Director, PR & Corporate Communication

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Job description

Enjoy working on-site at Shoe Carnival's corporate headquarters located at 7500 E Columbia St, Evansville, Indiana 47715

The Director of PR / Corporate Communications is responsible for leading corporate communications and public relations for Shoe Carnival and building the corporate communications function from the ground up.

This position sets and executes the media strategy for business communications and increases awareness and the reputation of Shoe Carnival through storytelling for business, consumer, and internal audiences, as well as providing leadership communication support for the Shoe Carnival CEO and other executives.

The Director of PR/Corporate Communications as public relations lead will craft initiatives, strategies and plans that complement Shoe Carnival's overall marketing efforts. These initiatives will span a broad range, from business/financial news, sustainability, philanthropic and community programs and activities to ESG, crisis communication, and local / community events.

• Supports Shoe Carnival's CEO for internal and external company communications, including media opportunities, Town Halls, Store Operations Meetings, quarterly earnings calls, investor conferences, etc.
• Positions the CEO as an industry thought leader. Identifies trending topics and issues of importance for the CEO to address, identifies and arranges speaking, publication and social media opportunities; and drafts internal and external communications on behalf of the CEO.
• Develops, plans and executes corporate storytelling platforms including media relations, corporate social channels (Linked In) and creates opportunities to leverage existing consumer-focused social channels to tell the business & employee side of the Shoe Carnival story.
• Supports executives on specific external communications activities including, but not limited to media interviews, conference speaking and thought leadership opportunities, and communications materials development including creating and implementing the voice for executive communications.
• Builds the PR function, developing news-worthy ideas, events and campaigns that cover business / financial news, ESG, and consumer PR.
• Directs community and philanthropy programs and activities.
• Establishes, manages, and nurtures relationships with key media outlets and press.
• Proactively serves as Shoe Carnival's media relations spokesperson and corporate liaison, including preparation and distribution of press releases, media statements and fact sheets and producing reactive responses to media queries and requests as necessary.
• Negotiates contracts and manages external PR agencies, partners, vendors and contractors.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree is required; Masters preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years as a marketing leader in a comparable sized organization.
• At least three (3) years serving in a supervisory capacity with proven experience leading cross functional teams to a successful outcome, experience building teams from scratch preferred.
• Comfortable leading strategy as well as executing.
• Proven ability to develop deep relationships with corporate and trade press.
• Experience working with and managing PR and creative agencies.
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, with proven ability to coach senior leaders to improve their communication skills, effectively preparing them for presentations, speaking events and reactive messaging.
• Exceptional business acumen & experience guiding communications planning for senior executives and developing complex company messaging in clear, concise, and compelling ways for multiple types of internal and external audiences.
• An accomplished writer and storyteller, with experience writing press releases, producing videos, digital media, PowerPoint presentations, speeches and live events that tell visual & impactful stories.
• Excellent discretion, demonstrating sound judgment in dealing with confidential information.
• Must be a team player, acting as a positive collaborator with many different associates and departments throughout the organization.

Total Rewards:

The Shoe Carnival, Inc. Total Rewards program offers eligible associates highly competitive benefits, including the following:

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Time Off (Vacation & Sick Time)
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life, Disability, and Voluntary Benefits
• Fitness Membership Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee & Family Discounts
• Relocation Opportunities