Vice President, Internal Communications

Overview Of Position

The Vice President, Internal Communications & Leadership Enablement is responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and operating model for internal communications across the organization. This role defines how communication drives organizational alignment, leadership effectiveness, and enterprise-wide execution. The VP is accountable for building the system—establishing governance, prioritization, and standards that enable the internal communications team to deliver high-impact communications at scale. This leader serves as a senior advisor to executive leadership, shaping not only how the organization communicates, but how decisions are framed, aligned, and activated across the enterprise.

In all responsibilities, the position demonstrates a strong commitment to ESSC’s mission and values by supporting a high-quality, person-centered service environment.

Essential Functions

• Defines the enterprise internal communications strategy aligned to organizational priorities.
• Establishes the operating model, governance, and decision rights for internal communications.
• Sets clear priorities and tradeoffs to ensure focus on the highest-impact work.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to the leadership team on communication and alignment.
• Shapes how priorities, changes, and decisions are communicated across the organization.
• Influences leadership behavior to improve clarity, consistency, and transparency.
• Owes the design of the enterprise communication cascade and alignment model.
• Ensures leaders are aligned before communications are deployed.
• Drives consistency of messaging across functions and service lines.
• Defines the strategy for building leadership communication capability across the organization.
• Ensures leaders are equipped to communicate effectively without overreliance on internal communications.
• Leads a team of 3–4 direct reports (Director + Comms Partners structure + Coordinator).
• Sets performance standards and ensures clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Buys a high-performing, business-aligned internal communications function.
• Defines success metrics tied to alignment, adoption, and leadership effectiveness.
• Uses insights to continuously refine the strategy and operating model.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communication, Business, or related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in internal or corporate communications leadership.
• Experience advising senior executives and influencing organizational decisions.
• Proven ability to design and lead communication strategies in complex organizations.
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, or mission-driven environments is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strategic thinking and operating model design.
• Executive influence and advisory.
• Organizational systems thinking.
• Leadership capability building.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Smartsheet experience preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain compliance with privacy requirements.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly proactive and autonomous, with experience meeting deadlines and balancing competing priorities, developing and managing strategic plans and administering budgets.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation, per ESSC and/or program requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Carrying/Lifting: Occasional / Up to 30 lbs.
• Standing: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
• Sitting: Frequent / Up to 8 hours per day.
• Walking: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
• Travel: Travel to Easterseals So Cal locations and events, as needed.
• Repetitive Motion/Activity: Frequent keyboarding and writing.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to view computer monitors or handheld electronic devices and read printed materials.