Director of Marketing Communications

Graco is seeking a visionary Global Director of Marketing Communications to lead our organization’s brand, content, and communication strategies. This is a newly created role that will lead us in brand recognition, drive customer engagement, and increase market share. Reporting directly to the EVP of Marketing, this role will lead a talented team of content, design, event, and communication professionals that shape our brand identity. This role is particularly critical as we gear up for our 100-year anniversary, shaping the future.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of brand development and communication tactics. We need someone who can navigate multiple high-priority projects and maintain a keen eye on the bigger picture to increase brand awareness and market share. Experience in change management and transformation will be a definite asset as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our industry.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Brand Strategy: Lead the creation, maintenance, and evolution of Graco’s brand image and identity while ensuring consistency across all channels and materials that aligns with the company’s mission, vision, and values. Establish KPIs to measure the effectiveness of our brand and implement tactics for maximum impact. 
• Content Creation and Curation: Oversee the production of creative content, including written, visual, and multimedia assets, that support the brand’s messaging and engages target audiences while ensuring consistency and quality across all channels in a timely manner. 
• Internal & External Communication: Create comprehensive communication strategies that effectively convey key messages to all stakeholders across diverse communication channels. Maintain and implement crisis communication plans to manage potential issues and protect the organizations reputation. 
• Event Management: Oversee the planning and execution of internal and community events for various audiences, including employees, media, and community leaders. 
• External Partnerships: Manage relationship with external partners, agencies, and influencers to enhance brand reach and impact. 
• Team Leadership: Recruit, develop, motivate, and retain a high-caliber team of professionals within the departments to ensure successful execution of strategies. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders to achieve buy-in on organizational content and communication goals. 
• Budget Management: Develop and manage departmental budgets, control expenses, and work to increase profitability to meet corporate goals. 
• Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze the performance of marketing and communications initiatives, using data to make informed decisions and improve strategies.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field; an MBA is preferred. 
• 10+ years of experience in marketing, branding, and communications in a corporate environment with a proven track record. 
• Exceptional creative, visual, written, and oral communications skills 
• Excellent ability to present and interface with the public comfortably 
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and guide a diverse team of professionals effectively 
• Superior organizational agility skills: ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports, peers, and customers internal/external to the organization. 
• Willingness to travel 10% of the time.

Desired:

• International and/or manufacturing business experience preferred. 
• Demonstrated understanding of business operations, marketing principles and management skills and techniques.