Marketing Communication Manager

The Valspar Corporation is one of the largest global coatings manufacturers in the world, providing coatings and coating intermediates to a wide variety of customers.

As the lead Communications Manager for Valspar Automotive Americas, your job is to make sure the industry knows the amazing, full story about our umbrella brand and individual brands. The Marketing Communications Manager, Americas is a strategic position. The Marketing Communications Manager, Americas is a strategic position that reports to the Regional Marketing Director and works closely with Product / Brand Managers, Sales Leadership and Business Unit Leadership to create, implement and oversee world class, effective and creative communications programs, be it internal or external, that effectively describes and promotes the organization and its products and is in alignment around Platform/BU strategies and priorities. This important role also leads the BU Communications team.

* Responsible for all internal and external marketing communications activities on a regional basis for our Business and market platforms. The role is strategic with tactical oversight. * Negotiates and/or supervises the negotiation and selection of business with external suppliers and agencies. * Using advanced knowledge, partners with Marketing/Product line managers, corporate account leaders and customer leaders to oversee the development and execution of key messages/tactics and best practice sharing to be leveraged globally. * Subject matter expert for marketing communications – training, education and outreach. * Works across broader Valspar to ensure consistency and effectiveness of marketing communications. * Within a regional or global team, acts as a consultant to commercial/marketing managers, and helps define how to target opportunities using marketing communication tools. * Defines and establishes a clear, consistent, and effective communication strategy to ensure that Valspar’s capabilities are well understood by intended market segments. * Works closely with key business stakeholders to create actionable content to position Valspar as the preferred supplier in the industry. * Has overall ownership for executing the communication plans to support the business marketing strategy. Communication/promotion strategy relates to both current and new products and covers digital media, public relations, brochures, customer events, sales force communication, etc. * Using specialized and advanced knowledge, plans, creates and manages the overall BU and/or Portfolio of business internal/external communication strategy and plan, including: new product launches, online strategies (e.g. intranet, Valspar.com, social media, PR/media relations, advertising, collateral, etc.), Go-To-Market web strategy, Valspar brand strategies, employee brand communications, message/content strategy and PR development strategy. * Provides leadership, training and expertise within a regional business on marketing communication strategy and tactics. Aligns business messaging with Valspar’s brand strategy. * Provides training, coaching and development in marketing communications/PR, e.g. press releases and article development/approval, crisis communications, position statements, and media relations. * Works with leaders, Business Unit sales and marketing, and technical leaders to help develop, approve and implements business plans at the BU/ regional level. * Develops strategy and oversees implementation of new programs to drive value and sales and engage customers. * Provides leadership and execution of the strategies used to build and promote the Valspar brand worldwide to a regional team. Responsible for executing brand identity and architecture –where the brand is used and when/how. * Leads the development of internal/external communication strategies. Delivers Valspar brand messaging throughout the organization. * Leads, develops and executes deployment of external communication through messaging and content for regional BU and/or market platforms (segment/market/brand/product line). * Manages research to inform of existing and potential strategies for regional or global businesses. * Leads management of media plan and relationships, supports business unit media planning, and manages branding/communication of Valspar public spaces. * Using advanced knowledge of marketing communications, helps create a positive environment ot launch products. * Guides regional, functions and external partners to align messaging while continually building a global network that supports and extends the brand strategy. * Designs the layout of publications and selects topics, as well as works with agencies to find writers. Determines the advertisement percentage, and which customers (the most strategic) the ads should go to. * Stays current on new technologies/trends to better equip the function with effective and efficient means of marketing Valspar products and services. * Provides direction and coaching/professional development support to team members. * Responsible for budget, program measurement and ROI (e.g. bi-annual scorecard, reporting of key performance metrics). * Supervises medium-large teams (workload, projects, coaching, performance management, work approval). * Accountable for team’s productivity. * Ensures implementation of an integrated talent management program to attract, train and develop the Marketing professionals and to ensure optimum level of workforce engagement. * Identifies the critical skills and knowledge required for successful job performance; champions the recognition of the best contributors; and identifies/removes barriers to performance. * Delivers, completes and oversees individual performance reviews and establishes development goals aligned with business and technical competencies. Identifies and develops key talent to support future business needs. * Coaches and develops the Marketing professionals and defines career growth paths. Identifies skills gaps and creates targeted developmental plans. Provides straightforward feedback; addresses performance issues b implementing actionable developmental plans and executes for all employees. * Overall accountability for ensuring timely and appropriate performance communication is delivered and is aligned with individual and business performance success factors.

Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent, in Marketing, Communications or Business * Minimum of eight years hands-on experience in marketing/marketing communications with at least three years of proven marketing management leadership * Knowledge of the Automotive Aftermarket (specifically collision repair), commercial, and global factors a plus * Experience with: trade shows, online strategies (incl. SEO, social, video, web, etc.), advertising, copywriting, PR, and advertising/ strategic/branding agencies * Proven, high-level, written and visual branding acumen * Excellent MS office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) * Excellent communication and presentation skills * A strong conceptual thinker, organized and detail oriented * Strong teamwork, business communication and relationship management skills Behavioral Competencies: * Excellent project management and organizational skills * Ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines; must be able to multi-task and manage conflicting priorities in a schedule-driven environment * General ability to present to business leadership * Results driven, proactive and able to work autonomously * Ability to work in a fast-paced environment * Problem solving attitude; creative solutions * Entrepreneurial, flexible, change embracing in rapidly evolving work and market environment * Ability to relate to and work with a wide variety of stakeholders * Engaged with and focused on customer satisfaction * Self-motivated with a commitment to team orientation * High Emotional Intelligence – Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Management * Lifelong learner * Able to work independently while also contributing to a team-oriented, collaborative environment * Outstanding oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills * Quality & attention to detail * Character and leadership capabilities * Ability to influence