Director, Labor and Manufacturing Communications

Ford • Dearborn, MI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters. With a career on the Ford Communications team, you can bring the message of our exciting innovations to the world! You’ll help build and protect our global reputation, build stakeholder trust and further our mission of becoming the world’s most trusted mobility company. You’ll be part of a dedicated organization delivering best-in-class, high-impact communications programs that support our innovations, industry leadership and commitment to social responsibility.

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of communications experience with a focus on manufacturing, labor relations and industrial operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism or related field.
• Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Exceptional proactive storytelling, media relations and crisis management skills.
• Proven experience supporting senior executives and leading teams.
• Well-developed business acumen and professional maturity.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external communications for Ford’s U.S. Manufacturing footprint, ensuring a strategic narrative across stakeholder audiences that builds employee confidence and trust and grows reputation.
• Partner with Labor Affairs and Manufacturing leaders to support the achievement of business objectives through communications.
• Serve as a People Leader, responsible for the development and high-performance output of a team of communications professionals.
• Develop and execute internal communications strategies to improve confidence in the Ford+ plan among U.S. hourly and salaried Manufacturing employees, particularly during footprint shifts and product timing changes. This includes overseeing major employee engagement initiatives.
• Establish new and refine existing communications channels to build trust between Manufacturing employees – before, during and after labor negotiations.
• Help drive a culture of respect, safety and quality in Ford Manufacturing sites.
• Build Ford’s reputation as the most American automaker, finding storytelling and engagement opportunities in new product launches, investments, employee profiles and data.
• Position Ford Manufacturing as a quality and innovation leader, including by establishing Ford Manufacturing’s Advanced Technology and Platforms (ATP) group as the industrial technology provider of choice.
• Grow advocacy for Ford in plant cities by showcasing the work of Ford Community Relations.
• Navigate the intersection of Labor Affairs, Manufacturing, Government Affairs, Supply Chain and Communications to build reputation and employee sentiment.
• Promote a culture of excellence and creativity.
• Embrace a leadership model that embeds team members in projects from inception, providing them with high-contact coaching and visibility.
• Proactively use AI for asset creation and workflow automation and apply Plan Do Check Adjust methodology to all major initiatives to ensure continuous improvement.
• Support plant communications coordinators as they manage employee communications and external storytelling in their communities.
• Give and receive performance reflections constructively to support the team’s development.
• Apply the right balance of structure and agility to maximize effectiveness.
• Continuously improve your functional competency and leadership behaviors.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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