Manager, External Communications

Job Description

Company Summary

Constellation Brands is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. It’s worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what’s next.

Every day, people reach for brands from our high-end, imported beer portfolio anchored by the iconic Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, a flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, and favorites like Pacifico and Victoria; our exceptional wine brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Schrader Cellars, and Lingua Franca; and our craft spirits brands such as Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey.

As an agriculture-based company, we strive to operate in a way that is sustainable and responsible. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business, and we focus on serving as good stewards of the environment, investing in our communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. We believe these aspirations in support of our longer-term business strategy allow us to contribute to a future that is truly Worth Reaching For.

Position Summary

The Manager, External Communications develops and executes public relations strategies and programs for the Constellation Brands Beer Division portfolio, including the Corona and Modelo families, Pacifico, Victoria, and other brands. The role supports division and brand reputation, develops content for internal and external audiences, and advances broader Communications team initiatives and business objectives. This role reports to the Director, Communications - Beer.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute impactful earned media programming aligned with brand plans, business objectives, and division financial and growth targets.

• Partner with cross-functional and agency teams to support knowledge transfer, alignment, and delivery of strategic programming goals.

• Build strong working relationships across brand marketing, brand activation, retail connections, licensing and promotion, lifestyle and experiential, media and digital marketing, insights, legal, and procurement.

• Prioritize budgets and program efforts against core business drivers and brand expansion opportunities.

• Manage multiple programs simultaneously, including prioritizing work and delegating as appropriate.

• Manage PR agency relationships and teams to deliver effective programs and strategic perspective.

• Deliver results on time and on budget and participate in regular team, agency, and cross-functional meetings.

• Participate in agency requests for proposal and procurement exercises as needed.

• Identify opportunities for positive media coverage and work with agencies to plan pitches, target media outlets and reporters, prepare spokespeople, and maintain key messages and media lists.

• Support division and brand reputation management by coordinating audits and engaging stakeholders on sensitive situations.

• Coordinate incoming media requests for statements, interviews, assets, and product samples, using agency support where appropriate.

• Provide strategic guidance on reputational and public relations opportunities.

• Collaborate with internal communications partners to provide content and ensure consistent messaging aligned with the company business strategy.

• Identify and implement best-in-class communications tactics that elevate the Beer Division and its portfolio of brands.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

• Five to seven years of relevant experience.

• Proven experience managing and maximizing the effectiveness of external agencies.

• Superior writing, editing, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Executive presence and the ability to influence without authority.

• Ability to prioritize and deliver multiple immediate tasks and long-term projects on deadline.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment both independently and as part of an integrated team.

• Commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications or public relations.

• Enthusiasm for positioning brands at the forefront of cultural relevance.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to sit and work at a desk or personal computer for extended periods.

• Hybrid work environment between a professional corporate office and remote location.

• Ability to travel commercially up to 25% of the time.

#LI-NW1

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Additional Locations

Job Type

Full time

Job Area

Communications

The salary range for this role is:

$96,700.00 - $148,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  Our compensation is based on cost of labor. For remote locations or positions open to multiple locations, the pay range may reflect several US geographic markets, including the lowest geographic market minimum to the highest geographic market maximum. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the prevailing minimum wage for the location, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.  At Constellation Brands, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Equal Opportunity

Constellation Brands is committed to a continuing program of equal employment opportunity. All persons have equal employment opportunities with Constellation Brands, regardless of their sex, race, color, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), marital status, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions (or any other group or category within the framework of the applicable discrimination laws and regulations).