The Internal Communications Manager will design and execute a comprehensive internal communications program for Hebrew SeniorLife, with the goal of informing, celebrating, and equipping employees as ambassadors in support of organizational engagement, retention, and recruitment goals. The position will work collaboratively with colleagues in human resources, health care, senior living, and marketing and communications to create and implement a plan that engages employees, aligns with Hebrew SeniorLife’s cultural beliefs and employee value proposition, and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The manager will be a persuasive storyteller, skilled writer, and strategic thinker. They will work to understand the needs and voice of the employee and adjust communications accordingly. They will serve as an internal communications consultant to teams across the organization, and ensure that messaging is aligned across locations and business entities. They will adjust tactics based on the diverse needs of the employee base. This position reports to the Senior Director of Communications and Content, in a hybrid role that includes travel to Hebrew SeniorLife campuses in Greater Boston as necessary.

Responsibilities

Communications Planning and Execution

• Partner with the Senior Director, Communications and Content; Chief People Officer; Senior HR Operations Specialist; and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive annual internal communications calendar that aligns with key organizational priorities and activities

  • Maintain the calendar throughout the year to align all internal communications

• Create and execute work plans for annual internal initiatives such as Employee Week, flu shot campaigns, Top Places to Work surveys and announcements, open enrollment, Employee Service Awards, Salute to Nurses, and more; and one-time HR initiatives

  • Serve as project manager

  • Partner with internal stakeholders to understand needs and develop messaging

  • Create print and online materials, including copywriting

  • Manage external design and print vendors

  • Partner with communications and marketing colleagues as necessary to share content in vehicles such as the employee newsletter and intranet

  • Ensure deadlines are adhered to

• Serve as an internal communications consultant for human resources (including the benefits and wellness team), professional development, occupational health, individual site leadership, and other Hebrew SeniorLife departments; review and/or edit materials for internal distribution; ensure brand guidelines are adhered to

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Project Manager and Web Content Coordinator to optimize the use of Hebrew SeniorLife’s intranet

• Serve as the communications representative on internal committees, including the Age Friendly Oversight Committee, Employee Week Committee, and Policy Committee

  • Create and distribute quarterly policy report

  • Advise committees on internal communications strategies to advance their work

  • Determine when, where, and how to report on committee activities to employees

  • Ensure timing of communications aligns with other organizational efforts and priorities

• Seek new ways to reach employees with a wide variety of needs and skills, ensuring all Hebrew SeniorLife employees are informed and engaged with the organization’s goals and priorities

• Participate in crisis communications response as it relates to employees

Content Creation

• Create profiles of employees to be used in a variety of channels, including internal communications, social media, recruitment marketing, fundraising, family communications, and more.

  • Identify employees with compelling stories about their connection to Hebrew SeniorLife, professional growth, accomplishments and awards, or relationships with patients/residents

  • Ensure stories represent the full range of Hebrew SeniorLife programs, services, locations, and employee functions; showcase the diversity of our staff; and bring our cultural beliefs to life

  • Maintain open communication with editorial board colleagues about planned content

  • Use mediums including photography and video to support storytelling, partnering with outside photographers and videographers as necessary

• Participate in editorial planning for Hebrew SeniorLife’s biweekly employee email newsletter, The Insider, and contribute content as necessary

• As a member of Hebrew SeniorLife’s internal editorial board, contribute to the editorial calendar, adhere to deadlines, looking for opportunities to repurpose existing content, and review metrics to understand what content performs successfully in order to shape story ideas and tactics that engage employees

Employee Engagement

• Develop relationships at all levels of the organization to keep a pulse on employee sentiment and upcoming initiatives, and use that information to inform communications planning and messaging

• Develop a team of internal communications ambassadors and advisors from all Hebrew SeniorLife locations to:

  • Advise on organization-wide efforts

  • Customize communications for individual sites

  • Ensure organizational messaging is being disseminated locally

  • Serve as “eyes and ears” on the ground

• Ensure that all internal communications promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts

• Collaborate with colleagues in human resources to support communications needs for organizational employee recognition programs

• Plan and execute of town hall-style meetings so employees from all campuses can hear from, connect with, and provide feedback to senior leaders

Operations

• Report on internal communications results, including contributing to the monthly marketing report

• Contribute to annual budgeting process, and adhere to established budget throughout the year

• Keep abreast of best practices in internal communications to constantly evolve and improve the program

Preferred Qualifications

Qualifications

• 5-8 years’ related experience, health care preferred

• Superior writing, editing, and storytelling skills

• Tact and discretion in handling sensitive information

• Ability to articulate Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission, traditions, and excellence with enthusiasm, energy, and the desire to compel others to action

• Ability to act as a highly effective and productive individual contributor who understands their role within the overall marketing and communications team

• Strong project management skills and attention to detail

• An ability to influence without authority

• Experience working with design, photography, print, and video vendors

• Commitment to Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission and cultural beliefs

• Driver’s license and access to a car (not all campuses are accessible via public transportation)