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Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Media Relations, the Director of Internal Communications provides strategic leadership in shaping and guiding internal communication strategies that unify and reinforce the College’s brand, culture, and goals. This role ensures collaboration across the College, working closely with leadership to shape executive communications, manage crisis response, and maintain cohesive, aligned messaging for internal audiences. The Director also fosters innovative communication approaches that enhance employee engagement and support institutional objectives while ensuring alignment with the College’s strategic vision through cross-functional collaboration and process refinement.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive internal communication strategies that align with the College’s brand, culture, and goals, ensuring engaging and effective messaging across all internal audiences.
• Translate organizational strategies into cohesive internal communication plans that drive staff engagement and alignment with College values in partnership with Marketing and Communications leadership.
• Create content in collaboration with senior leadership for strategic executive-level communications, shaping key messages from the Office of the President and ensuring cohesive and effective issue management and crisis response.
• Oversee the creation, implementation, and management of internal communication content and platforms, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Establish streamlined processes, protocols, and templates to ensure cohesion and efficiency across internal communication efforts.
• Leverage data analytics to assess and optimize communication strategies, improving message delivery and staff engagement in collaboration with key departments.
• Direct the strategic planning and distribution of internal newsletters, maintaining a communications calendar that reflects College priorities.
• Primary advisor to campus communicators, offering guidance on optimal communication strategies and internal messaging for key audiences.
• Drive high-level content development for major announcements and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment and accuracy in internal communications.
• Lead innovative internal communication approaches to support staff engagement, inclusion, and connection to College values.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment between internal and external messaging, maintaining coherence across platforms.
• Engage staff through roundtables and listening tours, integrating feedback into actionable communication strategies.
• Direct internal communication for key projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Recommend creative communication solutions that reach diverse internal audiences, driving innovation in internal communications.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

• A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. A combination of education and relevant experience, such as a journalism background, may also be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in internal communications, including at least 5 years in a leadership role, is required.
• Proven experience in executive-level internal communications and managing high-impact announcements is highly desired.
• Experience in higher education communications is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• Flexibility, excellence, and commitment to the work are vital qualities for this position.
• Ability to interact with a varied population of internal partners at a high level of integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with colleagues at all levels, paying close attention to detail.
• Ability to convey information clearly and with respect and tact.
• Excellent writing and fact-checking skills; ability to develop compelling and concise material within tight deadlines.
• Experience managing internal communications functions.
• Strategic problem-solving abilities with a focus on creating content aligned with institutional objectives.
• Familiarity with or experience working in higher education institutions.
• Experience handling multiple projects simultaneously and aligning with colleagues on priorities. Adaptability and flexibility in both direct responsibilities and collaborative work.
• Willingness to take ownership of the quality and outcomes of institutional communications needs.
• Experience providing clients with strategic counsel.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Work may involve extended periods at a desk or computer.
• Must be able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• May require occasional travel for meetings or events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Office environment

Disclaimer: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.  Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.

The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy.

Compensation: $87,300.00 - $109,200.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: S-23-11E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division: Division of Marketing and Communications

This position will be exclusively represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 888 for purposes of wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.