How will your role impact First Command?
The Director of Internal Communications is an experienced and strong leader who works closely with senior executives across the enterprise (corporate and field offices) to create and implement a strategic, multi-faceted internal communications program designed to build and strengthen the firm’s voice to our internal community. This person establishes themselves as a trusted communications consultant and serves as a key ambassador for the First Command brand, ensuring that all internal communications are consistent with the mission and values. It is essential for this individual to earn the trust of leaders and communicators, establishing themselves as a reliable communications consultant through sound guidance, effective planning and proficient writing. This leader thrives in a collaborative, decentralized environment in which he or she can lead colleagues and work with peers from diverse backgrounds and responsibilities to deliver key organizational news and information that serves to build and strengthen the entire community. The ideal candidate recognizes the power of engaging an internal community during periods of both transformative change and relative stability and will develop high-quality strategies and platforms designed to engage the internal community. The Director of Internal Communications will be a creative and collaborative partner with strong listening and communication skills that effectively engage others in the important work of fulfilling First Command’s mission.
What will you do in this role?
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with First Command’s Executive and Field leadership teams, partnering with them to develop and implement strategic internal communications that support the organization’s mission, values, and brand identity.
- Develops and fosters collaborative relationships with other departments within the organization—based on open and two-way communications—to stay informed of new initiatives and provide communications support for change management, culture-building and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrates exceptional project planning, management and leadership skills by keeping stakeholders, and leadership informed and engaged throughout the process, including managing the monthly ELT corporate communications calendar.
- Leads the internal communications team to ensure all work meets high standards of quality, accuracy, and clarity, is well-written, gains necessary approvals, and adheres to team, department, and company standards, including compliance requirements. Provides guidance and mentorship to foster professional growth, collaboration, and alignment with the organization’s mission and brand.
- Facilitates an increased, consistent exchange of information and alignment of efforts with our field leaders to optimize planning and outreach.
- Provides internal communications expertise, advising a broad range of internal constituents on the most effective and efficient methods of achieving their communications goals.
- Oversees the design and development of all internal communications materials and programs which must effectively and efficiently deliver value in a transparent and truthful manner.
- Plans and produces company-wide meetings and broadcasts
- Leverages internal resources to ensure timely delivery of internal communications materials and campaigns in the most effective manner.
- Evaluates results of internal communications initiatives to identify additional opportunities and/or determine deficiencies to continuously improve the performance of all communications initiativesand, ultimately, institutionalize best practices.
- Partners with department heads across the scope of First Command’s business to support their communications needs and drive clarity and defined outcomes for a wide range of communications initiatives.
- Quickly earns the trust of leaders and communicators, establishing themselves as a reliable communications consultant through sound guidance, effective planning, and proficient writing.
Who will you lead?
- Directs the assignments and outputs of the Internal Communications staff, providing strategic guidance, performance reviews, approvals on work products to ensure quality and accuracy, and opportunities for growth and professional development.In addition, he/she must lead small to medium-sized project teams in a highly-matrixed environment to accomplish major communications projects and initiatives.
What skills/qualifications do you need?
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field required
Work Experience
- At least 10 years of Internal/Employee/Corporate Communications experience
Certifications
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Self-starter and team player with ability to multi-task
- Strong listening and problem-solving skills
- Effective in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
- Strong project management skills
- Trusted with sensitive information handled with the highest level of confidentiality
- Understanding and awareness of employee engagement and change management strategies and methodologies
- Strong writing ability with a proven track record of distilling complex operational, administrative, and financial topics into clear, concise communications tailored for diverse audiences.
- Excellent editing skills with the ability to understand complex operational, administrative, and financial topics, while offering clear and tactful guidance to subject matter experts on how to effectively communicate with the intended audience.
- Demonstrated competency in strategy and plan development
- Proficiency in MS office, SharePoint experience desired, intranet-development experience, comfort with digital technology and familiar with communications tools
- Experience coaching, supervising, and managing a team with direct reporting relationships.
- Knowledge of financial products and services, such as banking, investments, insurance, retirement planning, and wealth management is desired
- Knowledge of the U.S. military (prior military service is a plus, and a passion for service members and military families is essential)
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