We have ambitious plans, and we know the most critical step is building an incredible team that reflects the diverse fabric of our nation and embodies our values. Our team is made up of people who are equal parts dreamers and doers. We are people who care as much about how we achieve our goals as we do about the goals themselves. Our values drive our team and are instilled in the work this Foundation does every day. We are also committed to creating an anti-racist organization in order to do our part to help combat racism and inequity in all forms, in communities across our nation and around the world. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of Role

As the Senior Manager of Internal and Stakeholder Communications, you will be responsible for developing and executing the internal communications strategy for The Obama Foundation, as well as serving internal Foundation departments as your clients - both to ensure alignment with overall Foundation messaging and develop prompt and responsive materials that meet broader communication needs.

You will be a key member of the communications leadership team and work closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders to ensure that all internal communication is clear, consistent, and aligned with the Foundation’s goals and values. You will be responsible for creating and delivering compelling content that engages employees, aligns with our goals and values, and strengthens our culture.

As the Director of Internal and Stakeholder Communications, you’ll be reporting directly to the Vice President of Communications.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Craft and implement comprehensive internal and stakeholder communication plans, including key messaging, target audiences, and communication channels.

• Oversee and support the Foundation’s internal speakers bureau and stakeholder communications, and work with the Vice President of Public Engagement, Development team and Editorial Director to develop a proactive strategy to ensure that speakers are booked at appropriate venues and armed with approved talking points. Work closely with PE and Development to align communications with donors, community members, and 44 alumni.

• Oversee production of the Foundation’s annual report.

• Own the Foundation’s “Brand Center,” the internal resource for staff, to include The Foundation’s Style Guide and other brand narrative resources, under the direction of the Vice President of Communications and ensure institution-wide adherence to style guidelines. Collaborate with the Director of Design to ensure cohesion with the Foundation’s Brand Guidelines.

• Oversee visitor-based communications strategy and execution at the Obama Presidential Center that ensures a clear and impactful experience, whether it is in pamphlets, posters, newsletters or signage. Work closely in partnership with the OPC Operations and Museum teams, Programs, Development and Design teams to deliver a holistic customer journey aligned with our mission and values. Manage future on-site OPC communications team.

• Assist in developing crisis communications plans to effectively address internal and external issues, as well as ensure that all employees are informed and up-to-date.

• Create or approve content for various internal departments that communicate with external stakeholders. Materials include but are not limited to newsletters, emails, presentations and printed visitor materials.

• Develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure that internal communications are timely and relevant.

• Work with the People team to identify and promote opportunities for employee engagement and help foster a positive Foundation culture.

• Develop and establish analytics based on key performance indicators to monitor and improve the effectiveness of internal communications, and making recommendations for improvement based on feedback and data analysis.

• Other tasks as assigned by the manager.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS

• 10+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or related field

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong understanding of internal communication best practices

• Ability to tailor communication to different audiences

• Project management and organizational skills

• Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms. Experience with Salesforce is a plus.

• Stakeholder management and relationship building skills

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

The salary range for this role is between $104,310 and $130,435.

This is a hybrid role based at our Chicago office in Hyde Park. #LI-Hybrid #LI-SF1

Foundation Values

The Foundation Values are Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.