| Job Description: |
We are looking for an outstanding Public Relations Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region of Whole Foods Market. The Mid-Atlantic regional office oversees and supports 42 stores (and counting) in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The ideal candidate will have superb project management skills and a proven background in both traditional and new media outlets. If you enjoy working with a diverse group of personalities, thrive under deadlines, have high energy, and understand the best way to leverage traditional PR, digital outlets and social media, then you may be perfect for the team!
Whole Foods Market is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods and the nations first certified organic grocer. Our company has been honored for the past 16 years as one of Fortune Magazines 100 Best Companies to Work For.
The Public Relations Manager will manage daily public relations efforts and drive positive visibility to and awareness of Whole Foods Market stores in the region, our products, our partnerships, our community relations efforts and our brand as a whole. This person will report to the Executive Marketing Coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic region and will also work closely with:
- Other members of the regional Marketing team including in-store Marketing Team Leaders
- Category product managers, buyers and experts
- Outside agencies at times for specific programs and initiatives
- Global and Regional public relations team
The ideal candidate will:
- Drive/coordinate PR portion of regional marketing programs, product promotions, partnerships and sponsorships for greater product/program/brand mentions
- Show creativity in securing coverage and generating buzz with traditional and non-traditional outlets
- Create written materials including: strategy documents, pitches, news releases, messaging and media training documents, Q&As, blog posts, etc.
- Develop and maintain relationship with regional product teams and leadership to ascertain which products and stories are of interest to our consumer, develop pitches to support key products
- Work with key vendor partners, non-profits and other partners to secure media coverage for programs
- Organize media events, store visits, roundtables, media tours, etc.
- Lead proactive and reactive media relations efforts
- Control regional flow of consumer PR information from global team and work with them as needed
- Create a quarterly update for region on PR efforts and measurable results
- Drive positive visibility and awareness of Whole Foods Market, our differentiators, products and partners through relationships with media, delivering consistent media coverage.
- Have demonstrable, existing relationships with significant members of major media and new media outlets in the area.
- Participate in crisis communications and issues management with regional and/or national marketing team members.
- Work directly with company experts to create media opportunities and pitches; provide guidance on messaging for all media interviews
- Plan and direct public relations efforts for store openings in both new and existing markets.
- Coach Whole Foods Market Team Members in media relations as well as recommend policies and procedures for media interactions and social media engagement.
- Respond to inquiries and requests for information in a professional manner for a wide range of audiences.
- Support local Whole Foods Market stores with media advisories and counsel, creating positive media coverage, promoting community relations and implementing grass roots initiatives.
Must have/be:
- Undergrad degree preferably in Journalism, PR, Marketing Communications, English or related fields
- At least 4-5 years of relevant experience as a PR or marcom professional, either client or agency side, with hands on experience in both traditional PR and social media.
- Ability to strategize with PR, marketing, operations and leadership teams to craft creative, engaging PR campaigns
- Strong sense of urgency and the ability to swiftly handle crisis situations and/or issues in a calm manner.
- Exemplary writing and presentation skills that maintain defined brand personality/tone
- Experience with crafting consumer PR materials including internal and external documents
- Excellent verbal communication skills, including spokesperson experience
- Media strategy and pitching expertise resulting in strategic consumer hits
- Solid product and consumer PR experience, working with all levels of print, broadcast and online media
- Social media knowledge preferred, specifically Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram
- No fear of reaching out to internal experts and leadership to capture great stories to package and deliver to media
- Proven ability to proactively secure media coverage and deliver measurable PR results with minimal supervision
- Ability to multitask and perform effectively in a team environment, while enhancing the overall performance of the team and its members.
- Knowledge of Whole Foods Market as a brand and familiarization of its products and offerings
- True passion for food, especially the natural and organic products industry
- Ability to have fun and laugh while being productive
- Understanding of how both traditional and new media outlets work; ability to research reporters and assess pros and cons
- Effective ability to coach and train spokespersons and provide them with necessary tools for interviews
- Position requires ability to maintain confidentiality in regards to proprietary information.
Essential Job Functions:
- Stand and walk for extended periods of time.
- Bend and stoop to grasp objects and climb ladders. Bend and twist neck and waist, reach above and below shoulders and squat.
- Bend and lift loads, not to exceed 50 pounds. Push and pull carts weighing up to 100 pounds.
- Repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation.
- Environmental exposure to extreme temperatures (coolers, ovens, freezer, outdoors, etc.)
About Us:
At Whole Foods Market, we empower our Team Members to make their own decisions, thus creating an environment where people are treated with respect and are highly motivated to excel. We mentor Team Members through education and on-the-job experience. As a result, we are able to fill a majority of leadership roles from our existing Team Member base. We also recognize that there are individuals with talent outside of Whole Foods Market, and have training programs to bring those new leaders into the company.
Our Team Members represent over 50 different nations. We are people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, yet all work together to meet the needs of our customers.
We offer great benefits beginning with a full complement of medical and other traditional group health plan coverage, 401k plan, and a 20% discount at our stores. To learn more, apply your passion today.
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