Public Affairs, External Relations Sustainability Communications Sr. Manager

About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision. From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation. With 22 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready‑made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of almost 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

The US Public Affairs, External Relations and Sustainability Communications Senior Manager will be tasked with protecting and enhancing the group’s corporate reputation in the United States and in Region Americas. Reporting solidly to the Communications and External Relations function, they will proactively engage key local stakeholders, such as institutions, trade associations, consumer associations, media and NGOs to present Barilla, its position on relevant topics and issues and its corporate ESG activities, ensuring that the company has an established network of allies in case of need.

They will also support activities from a corporate PR perspective and provide crisis management support to the local crisis team.

This is a hybrid role based out of Northbrook, IL.

• Engagement of key institutional stakeholders in Americas Region (Washington D.C., Chicago, Ames, Avon, etc)
• Stakeholder map, list of essential contacts, organization of networking events.
• Work with external lobbying firms to:
  • Research:
    Analyze proposed legislation and regulations
  • Develop strategies:
    Create plans to influence policy and legislation
  • Build relationships:
    Form connections with government officials, staff, and other stakeholders
  • Educate:
    Explain the impact of legislation to lawmakers and the public, and to internal colleagues and functions.
  • Present:
    Appear before legislative committees and hearings to advocate for clients.
  • Report:
    Monitor legislative activities and policy changes.
  • Provide advice:
    Offer strategic advice to US and Global senior business leaders to inform Barilla business strategy. Advise shareholders and the board when required.
• Management of trade associations:
  Participation in trade association meetings and support to the participation of business colleagues; effective representation of Barilla’s interests and position within the association. Alignment of internal colleagues on topics and issues discussed by the trade associations. Alignment of the global team on local issues and topics.
• Sustainability communication:
  Participation in conferences and events to represent Barilla’s position and achievements in the field of sustainability; organization of the launch event for the sustainability report; organization of events, throughout the year, on sustainability topics relevant for Barilla US and Americas; ensuring effective media coverage of Barilla global and local sustainability initiatives.
• Corporate communication:
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Will be required to drafting and deliver speeches, press releases, and write/deliver corporate presentations with NGO’s, Stakeholders, and regulators.
• Support to Corporate PR activities:
  Use of own network of contacts to support Company PR and reputational initiatives; successful coverage of business projects or to obtain industry recognition for activities/results.
• Crisis management:
  Support to the local crisis team. Drafting of statements, Q&A, comms materials when needed. Implementation of global and local crisis management strategies in partnership with Crisis Teams.

Act as spokesperson on behalf of the company if needed.

• Bachelor’s degree required - Marketing, PR, or Communication focus preferred
• Mini…