Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

GIA (Gemological Institute of America)•Carlsbad, CA

2d•$126,000 - $178,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role leads key elements of GIA’s corporate communications strategy, with primary responsibility for executive and internal communications and a significant role in external communications. The position serves as a strategic communications partner to senior leadership, developing messaging and programs that strengthen GIA’s reputation, engage employees, and advance organizational priorities. The role also contributes to media relations, reputation and crisis communications, and the management of external agency partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
8+ years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or a related field, including significant experience in executive and/or internal communications.
Demonstrated experience advising executives and senior leaders on messaging, presentations, media engagements, and sensitive communications.
Experience developing and executing enterprise-level communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels.
Experience in media relations, reputation management, and crisis/issues communications.
Experience managing external agencies, vendors, and complex communications programs.
Communicates with clarity, confidence, and sound judgment across executive, employee, media, and external stakeholder audiences; adapts messaging to the audience and influences outcomes effectively.
Connects communications strategy to organizational priorities, anticipates stakeholder needs, and considers long-term reputation and business implications.
Demonstrates advanced knowledge of executive communications, internal communications, media relations, reputation management, crisis/issues communications, editorial strategy, and communications measurement.
Demonstrates initiative and ownership, establishes clear priorities, drives execution, and holds self and others accountable for high-quality results.
Makes timely, thoughtful decisions in complex or sensitive situations and handles confidential information with discretion and integrity.
Builds trusted relationships across functions and levels, including senior leadership, and navigates differing perspectives constructively.
Manages multiple high-visibility communications initiatives, stakeholders, agencies, timelines, and competing priorities effectively.
Establishes measures of communications effectiveness, uses insights and feedback to improve outcomes, and maintains high standards for quality and impact.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a global or complex organization preferred.
Gem and jewelry industry experience preferred; international communications experience a plus

Responsibilities

Develop and lead an executive communications strategy that positions GIA’s CEO and senior leaders as trusted, authoritative voices within the gem and jewelry sector and advances GIA’s mission and organizational priorities.
Develop executive communications across speeches, op-eds, social media, presentations, and other external platforms to strengthen executive visibility, credibility, and thought leadership.
Identify and evaluate high-value speaking, media, and thought-leadership opportunities that reach priority audiences across premier media, international forums, podcasts, newsletters, and digital channels.
Advise and prepare senior leaders for interviews, panels, speaking engagements, and other public-facing opportunities through strategic messaging, briefing materials, and communications coaching.
Monitor industry, media, and stakeholder trends and advise senior leaders on strategic engagement opportunities that advance GIA’s mission, reputation, and organizational objectives.
Strengthen executive readiness for media engagement through media training, preparation, coaching, and ongoing evaluation of communications effectiveness using monitoring, analysis, and feedback.
Create and lead a communications plan that establishes GIA’s CEO and senior leaders as trusted, authoritative figures within the gem and jewelry sector.
Extend leadership voice across speeches, op‑eds, social posts, and well-timed public moments that carry weight.
Identify venues and opportunities that reach influential audiences, including premier media and international forums as well as more focused channels such as podcasts, newsletters, and online engagements.
Prepare leadership ahead of interviews, panels, and advocacy opportunities so each appearance strengthens GIA's authority.
Ensure a high standard for executive content, balancing authenticity, thought leadership, and strategic focus.
Monitor the field of influence; advise on GIA's leaders should engage to advance GIA’s mission and business objectives.
Bolster the organization's preparedness for media engagement through executive media training, while driving ongoing refinement informed by monitoring, analysis, and feedback.
Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of enterprise internal communications across channels, ensuring communications inform and engage employees, strengthen understanding of organizational priorities, and support employee alignment.
Oversees a robust editorial and communications program that elevates people, leadership, events, and business initiatives.
Develop and manage internal leadership communications, including executive announcements, town halls, employee forums, and other engagements.
Partner with Corporate Communications leadership to shape and execute external communications strategies that strengthen GIA’s reputation, support organizational priorities, and ensure consistent messaging across external audiences.
Manage relationships with external public relations agencies and ensure timely execution of communication initiatives.
Manage and coordinate media relations activities, including responses to media inquiries, development of key messages and communications materials, and preparation of senior leaders for media engagements.
Partner with Corporate Communications leadership on reputation management, issues management, and crisis communications, developing timely, accurate, and consistent messaging that protects GIA’s reputation and aligns with organizational priorities and brand standards.
Serve as a strategic communications partner to departments across GIA, providing communications counsel and ensuring alignment with enterprise messaging, brand standards, and organizational priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned.