Unilever
Communications Director
Unilever, El Segundo, California, United States, 90245
About Liquid I.V.
At Liquid I.V., our purpose is to elevate the vitality of people and the planet. An ambitious goal? Yes! But by playing to win, holding the bar higher, championing wellbeing, and always thinking with a pioneering mindset we can go further together to leave a lasting mark.
Our products are stocked in over 80,000 retail doors, including the world’s leading specialty, big box, and online retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and many more. In just over 10 years, our growth has been exponential. And as part of Unilever, we’re continuing the expansion of Liquid I.V. into a global brand.
We’re also passionate about cultivating solutions for equitable clean water access, a healthier planet, and thriving communities. We contribute over 1% of our company revenue to our Impact Program through which we provide partnerships and grants to organizations that expand access to clean and abundant water locally and globally. By 2026, our goal is to help ensure access to clean water for 2 million people around the world.
About our Team:
We are a world-class team of innovators and passionate changemakers, looking to develop transformative hydration solutions and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.
At Liquid I.V., we are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve.
Our team members enjoy a flexible and inclusive working environment, a highly collaborative and innovation-forward culture, generous benefits and perks that empower employees to champion their wellbeing every day, as well as an infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for extraordinary hydration.
About the role:
The Communications Director is a critical role that will sit on the Marketing Leadership Team reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer. The Marketing Department is categorized by six sub-departments: Downstream Marketing, Creative, Consumer Insights, Innovation, Impact, and Communications. This role will head up this very important department and oversee all components of Brand PR, Corporate Comms (Thought Leadership), Crisis Comms, Internal Comms. This individual would have the support of a full-suite agency scoped to partner with them on all fronts, as well as an internal team.
We are seeking someone with extensive experience in CPG and a proven track-record of success across these Communications disciplines. This person will be adept at managing high volume of projects through strong project management skills, comfortable operating at a strategic level to elevate Liquid I.V., but also comfortable getting into the details to support and coach/develop the team as needed. They should be comfortable and have experience interfacing with executive leadership. They will be the primary point of contact for our PR agency and play a strong connecting role with the balance of the Marketing Department. Join us and help us build out a Comms Department fit for a $1B brand!
Functions and duties of this role include, but not limited to:
Lead the Communications department as sub-department inclusive of: Brand PR, Corporate Comms (including Thought Leadership), Internal Comms, Crisis Comms.
Brand PR (30%)
Lead the development of the Brand’s PR strategy to increase earned media, competitive share of voice, positioning the business as a thought leader in the market.
Collaborate with internal marketing team to strengthen campaign ideas, support agency in the generation of a winning angle and pitch that will garner earned media support – bring creative ideas to the table.
Lead media outreach initiatives in the business inclusive of pitching, handling inbound media queries, and managing relationships between the business and local, national, and international media.
Manage contract for any celebrity partnerships including brand safety vetting, contract negotiation in partnership with legal, and talent management throughout the duration of the campaign.
Corporate Comms (20%)
Work cross functionally with key stakeholders including brand, legal, the executive team and Unilever to develop and execute proactive and reactive programs that align to corporate initiatives and priorities.
Lead the cohesive strategy for the brand, the CEO and other members of the executive leadership team to uniquely position Liquid I.V. and its executive team as thought leaders in the industry.
Drive proactive Media/PR to elevate Liquid I.V. in the CPG industry and beyond (beauty, lifestyle, pop culture, etc).
Elevate our impact program as a key element of our company DNA.
Crisis Comms (20%)
Identify, prevent and prioritize potential cross-functional crises on behalf of Liquid I.V.
In the event of a crisis, operate swiftly to connect the right cross-functional stakeholders, develop responsive comms if needed, align with legal, cross-functional teams, executive leadership team and Unilever if needed.
Provide executive level reports on preparedness, plans, findings, including tracking and resolving ongoing repetitive incident-related issues, root cause analysis status and other post-incident review, preventative measures being implemented, and continuous improvement.
Internal Comms (30%)
Operate as the internal lead and single point of contact for Internal Communications.
Establish an internal communications strategy and goals in partnership with P&C and our PR agency to ensure business initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees and stakeholders.
Support other functions in development of content, or own content (depending on subject) to cascade internally as needed.
Oversee content for a variety of internal communications mediums, such as the staff intranet, email, Teams, LinkedIn, company Careers page and more.
Drive awareness of and participation in major people initiatives (Culture, rewards and recognition programs, and processes.).
Ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages.
Qualifications:
10+ years of experience in Communications with experience in CPG required.
Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/or related field, MBA preferred.
Excellent communication skills (written, oral, interpersonal, and group presentation) and demonstrated ability to explain complex concepts to a wide audience.
Demonstrated experience with project management and ability to navigate high volume of projects.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once and willing to work the occasional weekend and/or evening during important events
Strong coaching and development teams with proven experience in people management.
Experience with agency/vendor management.
Experience with crisis management in CPG business.
Collaborative cross-functional partner, able to educate other members of the team on Comms where needed.
High bar for execution detail and quality of work.
Comfort leveraging data and analytics for internal story-telling and influencing strategy.
What We Give:
100% company-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (PPO, HMO and Kaiser options).
A 401k plan with company match, short and long-term disability coverage.
A generous PTO and sick policy that includes 13+ paid annual holidays.
Wellness classes (fitness, mental health, nutrition, finance, etc.).
An Employee Assistance Program, including membership for guided meditation for all employees.
Monthly tech and wellness reimbursement.
An infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for endless hydration!
Work Environment:
Hybrid office environment with flexibility for industry events.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
The expected salary range for this position is $147,600 - $184,500 annually. The exact salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal company equity, and budget.
This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company’s mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.
We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
At Liquid I.V., our purpose is to elevate the vitality of people and the planet. An ambitious goal? Yes! But by playing to win, holding the bar higher, championing wellbeing, and always thinking with a pioneering mindset we can go further together to leave a lasting mark.
Our products are stocked in over 80,000 retail doors, including the world’s leading specialty, big box, and online retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and many more. In just over 10 years, our growth has been exponential. And as part of Unilever, we’re continuing the expansion of Liquid I.V. into a global brand.
We’re also passionate about cultivating solutions for equitable clean water access, a healthier planet, and thriving communities. We contribute over 1% of our company revenue to our Impact Program through which we provide partnerships and grants to organizations that expand access to clean and abundant water locally and globally. By 2026, our goal is to help ensure access to clean water for 2 million people around the world.
About our Team:
We are a world-class team of innovators and passionate changemakers, looking to develop transformative hydration solutions and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.
At Liquid I.V., we are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve.
Our team members enjoy a flexible and inclusive working environment, a highly collaborative and innovation-forward culture, generous benefits and perks that empower employees to champion their wellbeing every day, as well as an infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for extraordinary hydration.
About the role:
The Communications Director is a critical role that will sit on the Marketing Leadership Team reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer. The Marketing Department is categorized by six sub-departments: Downstream Marketing, Creative, Consumer Insights, Innovation, Impact, and Communications. This role will head up this very important department and oversee all components of Brand PR, Corporate Comms (Thought Leadership), Crisis Comms, Internal Comms. This individual would have the support of a full-suite agency scoped to partner with them on all fronts, as well as an internal team.
We are seeking someone with extensive experience in CPG and a proven track-record of success across these Communications disciplines. This person will be adept at managing high volume of projects through strong project management skills, comfortable operating at a strategic level to elevate Liquid I.V., but also comfortable getting into the details to support and coach/develop the team as needed. They should be comfortable and have experience interfacing with executive leadership. They will be the primary point of contact for our PR agency and play a strong connecting role with the balance of the Marketing Department. Join us and help us build out a Comms Department fit for a $1B brand!
Functions and duties of this role include, but not limited to:
Lead the Communications department as sub-department inclusive of: Brand PR, Corporate Comms (including Thought Leadership), Internal Comms, Crisis Comms.
Brand PR (30%)
Lead the development of the Brand’s PR strategy to increase earned media, competitive share of voice, positioning the business as a thought leader in the market.
Collaborate with internal marketing team to strengthen campaign ideas, support agency in the generation of a winning angle and pitch that will garner earned media support – bring creative ideas to the table.
Lead media outreach initiatives in the business inclusive of pitching, handling inbound media queries, and managing relationships between the business and local, national, and international media.
Manage contract for any celebrity partnerships including brand safety vetting, contract negotiation in partnership with legal, and talent management throughout the duration of the campaign.
Corporate Comms (20%)
Work cross functionally with key stakeholders including brand, legal, the executive team and Unilever to develop and execute proactive and reactive programs that align to corporate initiatives and priorities.
Lead the cohesive strategy for the brand, the CEO and other members of the executive leadership team to uniquely position Liquid I.V. and its executive team as thought leaders in the industry.
Drive proactive Media/PR to elevate Liquid I.V. in the CPG industry and beyond (beauty, lifestyle, pop culture, etc).
Elevate our impact program as a key element of our company DNA.
Crisis Comms (20%)
Identify, prevent and prioritize potential cross-functional crises on behalf of Liquid I.V.
In the event of a crisis, operate swiftly to connect the right cross-functional stakeholders, develop responsive comms if needed, align with legal, cross-functional teams, executive leadership team and Unilever if needed.
Provide executive level reports on preparedness, plans, findings, including tracking and resolving ongoing repetitive incident-related issues, root cause analysis status and other post-incident review, preventative measures being implemented, and continuous improvement.
Internal Comms (30%)
Operate as the internal lead and single point of contact for Internal Communications.
Establish an internal communications strategy and goals in partnership with P&C and our PR agency to ensure business initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees and stakeholders.
Support other functions in development of content, or own content (depending on subject) to cascade internally as needed.
Oversee content for a variety of internal communications mediums, such as the staff intranet, email, Teams, LinkedIn, company Careers page and more.
Drive awareness of and participation in major people initiatives (Culture, rewards and recognition programs, and processes.).
Ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages.
Qualifications:
10+ years of experience in Communications with experience in CPG required.
Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/or related field, MBA preferred.
Excellent communication skills (written, oral, interpersonal, and group presentation) and demonstrated ability to explain complex concepts to a wide audience.
Demonstrated experience with project management and ability to navigate high volume of projects.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once and willing to work the occasional weekend and/or evening during important events
Strong coaching and development teams with proven experience in people management.
Experience with agency/vendor management.
Experience with crisis management in CPG business.
Collaborative cross-functional partner, able to educate other members of the team on Comms where needed.
High bar for execution detail and quality of work.
Comfort leveraging data and analytics for internal story-telling and influencing strategy.
What We Give:
100% company-paid medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (PPO, HMO and Kaiser options).
A 401k plan with company match, short and long-term disability coverage.
A generous PTO and sick policy that includes 13+ paid annual holidays.
Wellness classes (fitness, mental health, nutrition, finance, etc.).
An Employee Assistance Program, including membership for guided meditation for all employees.
Monthly tech and wellness reimbursement.
An infinite supply of Liquid I.V. for endless hydration!
Work Environment:
Hybrid office environment with flexibility for industry events.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
The expected salary range for this position is $147,600 - $184,500 annually. The exact salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal company equity, and budget.
This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to the company’s mission, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Liquid I.V.
We are committed to building an inclusive culture of belonging that not only embraces the diversity of our people but also reflects the diversity of the communities in which we work and the customers we serve. We know that the happiest and highest performing teams include people with diverse perspectives that encourage new ways of solving problems, so we strive to attract and develop talent from all backgrounds and create workplaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
Liquid I.V. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.