Communications Director, Americas Cement at Ash Grove Cement Company in Overland Park, Kansas

Job Description:

Job ID:  311986

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH company, provides portland and masonry cements to help build the foundation and infrastructure for the world around us.  We ship millions of tons of cement from our plants and network of terminals located across North America. When you work for Ash Grove, you are connecting to something bigger. Join our team and help Ash Grove build America.

Summary:

The Communications Director will work directly with senior leadership to execute an overall communications strategy for CRH’s Americas Cement. The successful individual will understand the unique value proposition of the Cement business and how to balance the communications priorities of the Division and the needs of key audiences and stakeholders.  The role requires traveling to various plants and offices across US and Canada.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a communications program for Americas Cement that is aligned to CRH’s Americas communications objectives and strengthen Ashgrove’s brand identity across key stakeholder audiences


• Work closely with internal stakeholders at all levels to understand their internal communication needs, provide advice on communications approach, develop plans and implement tactics


• Manage development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, e-newsletters, and Ashgrove’s website


• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the sector and organization. Work with key stakeholders to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them


• Lead planning and preparedness for managing communications in the event of crisis and mitigate risks 


• Ensure communications activities are coordinated and integrated where appropriate to ensure a reasonable flow of information and appropriate level of visibility for various business groups


• Take information and facts from multiple sources, distil and synthesize to make appropriate for different audiences and internal stakeholder groups


• Collaborate with and support communications objectives in developing content for a growing set of new CRH Group-wide channels, as well as annually published reports and magazines


• Architect and implement brand strategy for Ashgrove complete with brand value proposition and building brand affinity internally and externally; ensure all deliverables meets corporate brand identity and corporate communications guidelines.


• Build relationships with key contacts across the Cement Platform, AMAT and CRH Group 


• Organization of internal communications to support site visits, conferences and events 


• Coordinate the preparation and delivery of all aspects of video content (planning and coordination, script writing, etc.)


• Oversee, or execute as needed, all copy intended for public consumption to ensure its alignment with Group policies and process.


• Curate content and increase audience engagement on Ashgrove’s social media channels


• Serve as lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization and actively cultivate and manage press relationships to ensure coverage of issues of strategic importance to the sector, as well as Ashgrove’s programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects


• Strengthen impact and effectiveness of existing communications platforms as well as create new and innovative communication delivery tactics to maximize messaging impact. 


• Support leadership with talking points, speeches, presentations and other supporting material as needed


• Manage relationships with communications related vendors or consultants


• Manage a communications budget

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal/written communication skills and experience producing C-Suite communications


• Demonstrated success working with senior executives and other internal stakeholders 


• The ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment


• Strong and confident leadership skills


• Experience managing vendor/consultant relationships for a large organization (graphic designers, multi-media, freelancers, webcasting, photographers, videographers) 


• Project and event management skills 


• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.


• Interpersonal Savvy – relates well to all levels of people in and out of the organization; Builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships.


• Strong business acumen combined with a fluency in topical news and culture


• Ability to travel up to 25- 35%

Minimum Education/Experience:

• Masters or advanced degree in Communications, marketing or related field


• 10+ years within a related industry or sector, with a broad understanding of key stakeholders


• Experience in stakeholder/community engagement.


• Experience with current technologies and platforms to amplify communications impact (MS Word, Wordpress, CMS, social media platforms, etc.)

About CRH Americas

CRH Americas has a long and proud heritage as one of North America’s largest corporations. We are a proud reflection of the hundreds of family businesses, local and regional companies and mid to large sized enterprises that together form the CRH Americas family. CRH Americas operates with a decentralized, diversified structure, letting you work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large enterprise.

CRH Americas is a great place to grow! If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today! Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our career site. Please complete your online profile which will be sent directly to the appropriate Hiring Manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest in the CRH Americas family!

Ash Grove Cement is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE/Vet/Disability--If you want to know more, please click on this link.