Business Communications Manager - North American Packaging Solutions

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Pay Rate:

$118,400 - $157,800

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN

The Job You Will Perform:

Position Overview

The Business Communications Manager will support North American Packaging Solutions strategic business initiatives. The position consists of leading, developing and implementing a communications strategy for key business priorities that enables deliberate and continuous focus including articulating business strategies and focus areas, strategy acceleration, go-to-market strategies, asset optimization, safety and sustainability.

The position reports directly to the Sr. Manager, Communications, North American Packaging Solutions.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Works with and supports assigned business area and lead team on identified priorities and communication needs.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a communication plan, which includes strategies for enhancing both internal and external communications and addresses stakeholders, channels and business objectives/deliverables.
• Serve as communications lead, assist with change management and develop communications materials required to support strategy development, strategy acceleration and asset optimization.
• Coordinate with team members on developing and enhancing awareness of key business priorities including sustainability, safety, commercial/customer initiatives and/or community engagement as well as other duties as assigned.
• Act as a communications advisor and coach on communication matters to leaders and project teams as needed.
• Create, collect and disseminate messaging that drives deliberate improvement, facilitates alignment to realize results and supports employee engagement.
• Develop, enhance and/or sustain employee communication channels and feedback systems, such as newsletters, message boards, toolkits, in-person meetings, etc. which are required to properly support strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrate the ability to drive departmental and business results by working collaboratively throughout all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrate the ability to make the complex simple; present information clearly, concisely and compellingly.
• Support other facility or business projects and initiatives as needed.
• Travel is required (less than 50%).

      Key Challenges

• Managing multiple and diverse issues of leadership and employees (hourly and salary union/non-union).
• Developing/maintaining leader and employee trust, credibility and influence.
• Translating company/business strategic initiatives into effective stakeholder communications.
• Time management/balancing multiple priorities among various stakeholders.
• Advancing communications methods beyond the present approach.
• Working collaboratively across function to align communications.

      Scope

• Responsible for communications across multiple strategic projects and initiatives.
• Support Packaging Solutions assigned business organization, both at headquarters and in the field.

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related major.
• A minimum of ten years of communications or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated employee communications experience.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective communications systems.
• Ability to interact and build relationships with various levels of the organization in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and adapt to a changing work environment.
• Ability to collaborate with business team leader, team members and corporate communications team to ensure strategy alignment, project updates and awareness among the team.
• Strong planning, project management, priority setting skills.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Experience with graphic design software and web-based tools a plus.
• Manufacturing environment experience preferred.
• Key Leadership Competencies required: Interpersonal Savvy, Action Oriented, Listening, Planning, Organizational Agility, Composure, Dealing with Ambiguity, Time Management.
• Key Functional/Technical Competencies: Message Creation, Channel Management, Speaking & Presentation Development, Dialogue Enablement, Project Planning.

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

The Career You Will Build:

Leadership training and promotional opportunities within a global company.

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.  International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Memphis  TN  38197