Vice President, Internal Communications, City Year

Posted by City Year on July 21, 2020

As a multi-state non-profit operating with a distributed leadership model, City Year requires effective internal communication practices to be integral to our success. Our 1,000 staff and 3,000 AmeriCorps members rely on our ability to share information using the right channels, messaging and timing. We are seeking our first Vice President, Internal Communications to develop a new and innovative internal communications strategy to support our staff and AmeriCorps members. As a member of City Year’s Human Performance (HR) team, the VP, Internal Communications is a key partner to our headquarters’ departments and plays a critical role by developing and delivering impactful communication.

This leader will partner with organizational leaders to understand communication needs and develop content, messaging, and materials across various channels to support these needs.  By developing strategies and key messages that reinforce our values and policies, the VP, Internal Communications will support the organization’s goal to deliver important context and information for our staff and corps to be effective in their roles and promote open two-way communication. The ideal candidate is someone who values the role that clear, engaging, and consistent messaging plays in both organizational success and building a culture of inclusivity and belonging.  The VP, Internal Communications reports directly to the Chief Human Performance Officer.

The location of the role is flexible.

Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Internal Communications Strategy and Execution

In this role, you will develop and lead an internal communication vision and strategy that will not only provide our AmeriCorps members and staff information needed to lead, perform, and collaborate effectively in their jobs, but also build a strong and inclusive culture.   As a key partner to multiple departments, you will seek to understand communication needs and prioritize initiatives based on alignment to organizational goals and level of impact.

Innovate Communication Strategies: You will use your experience in tailoring effective messaging to a broad and diverse audience with an emphasis on the Gen Z population to build connections and innovate communication methods, including but not limited to multimedia communication (video, podcasts, etc.) and social media platforms to be used internally but with the potential for external leverage.  Currently, City Year relies heavily on e-mail communication but also uses Marketo, SharePoint, and virtual and in-person conferences to share information and dialogue.

Streamline Two-Way Information Sharing: City Year currently has multiple communication senders, channels, and methods, and through thorough assessments, you’ll streamline and optimize our channels to promote and distribute messaging to ensure they are clear and heard by our staff and corps.  You will play a lead role in supporting our national headquarters’ effort to deliver information and promote two-way communication between headquarters and our local 29 sites. In addition, you’ll work with various departments to develop additional opportunities for two-way communication, including town halls.

Support Internal Communication Campaigns: You and your team will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing communication content and materials in partnership with headquarters departments to further key initiatives and projects, support change management, and reflect our dynamic culture.   In partnership with our external Marketing and Communications team, you’ll coordinate and align on strategies to ensure that communications are clear, engaging and consistent with the organization’s values and brand.

Lead Knowledge Management: You will collaborate with Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, and other department leaders to lead a knowledge management strategy to house information once communicated and ensure staff and corps know where to find it.

Center Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity: As someone who possesses strong knowledge and ability to communicate through an equitable lens, you will ensure that our internal communications embody inclusive and anti-oppressive language to support our anti-racist aspirations. You will also partner with the Equity Office and Marketing and Communications who will provide support and guidance to align on current language.

Advise Senior Leadership and Create Written Communication: As a strong writer, you will serve as a key partner to the senior leadership team to execute critical internal communications initiatives and communications on behalf of senior leadership team (e.g., town halls, office hours, newsletters), including drafting key communications for and providing guidance to the CEO.

Monitor effectiveness: To evaluate effectiveness of communications plans, messages, and channels, you will also develop and assess metrics and share findings with leadership team.  You will anticipate employee responses and provide expert counsel to continuously improve how information gets shared and develop a culture of open and honest two-way communication.

In addition to our staff and AmeriCorps members, our audiences include alumni, donors, and board members, each with its own communication strategies. You will collaborate with the respective teams leading those to ensure alignment and capitalize on efforts when possible.

Team Leadership  

All teams deserve great managers, and in this role you will directly lead, manage, and grow a team of communications professionals. Initially, you will be the sole member of the internal communications function, but there will be opportunity to grow the team. You’ll create a collaborative, team-based and inclusive environment where the staff are supported to be engaged members and achieve their individual and organizational goals. You will also represent, respect and role model City Year organizational culture and values daily as a member of City Year’s national leadership.

Learn more and apply: https://cityyear.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CityYear/job/Flexible/Vice-President–Internal-Communications_R4448