People Communications Strategist

Rice University • Houston, TX

6d • $85,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The People Communications Strategist is responsible for strengthening how Human Resources shares information with the campus community and external stakeholders. This role develops and delivers clear, coordinated, and engaging communications that support HR programs, services, and priorities, ensuring messaging is timely, accurate, and aligned across HR functional areas.

Serving as a central connector within HR, the People Communications Strategist partners closely with HR leaders and teams to translate complex information into accessible, audience-centered communications. The role supports both ongoing HR operations and major initiatives — including the HR Transformation — while building sustainable communication practices that improve understanding, trust, and engagement over time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.)
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, internal communications, or a closely related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively
• Strategic communication planning skills, including experience aligning messaging across multiple stakeholders or functional areas
• Excellent storytelling, editing, and content development capabilities
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and collaborate across teams
• Proficiency with digital communication tools and content management systems

Nice To Haves

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, internal communications, or a closely related field
• Experience supporting internal or organizational communications within Human Resources or a similarly complex organization
• Experience supporting large-scale initiatives, service changes, or organizational transformation through communications
• Experience in higher education or a decentralized organizational environment
• Familiarity with change communication or employee engagement practices

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a cohesive HR communication strategy that strengthens information flow and ensures consistent, timely messaging across HR functional areas
• Coordinate communication timing, messaging, and channels to reduce duplication, minimize confusion, and enhance clarity for campus audiences
• Serve as a communication advisor to HR leadership and functional teams on messaging, tone, and delivery
• Research, write, edit, and produce HR communications, including announcements, newsletters, web content, toolkits, FAQs, presentations, and leadership messages
• Translate complex policies, programs, and initiatives into accessible, audience-centered communications
• Ensure communications are accurate, engaging, and aligned with university brand and style standards
• Design, update, and maintain HR website content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with evolving services and priorities
• Partner with campus stakeholders to continuously improve content usability and organization
• Support communications for major HR initiatives, including the multi-year HR Transformation, by developing clear messaging, phased communications, and supporting materials
• Create communication tools such as FAQs, timelines, and resource guides to support understanding and adoption of new services or processes
• Ensure initiative-related communications are integrated into broader HR messaging and sustained beyond the initial rollout
• Partner with HR functional areas to plan, coordinate, and improve communications
• Provide guidance and best practices to HR colleagues to support consistent and effective communication practices
• Collaborate with campus communications partners as appropriate
• Monitor feedback and engagement to inform continuous improvement of HR communications
• Stay current on communication trends, tools, and best practices
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Hybrid position: This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration.

What This Job Offers

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