Purpose of Job:

The Communications Manager leads a team in providing communication expertise and support to designated business units. The role serves as a consultant to business unit leaders to shape and integrate communication objectives and strategies that help achieve enterprise initiatives and business goals.  Serves as a key player on the business unit and communication leadership teams, ensuring alignment to business objectives.  The position supports the internal communications goal to inform and engage internal stakeholders through exceptional communications, which strengthens our culture, advances our business and protects our brand.

Job Components:

• Steer communication strategy planning within (and across) business units, including development of key messages for leadership.

• Manage resources to plan, implement and analyze strategic communication initiatives to support business unit priorities and programs. 

• Participate on cross-functional project teams by recommending communication objectives and strategies to achieve goals.

• Guide channel development and develops content with a clear understanding of business alignment and identifies opportunities to leverage it across business units and/or the enterprise.

• Counsel business unit executives on development of key messages and coaches on effective message delivery.

• Contribute to crisis communication plans, corporate reputation plans, and community relations efforts.

• Contribute to annual budget and planning process for communications team.

• Lead development of communication standards in policies, processes, and tools for the business units and the communications team.

• As a member of the communications team, ensure relevance, consistency, integration, alignment, and appropriate timing of messages across business units and the organization.

• Responsible for overall effectiveness of communication related to specific functional areas and initiatives.

• Spearhead execution of communication campaigns for business units and enterprise.

• Identify and ensure production, ongoing maintenance, and evaluation communication channels for business units and the enterprise as appropriate.

• Support planning and development of communications for organizational changes and specific organizational events.

• Lead a team of individuals in a high performing culture, driving growth and development.

• Build collaborative relationships across business units and the company to promote key initiatives, identify communication opportunities, and foster collaboration and mutual support.

• Maintain quality and timely production of business unit and enterprise materials.

• Participate in all appropriate business unit meetings, events and functions.

• Study communication trends and recommend new techniques to share news and information in ways that engage and inspire stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, journalism or related field.

• 8-10 years’ experience in corporate communications with progressively increasing responsibilities managing communications projects and teams.

• Experience managing professional staff. 

• Proven ability to formulate communication strategies, execute plans and evaluate the results.

• Exceptional communication skills with experience in writing a variety of materials, including communication plans, talking points, speeches, features, online content, promotional copy, etc.

• Ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines and manage several projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.

• Strong interpersonal skills and success advising and building relationships with leaders and stakeholders across all levels of the organization, external agencies and partners.

• Collaborative team leader who works as “Player-Coach” for communications team.

• Demonstrated ability to set and manage priorities, resources, goals, and project initiatives.

• Experience with crisis communications and issues management.

• Creative thinker for problem solving and process improvement.

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Work Environment:

• Ability to sustain posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time

• Regularly required to use hands to grasp or handle, and talk and hear

• Specific vision abilities include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move 20+ lbs.