Director of Communications

Job ID:  499522

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH company, provides Portland and masonry cements to help build the foundation and infrastructure for the world around us.  We ship millions of tons of cement from our plants and network of terminals located across North America. When you work for Ash Grove, you are connecting to something bigger. We stand together to reinvent the way our world is built. Join our team and help Ash Grove build America.

At Ash Grove Cement, people are our first priority. We offer a complete benefits package and opportunities for your continued growth and development 

Summary: 

The Director of Communications manages internal and external communication throughout the organization. This position works directly with senior leadership to execute an overall communications strategy for CRH's Americas Cement. The position understands the unique value proposition of the cement business allowing for successful creation, implementation, and oversight of the communications necessary to promote the company's business strategy and to inform its stakeholders and employees of critical corporate developments. The Director of Communications works closely with and travels to the company's various plants and offices across the US and Canada to ensure appropriate corporate messaging relating to media and other designated parties.

What you’ll be contributing:

• Promote and follow all plant safety guidelines. 
• Develops and implements a communications strategy for Americas Cement that is aligned with CRH’s Americas Division communications objectives and strengthens the company’s brand identity across key stakeholders.
• Works closely with internal stakeholders at all levels to understand their internal communication needs, provide guidance on communications approaches, develop plans, and implement tactics.
• Manages the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and digital collateral, including, but not limited to, newsletters, brochures, company-wide email, and Ash Grove’s website.
• Identifies challenges and emerging issues faced by the sector and organization.
• Works with key stakeholders to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Strengthens the impact and effectiveness of existing communications platforms and creates new and innovative communication delivery tactics to maximize messaging impact.
• Supports leadership with talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material.
• Manages relationships with communications-related vendors or consultants and communications budget.
• Leads planning and preparations for managing communications in the event of crisis and mitigating risks.
• Ensures communications activities are coordinated and integrated where appropriate to ensure a reasonable flow of information and visibility for various business groups.
• Takes information and facts from multiple sources and distills and synthesizes them to make them appropriate for audiences and internal stakeholder groups.
• Collaborates with and supports communications objectives in developing content for a growing set of new CRH Group-wide channels, as well as annually published reports and magazines.
• Architects and implements a brand strategy for the company, with the brand value proposition and building brand affinity internally and externally; ensures all deliverables meet corporate brand identity and communications guidelines.
• Builds relationships with key contacts across the CRH Americas and CRH Group.
• Organizes internal communications to support site visits, conferences, and events.
• Coordinates the preparation and delivery of all aspects of video content (planning and coordination, scriptwriting, etc.).
• Oversees or directs all communications intended for public consumption to ensure their alignment with Group policies and processes.
• Curates content and increases engagement on the organization’s social media channels.
• Serves as lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the organization and actively cultivates and directs press relationships to ensure coverage of issues of strategic importance to the sector, programs, special events, public announcements, and other projects.
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

To succeed in this position, you will need: 

• Ability to read, write, and understand warning labels, instructions, signs, etc. 
• Minimum undergraduate degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field. (Graduate degree a plus)
• Minimum 10 years of experience Using current technologies and platforms to amplify communications impact Managing vendor/consultant ( (graphic designers, multi-media, freelancers, webcasting, photographers,  videographers) relationships for a large organization. Experience within a related industry or sector, with a broad understanding of key stakeholders and community engagement.
• Proficient in writing (including proofreading and editing skills) English, effective verbal communication, and listening skills
• Ability to promote information sharing
• Ability to work within tight timeframes and meet strict deadlines
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to make sound independent judgments regularly
• Ability to possess a high degree of initiative
• Proficient in project management skills
• Ability to proactively approach responsibilities
• Ability to build and manages effective teams
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work in conjunction with and collaborate with others
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to successfully work with senior executives and other internal stakeholders
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite, WordPress, CMS, and social media platforms

What’s next for you? 

We provide stability and advancement opportunities across North America. Use our tuition reimbursement program to help you meet your career goals. 

The above duties and responsibilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive. The physical demands, working environment, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

What CRH Offers You

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• A diverse and inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

About CRH

CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest

Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company, is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE/Vet/Disability--If you want to know more, please click on this link.