Communications Specialist - Employee Communications (Media)

JOB SUMMARY

The Communication Specialist focused on employee communicaitons ensures a mutual understanding of PERA's Strategic Communications Plan and goals, reinforces PERA's brand and values, and engages employees to more effectively respond to change by promoting opportunities for two-way communication. This position contributes to the health and strength of PERA by overseeing content to effectively integrate organizational priorities into employee messages. A successful candidate works closely with the Senior Director of Communications, Executive Director and Human Resources to develop and release employee communications to facilitate organizational change and to contribute to a culture of engagement, collaboration, continuous learning, improvement and risk awareness.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Keeping employees informed and engaged in PERA's mission is the top priority for this position. The ideal candidate is passionate about telling great employee stories, building a culture of engagement and helping our staff understand how they play an important role in achieving company priorities. They are curious about what colleagues are doing across the organization, able to link that work to PERA's vision and mission, and comfortable interacting with senior leadership to help shape employee communications and identify trends in company culture/engagement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Understands the mission and services provided by PERA in order to actively inform employees 
• Develops and implements strategic communication plans in support of organizational priorities
• Develops and implements processes and programs to determine the needs and desires of the organization.  In coordination with Human Resources, reports information gathered from employee surveys, focus groups, on-line tools and other processes
• Keeps informed on and implements innovative and useful methods of communication with a focus on trends in internal communications
• Works with senior staff to understand organizational trends and communicate change as directed
• Establishes good working relationships with the Executive Director and division directors to facilitate timely, accurate, and positive dissemination of employee messages.  Answers information requests from divisions as needed
• Advises Senior Director of Communication and Director of Communication on appropriate intranet content for employee communications related to compensation, benefits, staffing structures, staff development programs, and change management messages
• Serves as an adviser to organization leaders on issues related to internal messaging and communications
• Consults with assigned departments/divisions in developing strategies and communication plans

• Manages and integrates internal communications, as assigned, across all employee communication platforms (web, social media, print, video)
• Assists in facilitating cross-department teams related to employee communications and assists with presentations to employee groups
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Communication and video staff, oversees and manages internal employee meetings/video streaming with the Executive Director
• With assistance from Human Resources, oversees and manages communication of the employee recognition programs
• Provides editorial support to staff to ensure that written materials presented to employees reflect the standards of PERA
• Writes employee messages, newsletters, brochures, flyers, scripts and other items
• Project manages PERA's monthly employee newsletter, video news, and employee recognition programs
• Serves as a spokesperson for PERA's monthly employee video news program
• Based on direction from the Senior Director of Communication, prioritizes internal communication projects to assure that employee communication supports organization and department policy goals and organizational objectives
• Posts and manages content on PERA's employee intranet
• Coordinates all duties related to the preparation and implementation of the Employee All-Staff meetings
• Contributes to external communications projects as assigned
• Participates in training and educational opportunities for ongoing professional development
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field required. Minimum of five years of experience in internal communication, public information, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience

• Demonstrated ability to resolve issues using own initiative, under minimal supervision, time pressure, and competing interests

• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with experience in print, web, and social media
• Professional experience in working with senior management and staff on internal and external communications
• Work experience demonstrating flexibility and excellent organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, respond to requests for information in a timely manner, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Experience with developing, managing and executing internal communication plans for the organization
• Experience in analyzing and measuring effectiveness of messaging
• Demonstrated strategic agility to anticipate potential outcomes and consequences related to employee communication and political issues
• Courage to provide objective feedback and represent a minority perspective
• Interpersonal savvy to relate to all levels of leadership and staff to build effective relationships
• Reputation for integrity and trust in dealing with confidential information
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and effectively cope with change in work plans and priorities
• Strong attention to detail, grammar and accuracy of information

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard office environment with regular telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine
• Occasional travel by car or plane as necessary for business purposes

WORK FROM HOME OPTION

• Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION DISCLAIMER:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned with or without notice.

Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES
Complete the employment application online at www.copera.org/careers. Have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. As part of the online application, you will be asked for a response to the following questions.

1. Describe your experience working with executives and Human Resources to keep employees informed.
2. How do you balance your personal views with your role as a communications professional championing company policy, vision and business objectives?
3. Describe your experience gathering employee stories, company information and new initiatives in order to convey engaging information to employees.
4. Describe the metrics you use to measure communication success, including stakeholder relationships.

As part of the application process we would like you to submit up to three work samples from your past employment.   Please send your samples via e-mail directly to cerwin@copera.org.

ABOUT COLORADO PERA
As Colorado's largest public pension plan, we are committed to providing retirement and other benefits to more than 600,000 current and former teachers, State Troopers, corrections officers, snowplow drivers, and many other public employees who provide valuable service to all of Colorado.

We hire exceptional employees and invest in their growth and development. We are passionate about our work and committed to serving our members by delivering quality customer service, sound investment decisions, and education programs.  Our culture is built on the core values of integrity and accountability, excellence and initiative, collaboration, and engagement. We value diverse perspectives and promote an inclusive culture, recognizing that our people are our primary asset. We provide a healthy work-life balance and a culture where excellence is rewarded.  At PERA, your work makes a difference every day.

At PERA, you will earn more than just a paycheck- our total rewards package is focused on wellbeing. We offer a comprehensive benefit plan with eligibility for most plans being the first of the month following the date of hire. We offer a generous paid time off plan as well as paid volunteer hours, PERA's defined benefit plan, 401(k) and 457 defined contribution plans (including employer match on the 401(k), as applicable), tuition assistance, on-the-job training, free access to an on-site fitness center, free on-site parking or RTD subsidy, and more. For more information, please visit www.copera.org/careers.

Position Title:                         Communications Specialist - Email Marketing and Communications
Division:                                  Communications
Reports to:                              Director of Communications
Job Status:                              Full-Time, Exempt
Salary:                                     $65,550 - $87,400 annually, Commensurate with experience
Posting Date:                          6/9/2022 - 6/27/2022