Communications Specialist, Expert - Crisis Communications

Strategic Communication and Issues Management CHS, a diversified global agribusiness cooperative owned by farmers and local cooperatives across the United States, has an exciting opportunity to support the strategic communication needs of the company’s approach to issues and crisis management. This position will collaborate with a team of communication experts to support the planning, preparation and execution of issues management and crisis communications.

This role is responsible for participating in and leading the development and execution of crisis communication strategies and tactics to protect the company’s reputation. Through collaboration and communication with leadership, this individual will ensure alignment with our purpose of creating connections to empower agriculture, company strategies and priorities and business and product goals. Among other strategies and tactics, the person will lead the team to plan, develop and execute various communication tactics aimed to support CHS and position the company for growth.

This individual will be part of the company’s dynamic CHS communication team and reports to the leader of reputation.

Responsibilities:

Crisis Communication and Preparedness

• Understand CHS, our businesses, and our operations to support crisis and issues preparedness and communication across the enterprise. 
• Conduct ongoing assessments of potential issues facing the organization and develop plans to anticipate and mitigate issues. 
• Develop and implement crisis communication strategies and craft a comprehensive crisis communication plan that can safeguard our integrity and reputation. 
• Participate in the development and leadership of preparedness efforts, including drills, exercises, and training. 
• Support and prepare potential company spokespeople for addressing media and other stakeholders in the event of a crisis or incident. 
• Serve as crisis communications subject matter expert to others throughout the CHS organization to drive a common understanding of effective issues and crisis communication plans. 
• Work closely with the Director of Reputation and various internal stakeholders, as well as across the Corporate Communications team on managing and coordinating crisis response. 
• Oversee the use of communication channels needed to reach employees or other stakeholders during a crisis situation. 
• In partnership with the Director of Reputation, be available and on-call for crisis situations that may occur outside of business hours. 
• Build and maintain a close partnership with other teams throughout CHS, including, but not limited to safety, security, legal, HR and EHS.

Strategic Communications

• Serve as a collaborative expert, providing innovative and effective communication solutions to reach core audiences, championing new ideas that drive results. 
• Collaboratively develop and lead execution of communications strategies, plans and tactics as aligned with company policies and processes. 
• Deliver projects or initiatives that are on time and on budget, exceed stakeholder goals and expectations and support a consistently excellent CHS and communication experience. 
• Establish and maintain credibility with leaders and other stakeholders through effective planning and execution of communication initiatives. 
• Measure for effectiveness and continuous improvement, applying and sharing learnings to further build communication proficiency and support for the team’s work across the business.

Minimum Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or related field 
• 7+ years of experience in strategic communication or crisis communications and response 
• Experience creating and implementing internal and external communication strategies and programs 
• Business acumen and interest in the agribusiness and/or energy industry 
• Experience developing crisis communication strategies and plans and executing on those plans 
• Experience leading, facilitating or participating in tabletop exercises as part of crisis preparedness 
• Ability to lead in a crisis, gain support of key leaders and maintain composure 
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate a complex global organization 
• Strong executive presence and communication skills to clearly articulate ideas and strategies 
• Strong writing and editing skills paired with business and issues management acumen 
• Experience professionally interfacing with other teams within a company including legal, compliance and safety, among other functions 
• Experience operating independently and executing flawlessly on strategic and tactical levels

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience supporting executive communications 
• Experience conducting or managing media and spokesperson training 
• Ability to work in-person 1-2 days/week at the CHS headquarters in Inver Grove Heights

CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care savings accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.