Description:
JCPenney, one of nation's largest apparel and home furnishings retailers, combines an expansive footprint of approximately 875 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful e-commerce site, jcp.com, to connect shoppers how, when and where they prefer to shop. At every customer touchpoint, she will get her Penney’s worth of a broad assortment of products from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Powering this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of over 100,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company’s three strategic priorities of strengthening private brands, becoming a world-class omnichannel retailers and increasing revenue per customer. We're looking for motivated, talented individuals who can emerge as Warriors in our organization.
Position Summary:
The Corporate Communications & Public Relations team is responsible for communicating the Company’s strategic vision, elevating the perception of JCPenney by highlighting how the retailer is accelerating its turnaround and creating shareholder value. This position will report to the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications & Public Relations and will be responsible for supporting external communications in the following areas:
• Communicating the Women’s apparel and accessories merchandise strategy, the Company’s largest business, underscoring the retailer’s key private brand business, exclusive brand partnerships and assortment of top national brands.
• Ensuring the Company gets credit for its omnichannel efforts, with a focus on the JCPenney mobile app, the retailer’s flexible shipping/fulfillment options and expansion of merchandise categories on jcp.com;
• Showcasing how the retailer’s marketing, branding and promotional efforts are helping JCPenney increase revenue per customer; and
• Highlighting the Company’s philanthropic initiatives through The JCPenney Foundation by generating awareness of the retailer’s signature partnership with the Y as well as the Company’s efforts in supporting breast cancer awareness and our country’s military/veterans and their families.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Serve as a company spokesperson
• Contribute to the creation of communication plans
• Develop messaging and write and distribute press releases and media alerts
• Field and evaluate incoming media requests and delegate accordingly
• Media outreach support, particularly around key shopping periods
• Help in preparing and facilitating executive interviews
• Assist in securing and vetting thought leadership/speaking opportunities for company executives
• Create comprehensive media reports measuring coverage and its effectiveness
• Maintain and update the Company’s online newsroom
• Contribute to @jcpnews, the retailer’s corporate Twitter handle, and the Company’s corporate blog
• Build and maintain relationships with business partners to stay abreast of company news, attending weekly or bi-weekly meetings as needed
• Ensure stores are informed of media activities through appropriate and approved communication channel
• Oversee vendor relationships and organize associated expenses and contacts
• Foster a collaborative working environment among all team members through information sharing and open communication
Qualifications:
Core Competencies & Accomplishments:
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations or related discipline
• 3-5 years of experience working in corporate or brand communications – either agency and/ or corporate PR department. Prior experience in the retail or consumer-focused industry a plus.
• Strong, proven writing skills, utilizing AP style grammar for writing press releases, editorials, blogs, etc.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and awareness of delivering messaging and official company comments to members of the media on behalf of a publicly traded company
• Possesses clear ability to manage multiple projects at once while demonstrating exceptional composure and flexibility under tight deadlines.
• Proficient knowledge of MS Office applications, including fast typing abilities with minimal errors.
Our corporate office, located within the exciting new development of Legacy West in Plano, Texas, supports JCPenney stores and supply chain facilities nationwide. We offer a competitive benefits package including medical/dental/vision, term life insurance, paid vacation/holidays, 401(k) Savings Plan with company match, and an associate discount on JCPenney merchandise. On-site campus amenities include: free garage parking, full cafeteria services, Subway, Starbucks coffee, Walgreen’s pharmacy and onsite Bright Horizons daycare and preschool, Concentra health clinic and a 24-hour fitness center.
Application Instructions:
apply online at the JCpennys webiste, or
http://jobs.jobvite.com/jcp/job/ozZQ5fwd