Manager, Internal Communications and Engagement - Accepting applications through 3/5/2021

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager, Internal Communications and Engagement, is a strategic leadership role at First 5 LA responsible for developing, driving, and executing organization-wide initiatives which promote staff engagement, connectivity, and awareness of organizational priorities. This position is the organization-wide lead for internal communications, and requires an adaptive, strategic, and results-oriented leader able to work both independently and collaboratively. The position reports to the Chief of Staff, is a member of the Executive Director’s Office leadership team, and drives organization-wide collaboration, consistently working with other Offices, Teams, and Centers to ensure clear, consistent, strategic communication within First 5 LA.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager, Internal Communications and Engagement, will visibly demonstrate the adopted organizational values of collaboration, integrity, learning, and diversity, equity and inclusion in the execution of their key areas of responsibility:

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Organization-wide internal communications
• Staff engagement and relationship development
• Project management and cross-functional team facilitation
• Strategy development and planning
• Procurement, contract management, budget development, team management, and other internal operations functions as required

Essential Duties:  

• Develops and executes an organization-wide, strategic internal communications and staff engagement plan 

• Produces strategically aligned, high impact executive and employee communication products, and facilitates the development of internal communication products by others. Examples of work products include all staff emails, Board reports, newsletters, blogs, meeting agendas, talking points and presentations, strategy and work planning documents, memos, and reports 

• Provides communications support for the Executive Director, producing internal communications products and coordinating the development of external communications products with Office of Communications staff 

• Designs and leads cross-functional and highly collaborative efforts to advance knowledge of First 5 LA’s strategic priorities. While this position will strategically collaborate at every level and across the full organization, the position is expected to most frequently drive cross-functional collaboration with the Office of Equity, Strategy, and Learning, Office of Communications, Human Resources Team, and Information Technology (IT) Team 

• In partnership with the Office of Communications, IT Team, and others, develops, manages, and coordinates the organization-wide use of internal communication platforms and other tools to ensure staff are aware of organization-wide priorities and able to access relevant information and resources 

• Supports the execution of effective internal engagement strategies including all staff and leadership team meetings 

• Provides resources, tools and technical assistance to teams across the organization to support effective internal communications and staff engagement 

• Develops and maintains a strong understanding of First 5 LA’s strategic plan, impact framework, policy agenda, priority projects and initiatives, and the organization’s progress toward achieving results for children and families

• Designs and manages organization-wide projects, including the facilitation of teams that include staff from various functional units and the procurement and management of contracts with consultants as needed

• Serves as a member of the leadership team for the Office of the Executive Director, managing priority projects as identified by the Executive Director and Chief of Staff, promoting team alignment and cohesion, and supporting staff development and learning

• Present to the First 5 LA Board and other stakeholders, as requested
• Advances the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and elevates a diversity of perspectives
• Adheres to policies and procedures to ensure alignment with State regulations, local ordinances and First 5 LA/First 5 California directives
• Supervises contractors and consultants, as needed

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Organization-wide Competencies

• Commitment to organizational mission and values: Mission-driven and self-directed, with a demonstrated passion for First 5 LA’s work to strengthen families and improve child outcomes; strives to model organizational values through daily actions and behaviors
• Possesses Customer-Focused Mindset: Is able to identify appropriate and relevant stakeholders; identifies internal and external stakeholders needs (customers); is responsive to stakeholder needs, considers impact when making recommendations
• Collaborative: Collaborates with peers to drive results in alignment with organizational and operational goals in support of the organization’s mission; is able to work in cross-functional teams; is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials and the general public
• Communicates Effectively: Communicates effectively both written and oral; strong presentation skills; demonstrates ability to develop and deliver relevant and appropriate communications; delivers messages in a direct manner; able to tailor messages appropriately to various audiences
• Demonstrates Integrity and Judgment: Follows through on commitments letting others know of his/her true intentions; ensures decision-making or recommendations are fact-based, and others understand the decision/recommendation before moving forward; considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Demonstrates Critical Thinking: Applies critical thinking, logic and reasoning to analyze complex problems and information; identifies relative strengths and weaknesses of options, solutions or approaches
• Demonstrates Strategic Thinking: Identifies key issues and relationships relevant to achieving long range goals or vision; develops alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values to develop a point of view on a course of action to accomplish goals; develops priorities with the right balance of short and long-term wins
• Demonstrates Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Supports equal and active participation of people and groups with diverse identifies, race, ethnicities, abilities, characteristics, cultures, socio-economic status, opinions, and beliefs; continuously challenges assumptions, and is mindful of unconscious bias, and leverages differences; understands historical and current context and root causes of inequities within society, systems and institutions; values a diversity of perspectives and encourages contributions by all team members

Job Specific Competencies

• Relationship Building: Able to engage with diverse staff and leadership to promote trust, collaboration, and partnership across teams and various levels of leadership; able to quickly establish credibility and maintain productive relationships, navigate political sensitivities, encourage open communications, and use negotiation skills to resolve conflict
• Content Knowledge: Understands organizational development, learning, and internal communications strategy and practices; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; knows how to use technology tools to manage and expedite processes and effectively engage colleagues and external partners; uses resources effectively
• Integration and Alignment: Able to link multiple perspectives, interests, and related processes to reach consensus and develop strategies; able to balance team needs and interests with an organization-wide perspective
• Research, Data Analysis and Visualization: Able to conduct research and synthesize data, as appropriate. Able to validate data, analyze and determine key findings, communicate those findings, and apply insights for continuous improvement; able to use various visualization tools to help other metabolize and use data for strategy development and ongoing improvement
• Project Management: Works in an organized manner with strong attention to detail; prioritizes and plans work activities; ability to effectively manage overlapping projects and deadlines; displays understanding of how job relates to others; ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; integrates changes smoothly; ability to manage high performance projects

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of experience in one or more of the following areas preferred: organizational development, communications, strategic planning, staff and/or customer relations, research and learning
• Significant experience working in collaboration with colleagues and internal/external partners with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, political and religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientation with demonstrated experience of treating everyone with respect and dignity preferred

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of management, communications, public policy/public affairs, organizational development, humanities, or other relevant field preferred

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficiency in web-based collaboration and/or meeting platforms (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Sli-do etc.)
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Valid automobile liability insurance

Travel Requirements:

• This position requires travel locally, statewide and nationally as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will sit, talk, hear and use hands up to 2/3 of the time. The employee will stand and walk up to 1/3 of the time. The employee is routinely required to carry and/or lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.