Public Affairs Manager

Your Job

Georgia‑Pacific is seeking a Public Affairs Manager for our container board operations in Big Island, VA. The Public Affairs Manager is a valuable member of the mill leadership team, providing professional communications and public affairs guidance on critical issues. The position supports leaders and managers who are directly responsible for production and operations at the site. The role will spend approximately 70% of his/her time working on internal communications and employee engagement, 20% of his/her time on public affairs (community relations and local government interaction) and 10% on proactive and reactive media relations.

Additionally, this role will provide public affairs and communications support, as required, for the company and other GP facilities in the region while coordinating with the corporate team.

The Big Island container board manufacturing site has been in continuous operation since 1891 along the James River in Bedford County, Virginia. This facility produces paper that is sold to packaging customers along the East Coast to make corrugated boxes. The mill is situated approximately 30 minutes from Lynchburg, and less than an hour from Roanoke in central Virginia. The mill employs more than 300 people and generates nearly $80 million in economic benefit through direct and indirect wages and benefits.

The mill site also includes a Wildlife Habitat Council certified habitat and an experimental forest in cooperation with the American Chestnut Foundation.

• Develop, implement and manage a strategic employee communications program at the mill, as well as internal communications support of critical mill and company initiatives, including use of best practices from the public affairs and communications team across other GP mills and corporate headquarters in Atlanta.
• Establish strong relationships with community members including local government officials, regulatory agencies, businesses and community groups. Coordinate external issues engagement and activities with GP legal, governmental affairs and corporate communications teams.
• As part of the mill leadership team, advise on issues, attitudes and opinions both inside and outside the company that could affect mill operations. This includes establishing a climate of cooperation with employees and implementing or helping support necessary programs to maintain GP's position as a leader in a highly competitive industry.
• Establish and maintain the means to detect signals of company vulnerability in external and internal environments.
• Maintain a crisis communications plan for the mill and serve as a member of its crisis management team.
• Develop strong relationships with reporters and editors who cover the community/region and participate in the process of gathering and disseminating news. This includes serving as company spokesperson where appropriate and facilitating/managing interviews of others.
• Develop and implement mill investment and volunteer opportunities that are aligned with GP's focus areas (education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment) to support the community and create long‑term value for our business, community, and customers.

• Minimum of 5 years of public relations or related experience.
• Experience with communications strategy and programs, including adapting and implementing best practices of other communications programs.
• Excellent writing, editing and general communication skills.
• Experience with news media and community relations.

• Undergraduate degree (journalism, communications, or public relations preferred)
• Experience working in or exposure to a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with supporting leadership communication and employee engagement efforts.
• Experience working with digital communication tools, including video, social media and SharePoint or other web‑based applications.
• Involvement with community groups (chambers of commerce or other business groups).
• Knowledge of and experience working with elected officials and appointed government officials.

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