📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Director, Communications
🔹 Company: Schnuck Markets, Inc.
🔹 Location: Schnucks Store Support Center (Corporate Office), St. Louis, Missouri
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote)
🔹 Category: Communications, Public Relations
🔹 Date Posted: May 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with 1 remote day per week
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing comprehensive communication plans aligned with corporate goals
- Leading public relations strategies and serving as the primary spokesperson for the organization
- Overseeing internal communications and employee engagement efforts
- Collaborating with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals
- Mentoring a team of communication professionals and providing guidance to senior executives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans that align with Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives
✅ Lead the development, integration, and execution of comprehensive public relations strategies aligned with the organization's strategic objectives and leadership positioning
✅ Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization, managing media relations, handling media inquiries, and leading crisis communications
✅ Oversee internal communication efforts, including intranet, newsletter, and employee events, to keep employees informed and engaged
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment of communication efforts with organizational goals
✅ Lead and mentor a team of communication and strategic engagement professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment
✅ Provide guidance and support to senior executives on their communications, including speeches, presentations, and media interviews
✅ Oversee and manage the communications budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources
✅ Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of communication efforts
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to work well under pressure, and the capacity to handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field
Experience: 8+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
Required Skills:
- Excellent organizational and planning skills
- Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in internal and external communications
- Knowledge of and relationships with key media contacts - locally and nationally (trade specific)
- Knowledge of content management systems, HTML coding, and digital graphics production
- Ability to identify and achieve measurable strategic communications goals, strategies, and tactics
- Ability to maintain a Schnucks’ narrative and message structure
- Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, writing, editing, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to build productive relationships with internal and external constituents
- Ability to lead and exercise sound judgment in crisis management situations
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the retail or grocery industry
- Bilingual or multilingual skills
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in communications, with a proven track record of success in a leadership role. Experience in the retail or grocery industry is a plus but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Senior Director role in the St. Louis area)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on Schnucks products
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday, with some flexibility for on-call work during crisis situations
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail Groceries
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri
Company Description:
- Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 115 grocery stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin
- Founded in St. Louis in 1939, the company has grown from a single small confectionery to one of the leading regional supermarket chains
- Schnucks is committed to service excellence and putting customers first, with a focus on being friendly and courteous to all customers
Company Specialties:
- Grocery retail
- Supermarket operations
- Customer service
- Community engagement
Company Website: http://www.schnucks.com
ASSUMPTION: Schnucks is a well-established, family-owned supermarket retailer with a strong presence in the Midwest. The company is committed to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer service.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Director
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications and oversees a team of communication and strategic engagement professionals
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote per week
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a Vice President or Chief Communications Officer role
- Expansion of responsibilities based on the company's growth and changing needs
- Opportunities to mentor and develop team members, fostering career growth within the department
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the company and expand their responsibilities over time.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment with traditional office equipment and supplies
Office Location(s): Schnucks Store Support Center (Corporate Office), St. Louis, Missouri
Geographic Context:
- St. Louis, Missouri, is the largest city in the state and the second-largest in the Midwest
- The city is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and diverse neighborhoods
- St. Louis offers a mix of urban and suburban living options, with a variety of housing and entertainment choices
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, with some flexibility for on-call work during crisis situations
ASSUMPTION: The corporate office environment offers a professional and collaborative work setting, with opportunities for growth and development within the company.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications
- Final interview with key stakeholders
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans
- Leadership skills and ability to manage and mentor a team
- Crisis management skills and ability to handle high-pressure situations
- Understanding of the retail or grocery industry and Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives, and how your skills and experience align with the company's needs
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication, leadership, and crisis management skills
ATS Keywords: Strategic communications, public relations, crisis management, internal communications, team leadership, budget management, KPI development, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, organizational skills, writing skills, editing skills
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's communication, leadership, and crisis management skills, as well as their understanding of the retail or grocery industry and Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
- HTML coding and digital graphics production tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in content management systems, HTML coding, and digital graphics production tools, as well as familiarity with media monitoring and analytics tools and project management software.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer focus
- Integrity
- Respect
- Teamwork
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on achieving measurable goals
- Adaptable and able to handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of success in developing and executing strategic communication plans?
- Are you able to build productive relationships with internal and external constituents, and maintain a consistent narrative and message structure?
- Can you handle high-pressure situations and exercise sound judgment in crisis management situations?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should possess strong communication, leadership, and crisis management skills, as well as a collaborative and results-driven work style that aligns with Schnucks' company values.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Handling high-pressure situations and crisis management scenarios
- Adapting to changes in the retail or grocery industry and Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives
- Balancing the needs of internal and external stakeholders while maintaining a consistent narrative and message structure
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong project management, communication, leadership, and crisis management skills, as well as the ability to adapt to changes and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Similar roles in other industries may have different reporting structures and work arrangements
- This role may have more responsibility for crisis management and internal communications than similar roles in other industries
- Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a Vice President or Chief Communications Officer role within the company
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications and public relations roles, it also presents unique challenges and opportunities specific to the retail or grocery industry and Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communication plan to launch a new Schnucks store location
- Managing media relations and crisis communications during a product recall or other high-pressure situation
- Overseeing internal communication efforts to engage employees during a company-wide restructuring or organizational change
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that this role may present, requiring strong communication, leadership, and crisis management skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's current communication strategies and how this role will contribute to their evolution?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and senior leadership to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company's communication efforts, and how can this role address them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its communication team members?
- What is the company's approach to crisis management, and how can this role contribute to its effectiveness?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of Schnucks' communication strategies, their ability to collaborate with other departments and senior leadership, and their capacity to address the challenges facing the company's communication efforts.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your communication, leadership, and crisis management skills
- Research Schnucks' corporate goals and objectives, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's needs
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
