Internal Communications Strategist

Responsible for developing and implementing the strategies and programs to communicate the company’s business objectives, culture, and values to the Team Leaders, Team Members, suppliers, and vendors. Partners with the senior leaders, Public Relations (PR), Team Member Services (TMS), and other departments to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate the strategic internal communications. Designs, edits, and oversees the distribution of the internal communications materials via company newsletters, the intranet, emails, webcasts, team meetings, conferences, and events. Develops the standards and guidelines for style and content. Provides guidance to the senior leaders regarding corporate announcements. Monitors the communications effectiveness to ensure clear message delivery and understanding.

Responsibilities:

• Engages with TMS to understand and co-develop communications strategies in support of Recruitment & Employment Brand, Benefits, and Learning & Development.
• Engages with the supported teams, Team Leaders, and Team Members to understand the gaps in current understanding, the effectiveness of ongoing communications efforts, and the perception of needs going forward.
• Develops, writes, and edits multiplatform content in support of Team Member storytelling.
• Develops and executes communications and initiatives that illustrate how Team Members bring WFM’s core values and higher purpose to life every day.
• Writes and prepares articles, web postings, blogs, and other communications documents for internal release, ensuring consistency with WFM’s artistic and content guidelines.
• Collaborates cross-functionally, with Public Relations, TMS, and other stakeholders to understand communications needs, timing, and expectations.
• Collaborates with stakeholders across the company to develop, organize, and execute Team Member events and experiences.
• Researches, writes, and edits the company’s communications, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly publications.
• Works with channels teams to post / update intranet content.
• Monitors internal channels, including enterprise social network and intranet, for risk-associated content (including union organization), and support Communications leaders in response efforts.
• Supports the crisis response efforts, ensuring effective internal communications and integration of messages with PR, Government Affairs, and other stakeholders.
• Supports the local / regional community outreach efforts.
• Supports efforts to integrate / align communications tools with Amazon.

Skills:

• Ability to think creatively, good organization and execution skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Solid SharePoint and CMS experience.
• Good understanding of multi-media, video content, photography and related communications technologies.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and listening
• Proven ability to consolidate, integrate, and deliver complex and business critical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Able to quickly build consensus.
• With guidance, presents information and responds to questions in a one-on-one setting with internal and external customers.
• Tailors communication approach to specific situations and audiences.
• Identifies the gaps in audience understanding and develops / delivers gap-filling messages.
• Writes, develops, and delivers compelling, accessible, and easily understood messages in all types of media.
• Understanding of all media types, including, but not limited to, print, digital, social media, video.
• Ability to compose creative and compelling messages for a wide range of media platforms.
• Supports the team and cross-functional projects within a defined area of responsibility.
• Impacts the quality of own work and that of the team.
• Maintains positive working relationships with the supported functional stakeholders.
• Applies basic research, information gathering, and analytical skills to:
  • Select appropriate alternatives from defined options,
  • Collect required documentation and verify conformance with standards,
  • Assess accuracy of detailed information.

• Handles detailed, structured problems; identifying roadblocks to task completion.
• Uses the existing procedures to resolve standard problems.
• Working knowledge the strategy, goals and objectives of the company, business unit, and/or project.
• Identifies alignment / misalignment of the team’s project goals with larger organizational strategy, goals, and objectives.
• Understands WFM’s product mix, supply base, and retail operations.
• Understands WFM’s brand and key differentiators.

Education & Experience:

• BA/BS degree and 2-4 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs. Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.