Director, Internal Communications

Covista•Chicago, IL

3d•$100,172 - $181,035•Hybrid

About The Position

As part of our Corporate Affairs team, we’re looking for a Director, Internal Communications and Employee Engagement who is equal parts strategist, change leader and builder. In this role, you’ll help shape how our 10,000 colleagues experience organizational change, connect to our purpose, vision, values and strategy, and engage with our culture. You’ll also play a key role in strengthening our employer brand by partnering closely with HR, Brand and executive leaders to bring our employee value proposition to life. You’ll serve as a strategic communications partner to HR while also supporting other functions across the enterprise on an as-needed basis. Working across Corporate Affairs and with leaders throughout the organization, you’ll develop communication and change strategies that build trust, drive understanding and inspire action. Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategy and Internal Communications, the preferred location for this role is our Chicago office. We will also consider candidates based in our Washington, D.C., Columbia, Md., Minneapolis, Minn., or Lisle, Ill., offices. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation to work in the office Monday through Thursday. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your ideas and communications influence culture and business outcomes, we’d love to meet you.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in communications, media relations, journalism, or related degree required.
A continuous learner with deep expertise. You bring 10+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, executive communications, employee engagement or change management—and you’re curious about what's next.
You’re proficient in AI tools and explore how emerging technology can make communications more personalized and impactful.
You’re fluent with digital platforms—LinkedIn, Glassdoor and Indeed—and know how to use them for both external audiences and internal engagement.
Exceptional writing, storytelling and editing skills. Whether you’re crafting executive messages, change communications, culture campaigns or HR announcements, you simplify complexity, engage diverse audiences and inspire action.
You also have impeccable attention to detail and consistently deliver high-quality work.
Strategic thinking with a bias for action. You see the big picture and the small details—and know how to connect them.
You don’t get stuck in planning mode; you make things happen.
A builder’s mindset. You thrive in environments where you’re creating, not just maintaining.
You’re comfortable with ambiguity and energized by the opportunity to define what “great” looks like.
Collaborative spirit. You love working with cross-functional partners and know how to influence without authority.
You make other people’s work better.
A sense of humor and humanity. You understand that behind every policy and program are real people with real lives.
You communicate with warmth, empathy and the occasional well-placed emoji or clever pun.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute internal communications and change management strategies: Translate complex organizational changes into clear, colleague-centered communication and engagement plans that drive understanding, adoption and trust. Establish frameworks and best practices that ensure communications are proactive, transparent and consistent throughout periods of change.
Lead and evolve our HR communications strategy: Partner with HR leaders to shape best-in-class communication strategies, tactics and materials covering everything from showcasing our talent strategy in action to informing colleagues about performance management, Total Rewards and large-scale people initiatives. Help the HR organization connect the dots across the function and organization, challenge conventional approaches and help drive communications that are clear, engaging and actionable. Manage and coach the Manager of HR Communications to deliver day-to-day communications with a consistently high bar for quality and impact.
Build and execute a communications and engagement strategy to strengthen our culture: Partner with HR to design an employee engagement strategy that fosters collaboration, belonging and energy. Create scalable programs, campaigns and tools that bring our purpose, vision and values to life and help colleagues see their role in achieving organizational goals.
Lead communications for our offices: Serve as lead writer and editor for local newsletters and other office communications, partnering with the Manager of HR Communications to keep colleagues informed and connected. Also serve as the primary communications partner to Office Managing Leaders (OMLs), equipping them with consistent messaging for everyday and high-stakes situations in coordination with Security and the Crisis and Issues Management teams as needed.
Strengthen our employer brand—inside and out: Bring our employee value proposition and purpose, vision and values to life through high-impact communications for internal and external audiences. Partner closely with Brand and HR to align messaging, elevate our presence and support key employer brand initiatives. This includes drafting and reviewing content for key digital channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Glassdoor, Indeed and our careers site, which serve both external brand building and internal engagement.
Support executive communications: Draft internal communications for the CHRO to increase visibility and engagement, partnering with the External Communications team to develop bylines, materials for speaking events and interviews in addition to social media content. Also draft internal communications for functional leaders as needed.
Act as a trusted partner and leader within the team: Serve as a key thought partner to the Senior Director of Strategy and Internal Communications and Corporate Affairs leadership, stepping in as needed to provide leadership and continuity across priorities.
Completes other duties as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with all policies and standards.