What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Communications position at Tom Thumb Supermarket?
Position Purpose
Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Division President, with a dotted line to the Corporate Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs and the Senior Vice President of Government Relations, the Director of Public Affairs is responsible for proactively positioning and promoting the division’s banners. This includes developing and implementing targeted communication and event strategies for internal and external audiences such as employees, media, elected officials, community organizations and key opinion leaders.
This role oversees Government Relations, Charitable Contributions and Public Relations, with additional oversight of Internal Communications.
Key Responsibilities
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work expected for this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties or required skills.
Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Division President, with a dotted line to the Corporate Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs and the Senior Vice President of Government Relations, the Director of Public Affairs is responsible for proactively positioning and promoting the division’s banners. This includes developing and implementing targeted communication and event strategies for internal and external audiences such as employees, media, elected officials, community organizations and key opinion leaders.
This role oversees Government Relations, Charitable Contributions and Public Relations, with additional oversight of Internal Communications.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct all media, government and community relations programs for stores across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
- Serve as the division’s lead spokesperson and collaborate with Corporate Communications to develop media outreach and engagement strategies.
- Manage media relations supporting both business and charitable initiatives; advise division leadership on media inquiries; act as primary company spokesperson.
- Oversee state and local government relations by partnering with regulatory agencies, industry groups and lobbyists to advance key legislative priorities.
- Execute government affairs plans supporting division initiatives; track local legislation; participate in relevant trade association activities.
- Administer all division donation programs, including the Albertsons Companies Foundation (Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb) and the general donations budget.
- Develop fundraising programs for hunger relief, education, health and human services and support for individuals with disabilities through the Albertsons Companies Foundation.
- Coordinate division events such as new store openings, the annual Store Managers’ Meeting and other assigned events.
- Develop store and district-level charitable strategies; identify community events that reinforce the division’s position as the preferred food and drug retailer.
- Identify opportunities for positive public positioning through partnerships with local charitable organizations and media initiatives.
- Manage strategic charitable programs, including point-of-sale fundraising and event sponsorships; oversee the division’s charitable donations review process.
- Partner with local organizations that support store communities and create opportunities for employee involvement in charitable activities based on store leadership feedback.
- Develop written communications including quarterly newsletters, labor updates and web content for both internal and public audiences.
- Prepare letters, speeches, talking points and other communications for the Division President.
- Manage highly sensitive customer relations issues and oversee the general public affairs function, including the department’s administrative assistant.
- Develop and execute external communications plans that support banner leadership priorities as well as marketing and merchandising efforts.
- Provide guidance to other divisions with significant ABS/SWY brand mixes regarding Public Relations strategies in multi-branded districts.
- Partner with divisions to understand employee issues and needs, ensuring communication materials address key perceptions and questions.
- Publish division blogs and news releases to the banner’s newsroom.
- Serve as the division’s LERT communications contact and participate in emergency response planning.
- Support the execution of the corporate communications strategic plan as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in Journalism, Communications or Business.
- 5–7 years of public relations experience.
- Experience with state and local government relations, including legislative and regulatory processes.
- Proven media relations experience; ability to represent the company in print and broadcast media.
- Experience in community relations, donation budget management and organizing fundraising activities.
- Experience executing fundraising programs and developing partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
- Strong publication writing, editing and design skills.
- Strong negotiation, problem-solving and decision‑making capabilities.
- Supervisory and staff management experience.
- Excellent oral communication skills; ability to represent the company in various forums.
- Outstanding written communication skills.
- Ability to travel approximately 15–20% of the time.
- Work performed primarily in a temperature‑controlled office environment.
- Extended sitting may be required at a desk or computer workstation.
- Regular use of office equipment including calculators, keyboards and telephones.
- Occasional stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be needed to complete job duties.
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work expected for this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties or required skills.