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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.

Manager, Public Affairs & Community Relations

Job Location: Chicago

Want to make an impact?

The Manager, Public Affairs and Community Relations, you will help build and scale Ferrara’s ongoing work with our communities, local government officials and other policymakers and stakeholders. 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 helping to manage government relations/issues, stakeholder relations and community connections and will help manage issues at the state, county and local levels 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 government relations programs and possess external and internal political acumen. You work well independently and across teams, agile, able to reprioritize and shift gears quickly, and comfortable in a high-pressure environment.

Ways you will make a difference

Develop, manage, and enable delivery of key messages to important stakeholder audiences to clearly define and communicate the company’s strategic business priorities, while also promoting company brands and programs
Manage the identification of government-related business opportunities and facilitate discussions with government to support those efforts
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.
Execute community outreach strategy, ensuring partnerships that align to business needs and objectives
Represent Ferrara and Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications Team at external meetings, events and ceremonies

Skills that will make you successful

Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
Demonstrated ability to build strategies aligned with business goals and company culture
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong sense of initiative and ability to work under pressure on multiple projects with tight deadlines

Experiences that will support your success

5-7 years of Government Relations and Public Affairs experience, including community relations
Bachelor’s degree required
Microsoft Office proficiency
Travel requirement - 20% 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.