Corporate Communications Leader

Position Summary

The Corporate Communications Leader is a strategic role within Human Resources, based in Neenah, and operates in a hybrid work environment. This leader shapes and delivers communication strategies that strengthen associate engagement, support key business initiatives, and elevate the company’s employment brand. Reporting directly to the Executive VP of HR, the role offers high visibility and meaningful influence on how the company communicates with its associates.

As a trusted partner to executive leadership, this role provides clear, consistent messaging that helps associates understand the company's vision, priorities, and transformation efforts. The ideal candidate brings strong strategic thinking, effective strong storytelling, and the ability to influence communication across a complex, dynamic organization.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Corporate Communications: Works closely with the Executive Leadership Team on enterprise-wide corporate communications with strategies focused on increasing employee engagement and advancing the company's purpose, mission, and strategy. This includes:
  •    Assist the CEO with communications, including preparing communications for the Board of Directors
  •    Lead coordination and creation of communication plans regarding HRS initiatives
  •    Collaborate with marketing for press releases or media contacts
  •    Support leaders with department-wide communication initiatives and proactively anticipate need for and advise on change management communications
• Employment  Branding: Serves as a driving force in building our employer brand and giving it a strong, distinctive, and consistent voice both internally and externally.
  •    Partner with HR Services, Marketing, and Executive teams on effective communications that attract an engaged workforce to align with Talent Acquisition initiatives, including corporate applications/awards, social  media (leveraging and monitoring), and other employment-related platforms. 
  •    Establishes internal guidelines, such as email signatures, in accordance with Corporate Brand Guidelines. 
  •    Acts as a champion throughout the organization by creating opportunities for all associates to learn how to best promote J. J. Keller as an Employer of Choice.
• Internal Communications & Employment Engagement
  •    Planning employee-focused events
  •    Communicating company-wide activities
  •    Managing special recognition (Veteran’s Day, etc.)
  •    Facilitate company-wide update meetings      
  •    Manage the company's intranet site

• Community Relations
  •    Lead the JJKA &JJKF Charitable Steering Committee.
  •    Collaborate with the foundation executive director to promote associate-facing programs offered by the foundation.
  •    Act as point person for associate volunteerism and community involvement initiatives.
• Reputation Management (relating to general corporate affairs and employment branding)
  •    Lead initiatives connected to protecting the company's public image, issues management, and crisis communications. 
  •    Lead the external PR agency in crisis communication planning and execution and responds to social media issues
  •    Prepare spokespeople; develop media kits, FAQs, and briefing documents.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in a Communications related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in internal communications
• Experience managing and executing executive communications strategy
• Experience working with media contacts
• Experience with overseeing and adhering to budget
• Experience with change management and related processes
• Experience with basic graphic design tools
• High-level proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms, including FB,LI, X, etc

Other Skills/Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, featuring strong composition skills (i.e., audience appropriate, succinct and clear in content) and detail orientation (e.g., proofreading and editing skills).
• Employs sound judgment as to what to communicate to whom, as well as the identification of the best delivery methods.
• Established track record for creating content from start to finish (or from concept through completed product).

Physical Requirements

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for extended periods of time.