Communications Specialist

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Edit and develop internal and client-facing content to create compelling communications and assets that highlight key messages, tell a story, and connect with diverse audiences and influential stakeholder groups. 
• Serve as IPM’s communication expert, providing consultation on clear and effective messaging, grammatical accuracy, and platform usage; translating complex ideas into meaningful narratives and actionable strategies; and keeping up with communication trends and best practices.
• Support executives and senior leaders in developing high-impact internal and external communications deliverables and campaigns.
• Create strategic communication strategies and campaigns for defined short-term client and internal projects.
• Serve as primary developer and content manager for large, multi-author documents and proposals, ensuring a consistent, unified voice, advising on format and core messages, managing collaborators, and producing the final product.
• Lead and evolve IPM’s Internal Communications Program.
• Manage IPM’s internal digest and support content development for IPM’s companywide newsletter.
• Advise on and govern posts and communication strategy for IPM’s internal SharePoint Online site.
• Partner with internal teams to develop improved solutions and content for proposal development and contract management.
• Serve as key administrator for IPM’s Project Performance Evaluation (PPE) survey process.
• Contribute to the Communication and Creative Services ("CCS") team’s strategic plan, and propose innovations and improvements to CCS offerings and processes.
• Creatively enhance requests and provide back-up graphic design and presentation design support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Collaboration and Company Advocacy:

• Provide/receive peer and supervisor performance feedback as appropriate.
• Consistently represent IPM’s philosophies and standards (as stated in Our Mission and Beliefs) in interactions with co-workers, clients, potential clients, etc. to portray a positive image and maintain and enhance IPM’s reputation.
• Focus on building healthy, communicative relationships with coworkers, clients and others.
• Complete activities that promote professional development, including Development Plan and training objectives.
• Support IPM’s established initiatives and Annual Plan imperatives.
• Comply with IPM’s policies and procedures, including best practices in the office, safety, and appearance.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Personal Characteristics:

• Exceptional copy-editing abilities and editorial judgment, with a strong adherence to selected style parameters (especially Chicago Manual of Style).
• Advanced understanding of narrative structure, storytelling techniques, and content/message development.
• Expertise in using imagery and design constructs to reinforce written concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage information from various sources, creating alignment and providing proactive, timely solutions.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with ability to collaborate and manage relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Highly adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment with interruptions, competing priorities, and unpredictable deadlines.
• Creative and curious with a continuous improvement mindset and willingness to fail; resourceful and takes initiative to exceed expectations
• Eager to learn and grow knowledge and skillset within writing, communication, and design disciplines.
• Ability to lead and contribute in a team environment.

Required Education and Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or similar field.
• 5+ years in communications or editing role.
• Proficient in Word, Adobe Reader, and PowerPoint. Strong competency in SharePoint Online.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Program:

100% employer-paid health for employees and 85% paid health for dependents; 401(k) matching,  tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, holiday, personal and sick time, among many others; salary range is $75,000 - $90,000 dependent on experience.