Senior Internal Communications Lead

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team in Energy & Materials, Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, and Robotics.

With a can-do culture, the Communications team is composed of individual contributors who enjoy working autonomously as much as collaboratively. Our goal is to inspire and inform TRI, our global Toyota family, and the world about our mission, research, innovation achievements, and people.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Internal Communications Lead with a diverse background in Content, Marketing, and Strategic Communications. The ideal candidate has experience building relationships in Fortune 100 companies and global research organizations. In this role, you will develop a vision and execute key deliverables across the organization. In parallel, the Senior Internal Communications Lead will be able to bridge external, Toyota-wide communications initiatives with TRI’s internal communications strategy.

Reporting to the VP of Communications, the ideal candidate is strategy-driven, focused on performance and metrics, and a self-starter capable of wearing multiple hats. You’re willing to roll up your sleeves as part of a high-performing Communications team where no task is too big or too small!

• A critical thinker: With curiosity and foresight, you anticipate needs and develop programs accordingly, with an eye toward outcomes and impact. You study metrics, follow-through, and Kaizen for the next time up at bat. Performance and KPI-focused, you are passionate about strategic planning by asking the right questions to uncover needs, objectives, and potential roadblocks, guiding communications projects to successful outcomes.

• A seasoned writer: You can distill complex and technical descriptions into clear, concise messages tailored to various internal audiences. Your writing is consistent, accurate, and detail-oriented.

• Accountable driver and change agent: In addition to delivering effective communication, you are passionate about elevating work and working methods, ensuring they are delivered through streamlined and repeatable processes. If there's room for improvement, you take the initiative to make it happen.

• Collaborative team player: You thrive in agile environments and can adjust to ambiguous or challenging situations. Collaborating with others means jumping in whenever help is needed and working with diverse and cross-functional teams to bring their messages to life. You are adept at working with organizational leadership to help them achieve their objectives.

• Develop and manage internal comms and channel strategies. Propose and identify opportunities to support both TRI and Toyota-wide goals through annual planning and ongoing campaigns.
• Collaborate with key business units across Research and Operations (HR, Legal, DEI, & ERG teams) to ensure cohesive communication tactics.
• Align with global Toyota communications teams to share TRI’s story and support consistent two-way messaging.
• Develop cross-channel communications to inform and engage. Write, review, and curate communications for internal audiences, including organizational announcements, presentations, newsletters, digital signage, all-hands events, and Intranet content.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of communications activities and optimize them through data-driven improvements, using learnings and insights to inform comms planning and execution.
• Report on programs to gain alignment and buy-in from partners across TRI leadership and global Toyota partners.
• Manage projects from kick-off to completion, ensuring assets are delivered on time and to our quality standards.
• Prioritize requests from stakeholders, support the briefing process, and manage work across TRI’s tools and platforms, such as Google Drive and Asana.

• 10+ years of experience working in communications, marketing, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Track record of driving results through strategic planning.
• Exceptional storytelling, writing, and editing skills, coupled with the ability to deliver complex and technical narratives into digestible formats.
• Comfortable speaking in front of groups and able to offer guidance and coaching to teams on presentations and effective oral communication and presentations.
• Confidence to lead and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to build relationships and influence.
• Experience designing and producing town hall/all-hands and other owned events.
• Experience with developing programs to drive employee retention, engagement, and DEI initiatives.
• Strong presentation skills.

• Experience in technology or other fast-paced environments, preferably with a Fortune 100 company or research organization.
• Experience working with senior leadership stakeholders.
• Background in content marketing.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $167,200 and $240,350/year for California-based roles; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

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TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.