The Public Relations Lead position will provide Corporate Affairs expertise to support the success of a project which will develop and introduce a new food ingredient into the U.S. market. This position will manage the development and execution of a comprehensive public relations/public affairs strategy & plan to secure broad public support for the new product.  A successful public relations strategy will enable the project team to achieve its commercial objectives while enhancing Cargill's overall brand, reputation, and relationships with external stakeholders.  Once this particular project comes to a close, this position will be redeployed on a new project which may entail a different industry, business, product, etc.
 
Responsibilities:
 
30% - Contribute to the project team's deep understanding of the external environment and related factors that could influence the commercial objective. Advise and make recommendations to the project team, as appropriate, to inform decision making where such decisions may affect public support for the ingredient. Serve as an active and engaged member of the Project Core Team and work in partnership with the project team to share information and collaborate across work streams in a manner that supports the overall project goal.     
 
60% - Manage the development and execution of a comprehensive public relations/public affairs strategy and plan (including traditional and social media relations, government relations, NGO, and other stakeholder engagement) that secures broad public support for the introduction of a new food ingredient into the U.S. market.  Seek input from designated individuals throughout planning process, provide regular status reports at Core Team meetings and via other communication channels, and secure agreement by Core Team, Steering Team, and Corporate Affairs leadership on proposed strategy and related plans (including details specific to individual stakeholders, messages, tactics, and timeframes for engagement), and other major deliverables. Coordinate the engagement of all external consultants retained by Corporate Affairs to support the external strategy (including the management of project timelines, assignments and deliverables, processes for communication and approvals, budgets/billing matters, etc.) and other 3rd parties such as commercial partners, organizations or individuals supporting the public relations strategy.  Support and facilitate open lines of communication between external consultants and all individuals on the project, particularly the commercial lead, and ensure that consultant deliverables are produced on time and meet project team expectations.
 
10% - Coordinate the use of Corporate Affairs resources allocated to the project as appropriate and as supported by the project budget.  Seek input and develop mechanisms to ensure ongoing communication with Corporate Affairs colleagues, including periodic progress reports.   Ensure the project goals and objectives are being achieved in a manner that supports the broader interests of the Cargill enterprise and enhance Cargill's corporate brand, reputation, and positive relationships with external stakeholders.  

Requirements:
Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum of 10 years project or issues management experience
Leader or key contributor to results-oriented public relations campaigns that involved strategic communications and/or advocacy to achieve a strategic objective
Excellent organizational and supervisory skills, including attention to details, timelines and budgets
Sound judgment and an ability to think creatively and strategically
Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Project and Visio
Customer/client focus

Preferred:
Agency or other relevant experience developing strategies and leading public relations and/or public affairs campaigns to shape public opinion on issues that impact the food, beverage, pharmaceutical or other consumer goods market.  Product launch experience ideal.
Knowledge of or current relationships with opinion influencers focused on food safety, nutrition, health, and/or environmental issues.  

www.cargill.com/careers and search for Job # WAY03490