish relationships, map the jobs to be done, and start adding value. They are a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, a skilled writer and message architect, and a team player who thrives in an integrated Communications function within a matrixed global organization. This is a rare opportunity to shape the narrative of a $26B iconic food and beverage company at a pivotal moment. You'll have direct access to senior leadership, ownership of a high-visibility communications agenda, and the ability to make a measurable impact on employee engagement and business momentum. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Serve as the strategic Communications business partner to the North America leadership team. Translate business strategy into a proactive communications plan that enables and accelerates the region's growth agenda — with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder alignment. Serve as the embedded NA Region expert for the broader Global Communications team. Lead messaging on North America performance, transformation, and turnaround efforts, and partner with the External Communications COE to tell the stories that matter most to the Region. Inspire and align more than 16,000 employees in the Region through internal communications — including leadership messages, town halls, newsletters, and earnings debriefs — with the goal of improving employee understanding of our transformation strategy and driving measurable increases in engagement. Ensure communications across the Region are consistent, coordinated, and aligned to enterprise priorities. Own the NA Region brand and lead campaigns like "Play to Win" to drive employee engagement and strengthen our employer brand. Champion a consistent voice and culture narrative across the North America employee experience, ensuring our values and growth strategy are woven into everyday communications. Serve as the communications lead for issues and special situations within the NA Region, ensuring timely, accurate, and appropriately calibrated responses. Manage escalation to the Corporate Reputation and Risk COE and partner on material issues. Partner across our COEs (Internal Communications, Integrated Storytelling, External Communications, Corporate Reputation and Risk) on integrated planning and cross-functional execution, as well as thought leadership and executive social media content for the NA Regional President. Lead, coach, and develop a team of four talented NA Region communications professionals, and create an environment where the team does their best work. As needed, evolve the operating model and lead the recruitment of additional resources for this NA Communications team. Please note — media relations is not a key responsibility for this role, as that is led by the External Communications COE. QUALIFICATIONS: Required 10+ years of progressive corporate communications experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role. A track record of advising senior executives — including Presidents or C-suite leaders — as a trusted communications counselor who shapes strategy, not just executes it. Strong strategic communications planning skills: ability to connect business priorities to communications objectives and build plans that are measurable and accountable. Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to write compellingly for executive voices across a range of formats and audiences. Experience leading complex internal communications programs — particularly through organizational change, transformation, or restructuring. Proven track record in issues management and crisis communications, with the judgment to calibrate responses and manage escalation in a large, matrixed organization. Comfort with data: ability to use employee listening tools, engagement metrics, and measurement frameworks to inform strategy and demonstrate impact. Experience in CPG, food & beverage, or a similarly complex global consumer organization. Collaborative by nature — someone who builds strong relationships, integrates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, and elevates those around them. Preferred Experience working within an in-house global communications function, navigating COE structures and matrixed reporting. Track record leading employee communications through large-scale organizational change or business transformation. Familiarity with large-scale employee engagement platforms and digital communications tools. Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. 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:$190,300.00 - $237,900.00Bonus: 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 factorsLong-Term Incentive (LTI): In addition to base salary and bonus, this role is eligible for additional compensation in the form of equity.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/AssessmentsSocial - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, TrainingEmotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support ProgramsFinancial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, DisabilityLocation(s)Chicago/Aon CenterKraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.
Locations
- IL, Chicago
Skills Required
- CPGintermediate
- large-scale employee engagement platformsintermediate
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive corporate communications experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role. (experience, 10 years)
- 10+ years of progressive corporate communications experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role. (experience, 10 years)
- A track record of advising senior executives — including Presidents or C-suite leaders — as a trusted communications counselor who shapes strategy, not just executes it. (experience)
- A track record of advising senior executives — including Presidents or C-suite leaders — as a trusted communications counselor who shapes strategy, not just executes it. (experience)
- Strong strategic communications planning skills: ability to connect business priorities to communications objectives and build plans that are measurable and accountable. (experience)
- Strong strategic communications planning skills: ability to connect business priorities to communications objectives and build plans that are measurable and accountable. (experience)
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to write compellingly for executive voices across a range of formats and audiences. (experience)
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to write compellingly for executive voices across a range of formats and audiences. (experience)
- Experience leading complex internal communications programs — particularly through organizational change, transformation, or restructuring. (experience)
- Experience leading complex internal communications programs — particularly through organizational change, transformation, or restructuring. (experience)
- Proven track record in issues management and crisis communications, with the judgment to calibrate responses and manage escalation in a large, matrixed organization. (experience)
- Proven track record in issues management and crisis communications, with the judgment to calibrate responses and manage escalation in a large, matrixed organization. (experience)
- Comfort with data: ability to use employee listening tools, engagement metrics, and measurement frameworks to inform strategy and demonstrate impact. (experience)
- Comfort with data: ability to use employee listening tools, engagement metrics, and measurement frameworks to inform strategy and demonstrate impact. (experience)
- Experience in CPG, food & beverage, or a similarly complex global consumer organization. (experience)
- Experience in CPG, food & beverage, or a similarly complex global consumer organization. (experience)
- Collaborative by nature — someone who builds strong relationships, integrates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, and elevates those around them. (experience)
- Collaborative by nature — someone who builds strong relationships, integrates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, and elevates those around them. (experience)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working within an in-house global communications function, navigating COE structures and matrixed reporting. (experience)
- Experience working within an in-house global communications function, navigating COE structures and matrixed reporting. (experience)
- Track record leading employee communications through large-scale organizational change or business transformation. (experience)
- Track record leading employee communications through large-scale organizational change or business transformation. (experience)
- Familiarity with large-scale employee engagement platforms and digital communications tools. (experience)
- Familiarity with large-scale employee engagement platforms and digital communications tools. (experience)
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. (degree in communications)
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field. (degree in communications)
Responsibilities
- Serve as the strategic Communications business partner to the North America leadership team. Translate business strategy into a proactive communications plan that enables and accelerates the region's growth agenda — with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder alignment.
- Serve as the strategic Communications business partner to the North America leadership team. Translate business strategy into a proactive communications plan that enables and accelerates the region's growth agenda — with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and stakeholder alignment.
- Serve as the embedded NA Region expert for the broader Global Communications team. Lead messaging on North America performance, transformation, and turnaround efforts, and partner with the External Communications COE to tell the stories that matter most to the Region.
- Serve as the embedded NA Region expert for the broader Global Communications team. Lead messaging on North America performance, transformation, and turnaround efforts, and partner with the External Communications COE to tell the stories that matter most to the Region.
- Inspire and align more than 16,000 employees in the Region through internal communications — including leadership messages, town halls, newsletters, and earnings debriefs — with the goal of improving employee understanding of our transformation strategy and driving measurable increases in engagement.
- Inspire and align more than 16,000 employees in the Region through internal communications — including leadership messages, town halls, newsletters, and earnings debriefs — with the goal of improving employee understanding of our transformation strategy and driving measurable increases in engagement.
- Ensure communications across the Region are consistent, coordinated, and aligned to enterprise priorities.
- Ensure communications across the Region are consistent, coordinated, and aligned to enterprise priorities.
- Own the NA Region brand and lead campaigns like "Play to Win" to drive employee engagement and strengthen our employer brand.
- Own the NA Region brand and lead campaigns like "Play to Win" to drive employee engagement and strengthen our employer brand.
- Champion a consistent voice and culture narrative across the North America employee experience, ensuring our values and growth strategy are woven into everyday communications.
- Champion a consistent voice and culture narrative across the North America employee experience, ensuring our values and growth strategy are woven into everyday communications.
- Serve as the communications lead for issues and special situations within the NA Region, ensuring timely, accurate, and appropriately calibrated responses. Manage escalation to the Corporate Reputation and Risk COE and partner on material issues.
- Serve as the communications lead for issues and special situations within the NA Region, ensuring timely, accurate, and appropriately calibrated responses. Manage escalation to the Corporate Reputation and Risk COE and partner on material issues.
- Partner across our COEs (Internal Communications, Integrated Storytelling, External Communications, Corporate Reputation and Risk) on integrated planning and cross-functional execution, as well as thought leadership and executive social media content for the NA Regional President.
- Partner across our COEs (Internal Communications, Integrated Storytelling, External Communications, Corporate Reputation and Risk) on integrated planning and cross-functional execution, as well as thought leadership and executive social media content for the NA Regional President.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of four talented NA Region communications professionals, and create an environment where the team does their best work. As needed, evolve the operating model and lead the recruitment of additional resources for this NA Communications team.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of four talented NA Region communications professionals, and create an environment where the team does their best work. As needed, evolve the operating model and lead the recruitment of additional resources for this NA Communications team.
- Please note — media relations is not a key responsibility for this role, as that is led by the External Communications COE.
- Please note — media relations is not a key responsibility for this role, as that is led by the External Communications COE.
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