Communications Manager

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.

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 develop 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.
• 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.
• Able 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.