Senior Manager, Marketing Communications

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Marketing Communications is responsible for helping to build and sustain Harbor Freight’s overall brand and reputation, as well as our tool brands’ reputation, in the marketplace. Working collaboratively with senior leadership, this Senior Manager will develop and implement marketing communication strategies and messages that reflect the company’s core principles. This Senior Manager will manage our public relations strategy and the tactical execution of activities that support the needs of the company. Accordingly, this role is not focused on generating press for the company and its leaders, but rather is focused on supporting product launches, generating communications relating to the value that we deliver to our customers, and extending our brand-building efforts.
The Senior Manager, Marketing Communications will also define the voice of Harbor Freight to help ensure consistency in execution. In addition to managing the Public Relations staff within Marketing, this Senior Manager will also provide indirect guidance to other teams with content development responsibilities (including but not limited to Digital Marketing, Brand Marketing, Product Marketing, Social Media, E-Commerce, Merchandising, Copywriting, and Corporate Communications).

Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and execute communication and public relations strategies that support brand and marketing communications.  
Build and maintain positive professional relationships with various members of the media.     
Act as a company spokesperson and respond to members of the media in a timely manner.    
In partnerships with key stakeholders within and beyond Marketing, define the voice of Harbor Freight and integrate with the existing organization’s processes to ensure all communications reflect that voice.            
Coordinate and fulfill media requests for product, and proactively identify media outlets to facilitate product reviews.     
Define the content strategy for the Corporate Newsroom and set the standard for and review press releases as needed.      
Assist Marketing leadership in developing presentations, speeches, and other corporate messages; write communications coming from Harbor Freight’s executive leaders as requested.         
Stay current on the competitive landscape and their communication strategies to ensure Harbor Freight’s message and approach remain fresh and relevant.            
Monitor and maintain a database of earned media coverage and use data where appropriate to measure the effectiveness of our approach.      
Serve as coach and mentor to other content development resources across Harbor Freight to help develop their abilities.     

Scope
Staff supervision and development:  Yes
Decision making:  Creates policy, implements policy, and resolves problems
Travel:  Up to 10%
Flex Designation:  Anywhere

Requirements

Education and Experience

Education Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Communications, English, Journalism or a similar field.

Years of Experience
Minimum 7 years in a communications role, preferably in public relations, media, or brand messaging

Skills
Ability to develop and execute communication strategies with impact at all levels of organization and across all customer segments
Strong understanding of retail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Superior creativity and creative skills
Proven innovative thinker
Anticipates, manages, and adapts to change
Proactive, organized, and detail-oriented
Operates collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment
Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals

Physical Requirements
General office environment requiring ability to:
Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time.
Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

Safety
Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.

About Harbor Freight Tools

We’re a 45 year-old, $8 billion national tool retailer with the energy, enthusiasm, and growth potential of a start-up. We have over 1,500 stores in 48 states across the country and are opening several new locations every week. We offer our customers more than 7,000 tools and accessories, from hand tools and generators to air and power tools, from shop equipment to automotive tools. We provide our customers with the right tool for the right job at the right price, always delivering quality and value.
 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $133,600 – $200,200 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.