Media Relations Senior Manager, PepsiCo Foundation

If you have passion, creativity and media relations experience, you could have an opportunity to be a member of the PepsiCo Foundation Communications team. Representing the philanthropic arm of a leading global food and beverage company, this role resides in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, reporting to the Senior Director of Foundation Communications & Engagement.

We’re seeking a Senior Manager of Media Relations to identify and execute proactive external storytelling opportunities for the PepsiCo Foundation and its social/community impact efforts. This role also is responsible for collaborating with the corporate external communications newsroom and content teams to generate stories for PepsiCo-owned channels.

While key responsibilities will focus on North America, this role also will identify best practices to be leveraged globally in partnership with international Foundation sector leads. Media relations efforts will be powered by innovative communications and strong earned media relationships, as well as informed by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). To succeed, the candidate will be well-informed on the evolving earned media landscape and all mediums including print, broadcast and digital. This role will operate in a highly-collaborative way with Foundation team members, nonprofit partners, grantees, public policy/government affairs, and corporate and brand communications.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement strategic, high-impact media relations plans for critical Foundation social/community impact priorities – including increasing access to nutritious food, safe water and economic opportunity – with a goal of securing significant earned media impressions across storytelling efforts.
• Create opportunities and processes to take a hyper local storytelling approach; contribute to impact data in local markets.
• Partner closely with corporate and brand communications teams as well as North America External Relations leadership and communications team to ensure alignment, collaboration and interaction; elevate broader pep+ storytelling themes and how the Foundation’s work fits in.
• Manage media storytelling process from start to finish including identifying angles and targets, and developing assets such as strategy memos, pitches, multimedia assets, key messages and Q&A. Facilitate opportunities to leverage stories in social.
• Nurture and maintain effective relationships with relevant media across key local markets, philanthropy, F&B, consumer, business, multicultural, etc.
• Craft and continually update global Foundation narratives with relevant examples that point to the PepsiCo Foundation’s thought leadership, elevate our nonprofit partners and grantees and serve as a basis for media storytelling.
• Provide relevant narratives to Sector / BU teams to advance and empower local storytelling efforts.
• Advance executive leadership platforms for Foundation leaders and nonprofit partners including identifying and securing external engagement opportunities, writing, reviewing and finessing bylines and content for digital channels.
• Manage and collaborate with PR agency partners as needed.

What it Takes to Thrive in this Role:

• Self-starter mentality. Inquisitive by nature. Resourceful. Highly adaptive.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills. Adept at building strong relationships and leading through influence.
• Demonstrated track record of success in driving earned media outcomes.
• Finger on the pulse of external news with ability to quickly identify intersections of relevance with the Foundation’s work.
• Ability to work in a highly-matrixed environment while balancing multiple priorities.

Qualifications/Requirements

• 8 years+ of external communications and media relations experience
• Strong communication skills (written & oral)
• Ability to effectively communicate with and engage a range of business partners including internal executives, administrative support, contractors and agencies
• Strong project management, time management, and prioritization skills; ability to successfully execute plans through direct and shared resources
• Embraces ambiguity and thrives in a dynamic environment
• Positive, highly-motivated, problem-solving attitude
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Accommodate a flexible schedule that varies with seasonal duties (at least 10% travel, including international)
• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred:

• Experience within social/community impact and/or philanthropy
• Strong media relationships
• Degree in Communications, PR or related field

Note : COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role. Please note that all such company vaccine requirements provide the opportunity to request an approved accommodation or exemption under applicable law.

Relocation Eligible: Not Eligible for Relocation

Job Type: Regular

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901 - 4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy

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