Communications manager Jobs in Aurora, IL

Overview

KeHE — a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor — is all about "good" and is growing. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Why work for KeHE?

Employment type : Full-time

Pay Range : $97,350.00 / Yr. - $130,000.00 / Yr.

Benefits on Day 1

Health / Rx

Dental

Vision

Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA / HSA)

Supplemental life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Paid sick time

Short term & long term disability coverage (STD / LTD)

Employee stock ownership (ESOP)

Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Primary Responsibilities

The Senior Manager of Communications will lead our internal communications function and enterprise-level external content. This role is critical in driving employee engagement, fostering a strong corporate culture, and ensuring consistent and impactful communication across all levels of the organization and amongst targeted external audiences. This individual will partner closely with Senior Leaders and key stakeholders to ensure all communication is aligned with the company’s goals and values, delivers upon the employee value proposition and advances KeHE’s position as the preferred supply chain partner in the natural and organic, specialty and fresh product space in North America. Leveraging multiple channels, the individual will lead a team of communications professionals to ensure the success of our communications initiatives including investor relations, media relations, and Senior Level communication events, with a focus on positioning the KeHE brand as a leader within the industry. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Essential Functions

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Develop and implement comprehensive internal communication strategies aligned with the organization’s goals, values, and business priorities.

Lead the creation and delivery of enterprise-wide communications, including executive messaging, leadership announcements, town halls, newsletters, and intranet content.

Build and execute a thought leadership engagement strategy in support of brand objectives.

Collaborate and influence company leadership at all levels to drive an ongoing enterprise communications and employee branding strategy.

Manage internal communication campaigns that support organizational change, business transformation, and employee experience.

Oversee content development, editorial standards, and messaging tone to ensure brand consistency and clarity.

Lead and mentor a team of communications professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

Champion KeHE Newsroom concept ensuring consistent flow of information to organization around key initiatives and news at the functional level.

Stay current on internal communications and thought leadership best practices and emerging tools and technologies to enhance communication delivery.

Ensure mechanisms are in place to build accountability, measure results, to make data-driven improvements, optimizing the impact of all communications.

Drive strategy for use of third-party providers / vendors and manage relationships.

Partner with Senior Leadership to ensure all communications and branding programs support the overall people and culture initiatives for the company.

Ensure change management, communications, and training are in place to educate leaders and employees on any new enterprise-wide or employment branding initiatives.

Other duties and projects as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES :

Proven ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans that drive results.

Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a keen eye for detail.

Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, able to influence at all organizational levels.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced, matrixed, and dynamic environment.

Change management and employee engagement experience is highly desirable.

Expert in communication technology, theory and practice.

Expert communicator, writer, editor and storytelling skills with a keen eye for detail.

Expert in using PowerPoint to visualize concepts and communicate effectively.

Strong track record of leading a team of communications professionals.

Strong track record of successfully designing and implementing innovative strategic communications programs and tools throughout a large organization.

Strong executive presence and ability to influence at all levels of company leadership, including the CEO level.

Strong business acumen and ability to connect communications to business strategy.

Ability to develop highly effective relationships at all levels both internally and externally.

Strong project management and time management skills.

Exhibits a growth mindset; open to coaching and feedback; continuously learns.

Demonstrates a passion for growing the unique mission and values of KeHE.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business or related field; Master’s degree preferred

8+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or development of content supporting enterprise-wide communication strategy and initiatives, with a preference for 5+ years of experience leading teams.

Experience with digital communication platforms, intranet management, and communication analytics.

Experience with enterprise communications software such as ServiceNow a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Requisition ID

2025-27539

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.

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