Sr. Manager, Internal Communications

Vonage Marketing Mission

Vonage Marketing Mission: We are a highly creative, energetic and results-oriented organization that produces and delivers the content Vonage needs to entice, educate, engage with and sell to customers around the world. We connect with the external marketplace through all media including print, digital and social. Our team leverages deep industry, market and customer data into actionable insights and marketing strategies. We are creative and collaborative, striving to translate how Vonage's products and services can meet the needs of our current and future customers.

Why this Role Matters

Corporate Communications develops and executes strategic communications campaigns that inform, engage and inspire employees and internal stakeholders. We ensure internal communications align with external efforts, and accurately portray company developments and trends. The role of Senior Manager of Internal Communications supports communications efforts enterprise-wide.

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, CONTINUE READING BELOW…….

Job Summary

The Senior Manager of Internal Communications works closely with the VP of Corporate Communications and the Director of Internal & Executive Communications to develop, manage and drive Vonage's global internal communications strategy. The Senior Manager of Internal Communications also ensures employee engagement and alignment with Vonage's business goals by creating and executing ongoing, effective communications programs to promote positive employee relations. This role collaborates with senior business leaders and Human Resources in the development of speeches, presentations, and other communications to support internal and potentially external opportunities. The person in this role will also be responsible for the effective development and execution of the DEI communications strategy and play a vital role in advancing Vonage's DEI roadmap by implementing and managing communications that elevate Vonage's Diversity, Equality & Inclusion initiatives and activities internally as well as externally, working closely with the External Communications Team. A successful candidate will understand the business impact of DEI and will leverage key metrics, communications and strategies, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and Employee Resource Groups to drive positive outcomes in the DEI space.

What You Will Do

• Apply experience and expertise to consult and advise on internal communications methods and strategies.
• Engage with business, product and functional leaders to understand new initiatives, products, business direction and associated communications requirements.
• Work with Public Relations and other communications teams to help craft consistently aligned material in support of program and marketing campaigns.
• Write, edit and finalize all aspects of employee communications materials.
• Adjust communications methods and material to respond to changing market, customer, business and employee conditions, needs and expectations.
• Determine the appropriate medium for intended audiences and messages.
• Review employee / audience feedback to determine the effectiveness of communications material, recommending and driving changes as appropriate to improve delivery and understanding.
• Plan and ensure appropriate company / management participation in internal events.
• Play a lead role in the development and implementation of Corporate Communications process improvement initiatives.
• Write and manage production of a wide range of communications materials including the Corporate intranet, all-employee emails, Workplace, presentations, speeches, scripts, multimedia and video content among other materials and channels.
• Create, enhance, and manage the appropriate mix of these internal communications programs, channels and vehicles to drive awareness and understanding of the various lines of business for Vonage. Enhance existing and implement new internal communications tools and techniques to engage employees in these topics.
• Manage and enhance editorial process for the Corporate intranet: develop and manage editorial calendar and content; identify timely and appropriate stories and write them or collaborate with other functions to write stories; build network of communicators for story ideas and input; develop and oversee analysis of data/metrics and solutions to improve internal communications content and readership; ensure message consistency for all communications.
• Support monthly All-Hands meetings, employee engagement events and internal video communications, including counsel and enablement of leaders and peers across key functions to understand and effectively use these internal communications channels to drive employee engagement. Work with peers in the organization to identify communication opportunities, prioritize communication programs and deliver consistent, relevant messages.
• Develop and manage execution of internal communication plans for cross-functional programs and initiatives throughout the organization.
• Support the external communications/PR and other internal groups and outside vendors/divisions in the development of presentations and proposals focusing on communications and marketing campaigns for new and existing programs.
• Research, develop and execute innovative strategies to foster and advance DEI across the company.
• Serve as the resident subject matter expert working with the Employee Resource Groups to coach, mentor and provide insight into DEI culture-building initiatives, best practices and innovative programming that will aid in driving DEI strategy at Vonage.
• Lead the coordination and ensure alignment with Employee Resource Groups to ensure a cohesive narrative about the purpose and goals of these groups.
• Interact and engage with various cross-functional, internal business leaders, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and Employee Resource Groups to create DEI action plans that drive business impact.
• Lead diversity learning journey initiatives via research and/or creation of original content (Q&A interviews, informational articles, social media content, etc.) to advance learning and development for all team members.
• Partners with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board to advise and ensure the company's DEI priorities are represented in people and culture communications.
• Develop and manage the DEI calendar, researching upcoming acknowledgment months and days to support designing content to educate team members and external audiences.

What You Will Bring (Technical Knowledge, Software, Etc.)

• Apply experience and expertise to consult and advise on internal communications methods and strategies.
• Engage with business, product and functional leaders to understand new initiatives, products, business direction and associated communications requirements.
• Work with Public Relations and other communications teams to help craft consistently aligned material in support of program and marketing campaigns.
• Create and manage integrated communications campaigns, digital content and promotions to drive awareness, support revenue growth and help position the company brand.
• Write, edit and finalize all aspects of employee communications materials.
• Adjust communications methods and material to respond to changing market, customer, business and employee conditions, needs and expectations.
• Determine the appropriate medium for intended audiences and messages.
• Review employee / audience feedback to determine the effectiveness of communications material, recommending and driving changes as appropriate to improve delivery and understanding.
• Plan and ensure appropriate company / management participation in internal events.
• Play a lead role in the development and implementation of Corporate Communications process improvement initiatives.

What is Required

• Prior experience (10+ years) in a Corporate Communications or related position.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including copyediting, and familiarity with the AP style
• Ability to synthesize complex materials to develop creative, engaging and persuasive messaging for a variety of employee audiences
• Experience interacting with and supporting senior leadership
• Strong initiative and ability to deliver high-quality, highly visible work under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and simultaneously manage several projects, operating with a sense of urgency in a deadline-driven environment
• Willingness to constantly learn and understand new areas of the business
• A strategic thinker with an interest in technology
• Experience with Adobe Suite, G Suite, Salesforce.com, Workplace by Facebook and Slack is a plus, but not required
• High-energy, reliable and enthusiastic team player where no job is too small
• A sense of humor because we like to have fun
• Collaborator that always puts the team first is a must
• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or related field, with 10+ years of internal communications experience building enterprise-wide programs for large companies
• Demonstrated mastery of project management
• Demonstrated leadership ability, successful execution and implementation skills, organizational skills, decision making ability, and superior team management and influencing skills
• Diligence and independence
• Significant experience with intranets for global companies
• Exceptional writing, editing, organizational, project management and problem solving skills necessary
• Proofreading skills are a must, as is familiarity with AP guidelines.
• Ability to multitask on projects requiring differing skill sets, while maintaining high standards of work on a tight schedule with competing priorities
• The ability to forge relationships and be respectfully aware of others when handling culturally sensitive topics

Additional Skills (would like to have but not required)

• Prior experience with SharePoint and Web analytics is a plus.
• Multimedia experience a plus

Education

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or related field, with 10+ years of internal communications experience

What is in it for you

In addition to providing exciting work, career advancement opportunities, and a collaborative work environment, Vonage provides competitive pay and benefits including unlimited discretionary time off and tuition reimbursement.

Note: The purpose of this profile is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. Assignments may differ for individuals within the same role based on business conditions, departmental need or geographic location. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position.

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