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For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Director of Corporate Affairs

Job Location: Chicago

Chicago – hybrid (60% in office; 40% remote)

Want to make an impact?

The Director, Corporate Affairs will manage and build on our government relations and public affairs relationships in our communities, and will lead the team working with local, state, and national stakeholders and policymakers. Specifically, you will work with the Company’s VP of Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications to craft the strategy and plans that protect and enhance the reputation of Ferrara as a growth business and key community partner. You will be responsible for managing government relations/issues, stakeholder relations and community affairs and the associated budget, and you will help manage proactive and reactive issues that impact, or potentially impact, the current business practices and the future growth and profitability of the company. As the ideal candidate, you will have an established track record of successfully managing public affairs and government relations programs and teams and possess external and internal communications acumen. You work well independently and across teams, and you have a proven ability to understand the needs of the business that impact legislative and regulatory strategy. You are agile, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly, and comfortable in a fast paced environment, and you have a bias for action in your work.

Ways you will make a difference

Crafting and managing local and national advocacy plans to advance the Company’s policy positions and issue solutions, including:

Create a multi-year view of legislative and regulatory opportunities and challenges, and develop the associated action plan for Ferrara across relevant states and at the federal level
Develop, manage, and enable delivery of key messages and materials to important stakeholder audiences to clearly define and communicate the company’s strategic business priorities
Work hand-in-hand with company lobbyists working to shape our priorities and messaging for legislative and regulatory policy conversations
Plan, draft and launch communications campaigns and messaging supporting government relations and community relations goals and develop and manage the budget
Work with team leader to Counsel the company Senior Leadership Team on issues management and conduct message training
Track and inform company of all matters of interest and help provide analysis of legislative or proposed regulations and updating with reports on subsequent action
Manage and execute community outreach strategy, ensuring partnerships that align to business needs and objectives
Represent Ferrara and Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications Team at external stakeholder meetings, events and ceremonies
Work collaboratively with and effectively manage the company’s communications agency
Build a high performing team
Ensure ongoing reporting of KPIs in key internal reports
Other projects or duties as assigned

Skills that will make you successful

Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
High ethical standards
Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and on multiple projects with tight deadlines
Demonstrated ability to build strategies aligned with business goals and company culture
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong sense of initiative
Desire to create tangible results for your company, and ones in which you can take personal pride

Experiences that will support your success

11-15 years of government relations or public affairs experience
Bachelor’s degree required
Microsoft Office adeptness
Travel requirement – 20-30% travel
This position must pass a post-offer background and drug test
Project and budget management

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.