Senior Manager, Business Communication

Grainger Businesses • Lake Forest, IL

8d • $123,000 - $205,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

Lead the development of strategic internal and leader communications, company communications programs, and support external communications as needed for one of Grainger's key business functions. Manage audiences and partners simultaneously, while working collaboratively with leaders and team members in different positions from Executive leadership to the company's non-exempt team member base. Support the highest priority and most complex communications for the function.
This is a high-visibility leadership role supporting the teams responsible for sales and inventory management, as well as brand, online experience and assortment. This leader will use strategic communications to engage frontline and customer-facing teams in our strategy and ensure they are equipped to consistently represent the Grainger brand. You will provide communications support that advances operational performance, alignment and business outcomes of the function. Additional responsibilities include leadership messaging, functional storytelling and organizational change communications, and support of issues. This role operates in a fast-paced, matrixed corporate environment and supports senior leaders, business partners, and field-facing communications partners. You will also support urgent issues or crisis communications as business needs require.
This is a Hybrid position requiring 3 days per week onsite at the Lake Forest, IL headquarters.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, business or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of experience providing strategic communications counsel for large, complex projects and change initiatives by understanding the needs of different audiences
• Experience applying multiple communication methods and channels to address different audience and business needs.
• Experience partnering with stakeholders across organizational levels and advising senior leaders on communication strategies and executive messaging.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment and/or Fortune 500 company across multiple facilities or regions and leading large-scale change communications projects.

Nice To Haves

• Experience partnering with field communicators or distributed workforces preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, messaging, and coordination for functional communications and communications involving multiple audiences, stakeholders, or business issues.
• Lead work and projects including message development for key priorities and initiatives, creation and support of engagement strategies, large meeting leader communications support, company strategy deployment, and translating and tailoring relevant corporate content for distinct audience needs.
• Provide communications counsel and messaging support to functional senior leadership, including executive and leader communications, external communications, and communications associated with business priorities, organizational changes, functional issues, crises, or other matters requiring coordinated communication support.
• Develop and coordinate communications between senior leaders, mid-level managers, and non-exempt team members to support organizational alignment, employee engagement, and customer service.
• Create communication playbooks, templates, and related resources that enable leaders to communicate with their teams and allocate communications resources based on business priorities, audience needs, and communication requirements.
• Measure communication activities and channels using available data and feedback, recommend changes based on results, and provide strategic oversight and direction to teams managing operational, deployment, and change communications.
• Build and maintain external stakeholder relationships that support Grainger's reputation and awareness of its strategy and local presence; assess communication activities for potential reputational impacts, escalate identified risks to appropriate leaders, and handle sensitive or proprietary company information.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
• 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date)
• 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

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