Communications Manager

Sonora Quest Laboratories / Laboratory Sciences of Arizona • Yakima, WA

10d

About The Position

The Communications Manager leads a team of communications professionals and develops internal and external communications strategies and tactics for Sonora Quest Laboratories/Laboratory Sciences of Arizona’s employee and customer populations. The role oversees internal communications, community outreach, social media, and public relations, while providing leadership, coaching, and development to team members. The position works in accordance with established policies, procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements, and applicable professional standards.

The manager develops and executes strategic communications plans, oversees communication channels and content, tracks outcomes and budgets, and collaborates with organizational leaders, stakeholders, agencies, and vendors to deliver projects on time and within budget. The role also leads the company intranet strategy and transformation, aligns internal and external messaging, serves as a company spokesperson, supports executive visibility, and oversees employee engagement and community outreach initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, business, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in internal corporate communications and public relations, including management of an agency relationship.
• Two years of leadership experience with direct reports.
• Experience managing an intranet transformation; SharePoint experience is preferred.
• Experience building content in SharePoint and other content management systems, including UX, content structure, layout, and design.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage internal customer relationships and negotiate mutually beneficial service-level agreements.
• Ability to align communications strategies and programs with company goals.
• Track record of developing people and building effective teams.
• Ability to use tools and technology to maximize productivity and efficiency.
• Ability to gather necessary information and formulate plans.
• Proficiency in analyzing communication metrics and adapting strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Availability to occasionally work non-regular hours, including evenings and weekend events, and to be accessible 24/7 by mobile device for crisis or urgent media situations.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment, travel less than 10%, and perform extensive computer work with prolonged sitting.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in AP Style.
• Knowledge of the health care industry.
• Strong public speaking skills and/or media spokesperson experience.
• Experience with change management communications.
• Additional related education and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of communications professionals, including providing direction, coaching, and development, and exercising full authority over employment-related decisions for direct reports.
• Develop and manage internal communications, community outreach, and public relations strategic plans, including channels, tactics, and collateral consistent with editorial and brand standards.
• Monitor and report communication outcomes, costs, engagement, and delivery timing; collaborate with leadership, stakeholders, the PR agency, and vendors to meet goals and deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Develop, update, and implement annual strategic corporate communications plans and oversee the community outreach plan and budget.
• Explore and implement communication methods and technologies that improve information dissemination and engagement; work cross-functionally to create cohesive, consistent messaging.
• Oversee intranet strategy, content management, and transformation, including research, content architecture, content manager training, editorial standards, and adoption.
• Collaborate with the PR agency on earned media strategies; align internal and external messages; review award submissions and media materials; act as company spokesperson and conduct media training for leaders.
• Work with vendors and HR to administer the employee engagement survey and develop action plans; lead the employee engagement committee to address feedback, engagement, and retention.
• Uphold brand and editorial standards with Marketing and monitor deliverables from promotional vendors, agencies, and contractors.
• Gather audience feedback to guide content across print, email, social, web, presentations, and outreach events in support of company goals.
• Work with the CEO and senior leadership to support executive visibility through focus groups, leadership meetings, town halls, and videos.
• Evaluate and report communication outcomes and recommend actions to senior leadership.
• Oversee and recommend charitable giving and community outreach programs, tracking events, employee participation, budgets, social media impressions, and overall results.

Benefits

• Option to participate in a variety of health, financial, and security benefits.
• May be eligible for Management or Sales Incentive Programs as part of the Total Rewards package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager