Head of Internal and Leadership Communications

The Head of Internal and Leadership Communications will be responsible for developing and implementing an integrated internal and executive communications plan for Signet. The Head of Internal and Leadership Communications will supports the SVP, Chief Communications Officer in building strategy, engagement and reputation management efforts, predominately with our employees and leaders. This functional leader will also work closely with our CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer. This includes launching a new company employee channel, co-launching our employee experience and building a corporate employee social advocacy program. This leader will also work with the Communications leadership team to manage crisis, launch new programs and support thought leadership programs with executives.

S/He will also be responsible for developing a pro-active company-wide editorial program for ongoing advocacy and business literacy, writing and producing internal and executive communications, and managing the evolution of the company’s communication and corporate channels. S/He will work with a matrix team of direct and indirect resources.

S/He will manage all executive and internal communications and executive positioning, including speeches, presentations, employee communications, talking points, backgrounders, op-eds and thought leadership pieces, as well as correspondence with key stakeholders and other written materials.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop an internal and executive communications strategy with the SVP, Chief Communications Officer that is aligned with business objectives, ensuring that it is integrated and consistently articulated to a diverse spectrum of stakeholders (including employees, the media, industry leaders and influencers, customers, partners, vendors, community leaders and the general public).
• Develop and implement practices that support digital, data driven and highly integrated communications plan with team members who are experienced working on multiple communications platforms, creating editorial narratives, organic content and brand team advocacy.
• Support preparation of internal materials for quarterly announcements and financial communications in collaboration with the communications leadership team and investor relations.
• Lead and manage the implementation of the company’s internal communications strategy and initiatives to ensure that matrix relationships with global and store communications staff are aligned and engaged around the company’s direction, its goals, and its progress.
• Be an outstanding writer with a proven ability to clearly and crisply capture the personality/voice, vision and priorities of the CEO for various audiences through a variety of mediums on a wide-range of topics.
• Develop a strategically relevant, well-coordinated and flawlessly executed internal executive positioning plan to support the CEO.
• Collaborate on communications planning and opportunities with other communication leaders. Support the overall corporate communications and CSR function to evolve the strategy and positioning of the company.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

The following critical success factors to accomplish in year one include:

• The ability to earn the trust, confidence, and endorsement of the leadership team as a colleague, advisor, and problem solver who is not only a functional expert but a communications partner to their functions.
• Demonstrates active leadership and experiences in creating narratives for a diverse set of leaders and initiatives. Operates with creativity, collaborative spirit and proven skills for conveying both internal and external messages.
• Develop repeatable reporting and measurement processes and analyses to effectively monitor, analyze and maximize return on investment for external communications campaigns and efforts. Anticipate, identify and mitigate communications and reputation risk.
• Produce compelling communications that effectively convey, in Gina’s voice, our corporate narrative to the media, employees, industry peers, business partners, policy makers and the general public.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 10-15+ years of experience in public relations and corporate communications, including experience in a global consumer, retail, or other highly-regarded communications agency.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree a plus.
• Firm understanding of the issues facing the communications industry and apply this knowledge and context to Signet.
• Global professional experience and will be a proven performer capable of bringing modern communications approaches to a results-driven organization.
• Experience in the retail and consumer products industries.
• The VP will need to be a strong writer, a strategic communications thinker and a proven communications professional with relevant experience in multiple communication disciplines working for a large, global company or organization.
• Strong experience/knowledge of social media tools and techniques for driving reputation and brand and advancing messaging in the market. A proven track-record of excellence in developing and executing brand communications in a corporate communication function with well-known/national brand(s).
• Hands-on experience managing a highly proactive communications strategy, with a solid reputation for integrity, transparency and follow-through; and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately with a defensive communications strategy, as needed.
• Experience in building an employee experience (with HR), leading internal and executive communications, positioning companies in transition/transformation working with key stakeholders, including customers, employees, the media, community leaders, and the public.
• Experience with fast paced organizations who are in transition/transformation where the communications needs are complex and diverse.
• Demonstrates the ability to envision, articulate, and implement process and program continuous improvements.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to build rapport with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Ability to positively motivate, lead, and build consensus across corporate functions. A collaborative, adaptable and engaging leadership style.
• Leads with executive presence, culturally nuanced and comfortable being a spokesperson for the brands and industry.
• Demonstrated experience as a results-oriented leader with strong business acumen and relationships.
• The position requires a strong, gifted writer, someone capable of rolling up their sleeves and developing crisp, conversational and compelling communications of all types — speeches, messaging, letters, video scripts, presentations, you name it. Must be able to translate complex business, economic, public policy, financial or technological information into clear, compelling language geared to particular audiences, from customers and policy makers to customers, investors and employees.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, and a personal reputation for honesty, integrity and above-reproach ethics.

Employee Contract Type