The following job opportunity was posted January 21, 2010.

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The Media and Communications Manager manages the planning, organization and implementation of public relations and communications objectives to achieve company goals and build brand equity. This includes internal and external communication functions, more specifically, interacting with the media, community, vendors, and operators; including the representation and consideration of enterprise wide interests. This position provides strategic counsel and support to Operations management for the handling of visible local issues with the media. Additionally, the Manager supports the direction of content, frequency, and the most effective delivery channels for various communications to reinforce the culture, employment proposition and brand promise with each communication initiative. The Manager takes a lead in managing vendor partners and communication/public relation agencies, and all aspects of their projects.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
-Oversees and leads interactions with media, employees, PR agencies, thought leaders, and community; ensures messages support brand promise and alignment
-Remains current on industry and consumer trends and developments; leverages such knowledge to promote the brand
-Supports individual and team performance through actions demonstrating strong team orientation and feedback
-Develops team members by seeking out and supporting training, development, and other professional growth opportunities; manages individual and team performance through coaching, feedback, and performance management discussions
-Manages resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for projects; supports and manages budgeting, contract agreements, and invoice payment for vendor-related work
-Plans, organizes, monitors and controls all aspects of a project and ensures engagement, commitment, and risk management; prepares ongoing communication on project status to ensure senior management alignment
-Manages the content for operating company internal communications; obtains feedback on communication activities
-Supports others in writing executive communications (e.g. speeches, letters, etc.); provides direction on content, frequency, and most effective delivery medium for various communications
-Develops and employs public relations tools (media kits, news releases, etc.) and publicity techniques to raise brand awareness among consumers; coordinates the management of interactions with journalists
-Identifies potential issues that could negatively affect the brand or enterprise reputation; develops advance response plans and supports execution of response plans including assistance in enterprise issues and reputation management affecting multiple brands

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:
-Public Relations and Media Management: Demonstrates the capability to develop and manage a variety of public relation techniques for brand-building publicity
-Issue and Reputation Management: Demonstrates the capability to anticipate and effectively address issues affecting the brand or enterprise
-Executive Communications: Demonstrates the capability to support and create effective executive communications
-Employee and Internal Communications: Demonstrates the ability to understand employee insights and motivations and tailors communications effectively to create impact
-Brand Strategy Development: Demonstrates the capability to develop and create a clear and compelling brand strategy and evolve and support that strategy over time
-Brand Equity Management: Demonstrates the capability to ensure all brand activities build brand equity
-Project Management: Demonstrates the capability to achieve desired outcomes on time and within budget through the application of project management principles and techniques
-Brand Activation: Demonstrates an understanding and capability in executing the brand strategy

REQUIRED EDUCATION:
-Bachelor’s Degree (Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or related field)

OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
-3+ years public relations, media, agency, newsroom or equivalent experience preferred; including 1+ years corporate public relations in a large corporation or agency
-Proven professional writing and editing expertise across all communication mediums
-Passion for food and hospitality
-Some travel required

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPIRENCE:
-Advanced degree
-1+ years employee and internal communications experience in a large corporation
-Proven experience facilitating, aligning and coordinating proactive issue and reputation management
-Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and hold team members accountable for performance

Interested candidates should send their resumes directly to Susan Lock,  SLock@Darden.com and they are also welcome to call her with any questions (407)245-5460.

NFL to Blitz Latinos at Super Bowl

Major Push Centered Around Big Game in Miami

by Laura Martinez — Multichannel News, 1/20/2010 5:30:04 PM

Not content with its place as the biggest U.S. sporting event of the year, the National Football League wants to make the Super Bowl the most-watched sports event among Hispanics.

The NFL is gearing up to launch a series of Latino-targeted marketing efforts around Feb. 7’s Super Bowl XLIV with music and sports events featuring Latin celebrities, and educational and informative programs at the grass-roots level. CBS will televise this year’s game from Miami’s Dolphin Stadium.