Sr. Dir Corp Media, Public Relations & Fin Comm Job in Pasadena, CA 91116

Job Title: Sr. Dir Corp Media, Public Relations & Fin Comm
Function: Communications
Business Unit: Corporate North America
Company: Corporate Staff U.S.
State: California
City: Pasadena
Relocation Available: Yes - Domestic
Key Job Responsibilities: POSITION TITLE: Senior Director of Corporate Media Relations, Public Relations and Financial Communications
DESCRIPTION:
The Senior Director of Corporate Media Relations, Public Relations & Financial Communications will be responsible for developing and executing strategic media relations, public relations and financial communications for this highly successful global industrial/consumer products corporation.
The position will report directly to the senior vice president of Worldwide Communications and Advertising. In the financial communications area, this professional will also work closely with the vice president of Investor Relations. In addition, to working directly with the executive staff and management of the Company, including the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, vice president/controller, and executive vice president/general counsel, this individual will interact with and provide strategic counsel to senior management and/or communications professionals at Avery Dennisons operating units on a regular and as-needed basis
Following is an outline of the specific areas of responsibility for the director of Media Relations and Financial Communications in the two core areas:
I. MEDIA RELATIONS
a.) Corporate Media Relations and Public Relations
Work in tandem with the senior vice president of Worldwide Communications and Advertising to define all media relations strategies on behalf of Avery Dennison Corporation.
Develop and execute highly focused media relations programs including: development of editorial angles targeting key national and international business and consumer publications and relevant trade publications; and development of stories that may involve a partnering with communications colleagues handling other programs (i.e. community relations, environmental, organizational announcements, etc.).Proactively monitor developments at business units across the company in order to identify opportunities for potential PR support and media pitches. Work with the department head to help manage all activities for the Company in the area of medial relations to increase the volume of quality coverage and the visibility of Avery Dennison, including: pitching the major business/financial media on key story angles that profile this aggressive company and its leadership position; developing media interest around new strategic developments as appropriate. In addition, work with the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Communications and Advertising to provide high level counsel and preparation in the area of media interviewing for corporate executives and key spokespersons.
Manage financial and business media as it relates to the Companys financial performance.
Manage the Companys crisis communications program and media relations activities in response to any emergency/crisis situation affecting the Company, including but not limited to, workplace accidents, business disruptions, legal proceedings, environmental hazards and natural disasters that affect operations.
b.) Business Unit Media Relations
Provide counsel/setting the tone/defining policy/advising management on appropriate media relations strategy and content at the business unit level.
Partner with business unit representatives regarding company/divisional financial issues to assure maximum effectiveness and accuracy of financial information as it is disseminated to the media and to help maintain continuity and consistency of internal and external message content and dissemination at both corporate and operating unit levels.
II. FINANCIAL/SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
The director of Media Relations, Public Relations & Financial Communications will serve in a partnering capacity to the senior vice president of Communications and Advertising and vice president of Investor Relations as it relates to all financial and shareholder communications. Specific responsibilities include the following:
a.) Investor Media Relations
Develop and maintain positive relationships with key national and international media (for financial-related opportunities as appropriate)In a collaborative effort both with corporate communications and investor relations, serve as a key strategist in developing and contributing to the development of story angles consistent with the overall investor relations goals and objectives. This will include targeting both print and broadcast media; developing news releases and media statements, and media training of executive staff.
Along with the senior vice president of Communications and Advertising and vice president of Investor Relations, develop and manage relationships with key stock market publications (ie., Research, Buy-side, Registered Representatives, etc.) and prepare pertinent materials for media use.



b.) Annual Report Development and Production
To ensure consistent communication of corporate financial messages to investment audiences, work with the vice president of Investor Relations to thoroughly and completely understand Avery Dennisons financial strategies and performance as a means to preparing and producing all financial communication written materials, including but not limited to the following: annual reports, quarterly reports, earnings releases, key strategy announcements, position papers, background information and fact books (with corporate and operating unit fact sheets, biographies of key executives, and any other collateral materials as appropriate).
THE COMPANY
Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive labeling materials, office products and retail tag, ticketing and branding systems. Based in Pasadena, Calif., Avery Dennison is a FORTUNE 500 company with 2007 sales of $6.3 billion. Avery Dennison employs more than 36,000 individuals in 61 countries worldwide who apply the Companys technologies to develop, manufacture and market a wide range of products for both consumer and industrial markets.
Position Requirements: Education:
Bachelors degree in communications, marketing, journalism or business; a Masters degree in any of the above would be a plus; however, equivalent business experience is also acceptable.
Experience:
Broad-reaching communications experience in the corporate arena is a requirement, although a hybrid practitioner whose experience in a financial public relations firm would also be acceptable. Another key critical-to-success factor is experience in a similar corporate culture in terms of change management, operating structure and demanding cultural expectations from senior management.
The successful candidate should have 12 to 18 years of experience as a corporate media relations and/or financial communications practitioner. He/she should have high-level access to and experience with -- all types of media outlets, most importantly the print consumer business and financial media, as well as a solid foundation managing the broadcast media. This experience should be on both a national and international level.
In addition, senior level hands-on corporate/financial public relations experience is a prerequisite, as is a demonstrated track record in developing and executing broad reaching strategic communications programs. It is also imperative that this professional have a solid understanding of business, finance, and be comfortable working with a balance sheet.
Other Characteristics:
Avery Dennisons corporate headquarters culture encourages significant interface between all levels of staff, with few formalities getting in the way. The organization overall is a lean one, which produces a sense of urgency and efficiency. The successful candidate for this position should have a thorough understanding of how a formal corporate culture operates, and be at ease with the parameters that go with that type of culture. The candidate who assumes this position should be unflappable in most situations and have the ability to communicate in a forthright manner, yet know how to be diplomatic when necessary with peers and senior management. This professional must also have the ability to know how to influence senior management on strategic issues/counsel, yet know when to accept managements decisions and act upon them accordingly.
Because very Dennisons working environment is very fast paced, the successful candidate will need to be intellectually quick, and in his or her element with little of no foundation/framework, and be comfortable with change.
The successful candidate must have superior and demonstrated skills in coordinating people and processes, including managing outside resources, such as public relations agencies and design firms. This individual must have the ability to operate successfully in a very high-powered environment interfacing with numerous and varied internal constituencies; he/she should exhibit excellent interpersonal, written communications, and organizational skills. This individual must be able to develop strategy as well as execute activities.
In addition, this professional should have an entrepreneurial mindset such that there is a willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve the goals before them. They should also have the maturity, presence and diplomacy to maintain their professionalism under the pressure associated with a fast paced culture and when dealing with crisis events.
Additional qualities of a successful candidate include: team player mindset, positive attitude, high degree of credibility and quantitative abilities.