Internal Communications Manager
Class: Management | Exempt status: Exempt | Grade: J
Under the direction of management, the Internal Communications Manager oversees internal communications strategies, channels and methods that advance the College’s communications goals with internal constituents, divisions and departments. This position serves as the point of contact for field inquiries and requests related to communicating and promoting events and happenings internally at the College. The Internal Communications Manager coordinates and manages the flow of promotional communication that is targeted to staff and partners with divisions such as Information Technology and Human Resources to update and improve technical aspects of communications infrastructure, tools, channels, and employee email lists, and collaborate on the creation of guidelines and protocols for staff understanding at all levels. This role serves as the College Advancement internal communications representative on committees that support and/or organize College-wide events. The Internal Communications Manager oversees and manages content and publication of InsidePCC, an internal communications medium designed for staff.
Leadership competencies
- Advances Racial and Social Justice
Actively works toward the elimination of racism and social oppression; utilizes culturally responsive practices and processes to achieve equitable student and employee outcomes - Drives Vision and Purpose
Participates in the creation of and executes a vision for the College’s mission balancing compliance with flexible, multimodal, inclusive delivery of financial services. - Drives Engagement
Initiates and drives authentic exploration and engagement cross-departmentally to arrive at collaborative solutions that lead to employee and student success. - Accelerates Agility and Innovation
Analyzes systems, policies and practices and commits to continuous program improvement through the strategic use of culturally responsive data. - Builds Partnerships
Partners to solve problems, adapts communication and approaches, supports healthy conflict, and develops strong relationships with associated areas to advance institutional goals.
Our mission
To support student success by delivering access to quality education while advancing economic development and promoting sustainability in a collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our vision for equitable student success
Recognizing the unique value, perspectives, strengths, and challenges of every person who comes to PCC for education, all students will achieve their academic goals through equitable support, quality instruction, clear guidance to persist, and an unwavering commitment to completion shared by the entire College community.
Yes to Equitable Student Success (YESS)
Our roadmap to dismantling barriers and building inclusive systems of education and support.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversees management and content of InsidePCC. Creates, manages, and disseminates a weekly digest of news and other content posted through InsidePCC that promotes events, exhibits, awards, and more related to PCC staff.
- Creates a mechanism for garnering news to promote within InsidePCC, and partners with key Public Relations, Marketing and Communications staff and College communicators to collaboratively share news with one another.
- Creates an inventory of all MyPCC internal communications tools and a directory of user access. Designs protocols for how to use each internal communications tool and distributes it broadly throughout the College for understanding.
- Serves as the key point of contact for the College to field “how to” inquiries related to using MyPCC tools; helps educate those inquiring about how to use these tools and who they reach.
- Attends district-wide committee and task force meetings at the College and collaborates on promotional internal communications needs including district-wide events such as PCC signature events, commencement, and In-Service.
- Applies the lens of social justice and racial equity to internal communications work, using the framework of PCC’s Strategic Plan as appropriate.
- Partners closely with other College Advancement managers to share information and news. Collaborates on the shaping of a strategic communications calendar of College events and happenings and checklist of how and when news will be broadly disseminated.
- Serves on the College’s crisis communications team.
- Actively participates in College Advancement and Public Relations & Community Engagement meetings.
- Supports special projects as assigned by management.
- May supervise administrative services professional, paraprofessionals, technical support, and/or classified staff and perform both direct and indirect supervision through subordinates.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Work environment includes frequent disruptions and changes in priorities. Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Working hours may vary and occasional evening or weekend work is required. Frequent travel to other locations is required. Must have a valid driver license to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Oregon and possess an acceptable driving record. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in English, Communications, Business Administration, Education, Public Affairs, Public Administration, or related area. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in strategic internal communications, including two years (2) of lead or supervisory experience. Successful completion of PCC LEAD Academy or a comparable external leadership training program may substitute for up to 6 months of lead or supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Communications and writing for accessibility with a general audience;
- Principles and practices of integrated, strategic communications in large organizations;
- Public relations and public affairs principles;
- Marketing principles;
- Project management principles and practices;
- Multiple modalities of distributing information, including webpages, emails, and notices;
- Supervisory principles.
Skills in:
- Writing for a general audience in an accessible style;
- Developing and managing projects;
- Preparing a variety of communications materials that can be strategically tailored for a multitude of channels and platforms;
- Developing and maintaining relationships with internal constituents and clients;
- Navigating complex situations with multiple agendas;
- Facilitation of group communications processes.
Ability to:
- Communicate effectively with all levels of management, staff and internal constituents and stakeholders;
- Work effectively with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college staff;
- Apply analysis and action for racial/social justice grounded processes and outcomes;
- Actively support development of competencies related to principles of intercultural communication and culturally responsive practices;
- Be collaborative and supportive as part of a larger team while also being self-directed.
New: 10/2021
Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.