Senior Manager Corporate Communications

Job Title: Senior Manager, Corporate Communications  

Job Location: 19 E. Chocolate Ave. Hershey, PA 17033  

Senior Communications Manager - Thought Leadership & Strategy

Role Overview

A strategic communications professional responsible for developing and executing thought leadership content that drives a compelling, differentiated company narrative. This role combines external audience engagement with internal communications excellence, requiring strong project management, stakeholder relationship building, and team leadership capabilities. The role contributes to editorial strategy, leads communications planning, execution and measurement as part of a collaborative team, with primary focus on external audience-driven, results-focused business narratives aligned with commercial priorities and aligning employees to strategy and culture. The senior manager serves as a people leader responsible for coaching direct reports in their growth and development while requiring excellent team collaboration, influence, negotiation and interpersonal skills with management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

External Communications & Thought Leadership

• Lead development of audience-driven, results-focused business narratives aligned with commercial priorities
• Drive editorial strategy and content planning that differentiates the company in the marketplace
• Execute and measure communications initiatives that support business objectives
• Build and maintain external stakeholder relationships

Internal Communications Excellence & Change Management

• Strategic Internal Communications: Develop and execute comprehensive employee communication strategies that align workforce to business strategy, culture, and organizational priorities

• Multi-Channel Expertise: Master best-in-class employee communication channels including:
  • Digital platforms (intranet, mobile apps, collaboration tools)
  • Video communications and town halls
  • Executive messaging and cascading communications
  • Employee newsletters, pulse surveys, and feedback mechanisms
  • Social collaboration networks and peer-to-peer communication tools

• Change Management Leadership: Drive organizational transformation through strategic communication by:
  • Designing change communication frameworks that address resistance and build buy-in
  • Creating narrative arcs that help employees understand the "why" behind changes
  • Developing two-way communication strategies that capture employee sentiment and feedback
  • Partnering with HR and leadership teams to ensure consistent messaging across all touchpoints
  • Measuring communication effectiveness through engagement metrics, sentiment analysis, and behavior change indicators

• Communication Technology & Analytics: Leverage advanced communication platforms and measurement tools to optimize message delivery, track engagement, and demonstrate ROI of internal communications efforts

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Coach direct reports in their professional growth and development
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and influence across all organizational levels
• Create strategic linkages between internal/external, global/local, and company/brand initiatives
• Balance risk and opportunity communication to advance company purpose

Required Competencies

Core Leadership & Strategic Skills

• Strategic Communications Thinking: Ability to connect communications activities to business outcomes and create linkages between internal/external, global/local, company/brand, and risk/opportunity elements
• People Leadership: Proven management experience with coaching and development focus for direct reports and cross-functional teams
• Stakeholder Influence: Excellent collaboration, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with ability to build consensus across diverse organizational levels

Communications Excellence

• Multi-Channel Expertise: Experience across internal and external communications channels, including best-in-class employee communication platforms, technology, and measurement tools
• Content Mastery: Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills with ability to communicate authentically and translate complex concepts into clear, compelling content for diverse audiences and digital formats
• Change Communication: Proven track record of aligning employees to strategy and culture through strategic internal communications during organizational transformation

Execution & Personal Effectiveness

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with ability to multi-task, handle high volumes of information, and deliver under strict timelines
• Initiative & Innovation: Acts with conviction, seeks new ideas, suggests alternatives, and demonstrates attention to detail with strong work ethic
• Collaborative Independence: Team player with can-do attitude and ability to work both collaboratively and independently to drive company purpose and enhance organizational reputation

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public policy, social sciences or other associated major. 

Experience: Minimum 6-9 years of work experience in communications

A focus on one the following areas would be advantageous: communications strategy, public policy, marketing, or media relations

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. 

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