Communications Lead

Back Location Illinois Type Contract Duration 6 months with potential for extension Start Date ASAP Skills Communications, internal communications, SharePoint, MS Teams, Reference # Job-11905 Job Description Communications Lead – Contract If you’re a seasoned internal communications professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, this is a compelling opportunity to make a real impact. As an embedded communications partner to senior marketing leadership, you’ll shape and amplify a clear organizational narrative, help employees understand and embrace transformation, and bring structure and clarity to a fast-moving environment — all while working alongside a collaborative team that values both your counsel and your craft. ***Part-Time contract – up to 20 hrs/ week ***Start Date: ASAP * **Duration: 6 months ( possible extension up to 12 months) * **Location: Remote * **Compensation: Up to $90 per hour (W2) plus benefits Communications Lead – Contract This contract role serves as an embedded communications partner to senior marketing leadership. The position connects leadership priorities, transformation initiatives, business updates, and key wins into a clear and consistent organizational narrative — then translates that narrative into practical, audience-appropriate communications for the broader marketing team. Working closely with leaders, change management professionals, and initiative teams, this individual identifies what employees need to know, recommends how and when to communicate it, and independently develops and delivers the required materials. Key Responsibilities Leadership Partnership & Communications Counsel Participate in relevant leadership discussions and maintain visibility across major priorities and initiatives. Proactively identify communications needs and recommend the appropriate audience, message, channel, and timing. Communications Planning & Organizational Narrative Operationalize the team’s internal communications approach and maintain a clear, consistent narrative connecting leadership priorities, transformation initiatives, milestones, business outcomes, and key wins. Maintain an integrated communications calendar and recommend communications based on emerging needs. Transformation & Initiative Communications Partner with change management and initiative leaders to translate change plans into clear, coordinated communications. Develop messages, stakeholder communications, leader materials, FAQs, and communications cadences that support awareness, understanding, and adoption. Leadership Messaging & Talking Points Develop executive communications, presentations, leadership updates, briefing materials, and reusable talking points that equip leaders and team members to explain priorities and initiatives consistently. Content Development, Storytelling & Wins Translate complex topics into clear, practical, and engaging communications for diverse audiences. Develop emails, Teams messages, presentations, FAQs, newsletters, leader materials, and stories that make organizational priorities, progress, and key wins visible and understandable. Town Halls & Employee Engagement Support the planning and execution of town halls and employee engagement activities, including messaging, creative concepts, presentation development, speaker preparation, and follow-up communications. Communications Operations & Channels Establish and maintain the working structure for internal communications, including planning routines, intake and prioritization, editorial cadence, calendars, templates, content repositories, and channel delivery across platforms such as Staffbase, Teams, SharePoint, email, and other employee communications tools. Measurement & Insights Monitor communications performance and employee feedback, using engagement data and insights to improve effectiveness and inform future communications. What Success Looks Like * A clear, consistent communications narrative connects leadership priorities, transformation initiatives, progress, and key wins across the organization. * Leadership communications are coordinated, timely, and supported by clear messaging, talking points, and presentation materials. * Communications needs are identified proactively rather than only after leaders or initiative teams request support. * Employees receive clear, audience-appropriate updates through a predictable communications cadence. * Town halls and major employee communications reinforce the same priorities and narrative. * Leaders and team members can explain major initiatives consistently in everyday conversations. * Communications plans, calendars, templates, channels, and repositories are organized and easy to maintain. * Engagement data and employee feedback are used to improve future communications. Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidate brings 7 or more years of relevant internal, corporate, or transformation communications experience — or equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to independently counsel leaders and execute communications in a complex organization. This person combines strong judgment and exceptional writing with the ability to connect activity across multiple initiatives, bring structure to ambiguity, and turn broad direction into clear, finished communications. Key Attributes * Demonstrated ability to work independently from broad or incomplete direction * Strong judgment about what needs to be communicated, to whom, when, and through which channel * Ability to stay informed across multiple initiatives without needing to be the subject-matter expert for each * Comfort participating in leadership discussions and handling confidential or evolving information * Ability to connect disparate updates into a consistent organizational narrative * Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and executive communications capabilities * Experience supporting transformation, organizational change, or major business initiatives through communications