External Communications Manager

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.External Communications ManagerLocation: St. Paul, MN, or U.S. RemoteAdditional Locations:Ontario Canada,United Kingdom, Ireland, Great Britain RemoteThe External Communications Manager is responsible for establishing, leading and implementing the global external communications strategy at H.B. Fuller in ways that connect stakeholders to H.B. Fuller’s mission and vision, protect and strengthen the company’s brand and reputation, and drive business success. Ultimately, the job of the External Communications Manager is to think like a content publisher, leading the development of proactive cross-company communications initiatives that tell the H.B. Fuller growth story and support and grow the overall brand.The External Communications Manager will be an excellent creative writer and communications strategist who has extensive media relations experience, the ability to build and maintain strong media relationships, high energy, attention to detail, and the ability to set a compelling vision, marshal a team and partners to achieve it, and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. The individual will be an expert in all things related to external communications strategy, content, brand consistency, analytics, and meaningful measurement.The individual in this role will serve as H.B. Fuller’s primary media leader and support members of the executive management team in their preparation for external presentations/engagements and media interviews. The role will also partner closely with the business units and digital team to tell H.B. Fuller’s story externally, and will lead the development of PR, media relations and brand best practices, toolkits, guidelines and associated governance models that equip and enable partners throughout the organization to consistently promote and protect H.B. Fuller’s corporate image and brand equity across stakeholder groups.This position reports to the Global Communications & Community Affairs Director at H.B. Fuller headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., with flexibility to work onsite, hybrid or remote.Primary Responsibilities include:Establish a path forward for external communications at H.B. Fuller, with the goal of developing an external communications strategy that builds brand and strengthens reputation among key stakeholders. Marshal internal resources and partnerships to achieve that vision. Continuous improvement and evolvement of strategy is key.Collaborate across business units and functions to define and tell the H.B. Fuller brand story to external audiencesChampion strategic external communications and promotional campaign ideas through various types of media, both proactive and reactive. Produce various proactive tactics, narratives, key message frameworks and campaigns.Work cross-functionally to develop impactful content and stories for a variety of external communications channels (social media, HBFuller.com and HBFuller.com Newsroom, press releases, talking points, videos, etc.); ensure external messaging is consistent across all media and audiences and aligns with internal messaging.Lead and oversee enterprise-level external communications activities, including editorial/content and channel strategy; governance; best practices; audits; and metrics/reporting. Regularly evaluate the efficacy of external communications activities, making continuous improvements.Establish guidelines, toolkits, best practices and governance models that equip and enable internal partners to effectively communicate on behalf of H.B. Fuller, in accordance with brand guidelines and standards.Oversee H.B. Fuller’s crisis communications best practices and response, internally and externally.Lead the development and continuous improvement of H.B. Fuller’s annual report and annual sustainability report.Lead enterprise messaging for mergers and acquisitions; coach and equip M&A project teams to effectively communicate M&A activity to key stakeholders.Implement media monitoring tools that provide data and insight to H.B. Fuller leadership, collaborating with key departments to share regular, customized news feeds as appropriate.Develop strong media relationships and manage relevant resources, such as agencies and other vendors, to support external communications efforts.Manage 1-2 communications professionals dedicated to external communications.Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field. Advanced degrees are a plus.Native English language skills.Six or more years’ experience in external corporate communications or a closely related field, ideally in-house.A strong team leader, with previous experience managing others and leading high-performing teams.  Role will have one direct report initially. Expert-level writing, editing and proofreading skills, with a focus on audience, purpose, clarity, and correctness.Significant experience building, executing and leading external communications strategies and projects; strong media relations experience.Expert-level proficiency in Associated Press (AP) style guidelines.Experience supporting senior-executive communications.Ability to manage and accomplish multiple projects independently and meet deadlines on time.A self-starter with a strong work ethic and high level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.Proficient in basic MS programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)Travel required:  5- 25% as needed.Preferred Requirements:Master’s degreeKnowledge of the adhesives industryChinese, Spanish, German, or Portuguese second language proficiencySelf-motivated with the desire to work independently and be resourcefulTeam focused, with a desire to improve process and workflow for continuous improvementOutgoing and engaging personality, with ability to build trusted relationships internally and externallyPhysical Environment:Flexible on work location (onsite, remote or hybrid). Reports to corporate office in St. Paul, Minnesota.Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.The salary for this role is $130,000 - 170,000.In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.SummaryLocation: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Remote-USA; Remote-Ontario-CanadaType: Full time