Corporate Communications Specialist - Kuraray America

Title: Corporate Communications Specialist

Location: Houston, TX

Who we are:

Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 31 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 900 in the United States.

Why Kuraray:

Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic Corporate Communications Specialist to join our team. This individual will play a pivotal role in both internal and external communications, supporting our mission to cultivate a Great Place to Work culture, enhance our brand reputation, attract top talent, and engage with our community. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills, a strategic mindset, and a passion for fostering positive employee experiences and brand advocacy.

This is a hybrid role coming 1-2 days to our HQ office in Houston, TX.

Responsibilities:

Internal Communication:

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies to support our Great Place to Work culture and enhance the employee experience across all stages of the talent lifecycle, from recruitment to offboarding.
• Create engaging content for various internal communication channels, including newsletters, intranet, email communications, and town hall meetings.
• Collaborate with HR and other departments to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals.
• Monitor feedback and metrics to continuously improve internal communication initiatives.

External Communications:

• Manage social media communications to attract top talent and promote our brand identity as an employer of choice.
• Support senior leadership in preparing for interviews, magazine features, and news articles by providing strategic messaging and talking points.
• Write, edit, and partner with media outlets to develop compelling external communications materials.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities for brand positioning and differentiation.

Community Engagement:

• Represent the company at community events, fostering meaningful relationships with stakeholders and driving employee engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify and support community initiatives aligned with our corporate values and objectives.
• Ensure active participation and engagement of employees and leaders at community events to enhance brand visibility and reputation.

Crisis Communications:

• Serve as a key member of the crisis communications team, providing timely and effective communication during emergencies or crisis situations.
• Draft and distribute statements for media outlets, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with organizational messaging.
• Assist in developing crisis communication plans and protocols to mitigate risks and protect the company's reputation.

Global Projects:

• Support and participate in global projects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
• Three to five years of proven experience in corporate communications, with a focus on internal and external communication strategies.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences and channels.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms and best practices for employer branding and recruitment marketing.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience in crisis communication management and media relations is preferred.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and addressing challenges.
• Commitment to upholding the company's values and promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar systems.
• Working knowledge of SharePoint and WordPress
• Ability to influence multiple stakeholders and facilitate agreement on key initiatives.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills
• Proficiency in full Microsoft Office suite, especially with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Candidates must have a valid driver's license.

Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively
  • Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Business Insight
  • Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Customer Focus
  • Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions.
• Cultivates Innovation
  • Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Situational Adaptability
  • Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Ensures Accountability
  • Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Collaborates
  • Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Instills Trust
  • Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Courage
  • Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Drives Results
  • Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances.
• Action Oriented
  • Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Values Differences
  • Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

We provide a comprehensive compensation package comprising base salary and an annual incentive, designed to recognize individual achievements and align rewards with both corporate and team performance.

Our employees benefit from a robust healthcare package that includes wellness reimbursements, along with generous perks such as three weeks of paid time off, ten company holidays, paid parental leave, education reimbursement, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Please apply online at: http://www.kuraray.us.com/careers/

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status

No third party candidates accepted.