Communications Director (Talent Initiatives)

Job Title: Communications Director (Talent Initiatives)

Job ID: 27701868

Work Hybrid: Yes

Location: Houston, TX 77010

Other Location

Description

Why the Partnership
When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professional’s work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources and the Center for Houston’s Future.

Who We Are
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.

UpSkill Houston and Houston Back on Track are employer-led workforce development initiatives of the Partnership. We are working to ensure the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast region grows and develops the finest talent and skilled workforce in the world and increases economic opportunity and mobility for the region’s residents. UpSkill Houston focuses on the Workforce of the Future who are students and young adults navigating their way through the region’s education systems to obtain their first “good” middle-skill career. Houston Back on Track has a focus on the region’s low-wage workers who are already in the workforce to provide them with upskilling and reskilling opportunities into better jobs that provide greater economic mobility and opportunity.

Established in 2020, One Houston Together is the Partnership’s commitment to leverage the collective power of the business community to reduce inequities. Guided by a board-level committee and informed by the Partnership’s Racial Equity Principles and regional assessment, One Houston Together is a data-driven effort of 100+ businesses, institutions, and nonprofit organizations to drive change in two priority areas:

advance people of color into senior management roles and increase racial diversity on corporate boards; and
grow spending with Minority Business Enterprises.

Houston is the first major metro to take a data-driven approach to guide the collective action of the business community to advance equity and inclusion. The Partnership has established two workstreams for Talent Advancement and Supplier Diversity where Partnership members work with industry peers to align on regional indicators of progress, share best practices, and drive action to help make Houston one of the most equitable and inclusive business communities in the country.

We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!

Today, We Are Looking For
The Communications Director (Talent Initiatives) provides communication leadership to the Greater Houston Partnership’s major talent initiatives. The Director will be a hands-on strategic communicator and storyteller and will be in charge of planning, developing, and optimizing current and new communications strategies to increase the impact of and engagement with the UpSkill Houston, Houston Back on Track, and One Houston Together initiatives.

The Director is part of a small team of experienced, individual contributors that are working with employers and industries to advance progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion (One Houston Together) and to address the gap between the skills needed by the region’s employers and industries and the skills available among Houston’s workers (UpSkill Houston and Houston Back on Track).

Who You Are
You are a master organizer, communicator, and storyteller with an eagle eye for detail. You are equal parts dreamer and realist, recognizing that creativity and flexibility lead to big ideas, while time and resource management and quick decision-making are what bring dreams to life. You have a passion for working with the business community and improving the quality of life and opportunity for the residents of the region.

In this role, the communications director is responsible for developing and driving strategic communications that strengthen the value proposition of and engagement with the Partnership’s talent initiatives. The director communicates and builds strategic relationships with the Partnership’s members, the region’s employers, and other community stakeholders to engage them as champions and active participants in our talent initiatives. In addition, this role has responsibility for marketing and engaging students and adult learners to inspire them to pursue middle-skill careers. The role supports the shared digital and communications services that support the work of UpSkill Houston, Houston Back on Track, and One Houston Together, including social media, website updates and reporting/analysis, and digital media.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:

Develop and implement communications strategies to reach, inform and engage diverse audiences using a variety of tools, channels, and platforms. The strategies should create momentum and awareness of the work of UpSkill Houston, Houston Back on Track, and One Houston Together as well as test the effectiveness of communications activities.
Articulate and frame the value proposition of the Partnership’s talent initiatives to engage key stakeholders (business and industry leaders, education and community partners, and the general public) and develop message frameworks (based on user research) to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Define and continually evolve the narrative, content, and story development to highlight learnings and program offerings.
Develop compelling, innovative, and engaging content for e-newsletters, blog posts, social media and websites. Distill complex ideas into clear, persuasive, and easily understood ways.
Develop social media calendars, content, posts, and engagement for all platforms (including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram).
Manage the performance and development of a small team (which may include a direct report and interns) to deliver effectively and efficiently the communications activities of the talent initiatives, which includes managing, maintaining, and updating websites (including Houston.org, UpSkillHouston.org, UpSkillMyLife.org, PetrochemWorks.com) and CRM (Salesforce) activities to ensure continuous and effective engagement with our partners and stakeholders.
Review and analyze data and user research to assess the effectiveness of and improve communications activities and overall user experience. Provide oversight to the CRM activities of UpSkill Houston, Houston Back on Track, and One Houston Together to ensure effective engagement with our partners and stakeholders.
Serve as the primary project manager for internal and external communications efforts which includes overseeing and partnering with adjacent functions such as creative, marketing, and events as well as third-party partners.
Build relationships, work closely with, and manage cross-functional teams of internal stakeholders at the Partnership (e.g., Marketing and Communications, Membership, Research, Information Technology).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are desirable for job success:

Exceptional written and oral communications skills (composition, writing, grammar, editing, and presentation) —with a particular focus on consumer (versus business) communication.
Demonstrated ability to communicate that engages through persuasion, storytelling, framing and clearly articulating value propositions.
Ability to write both strategically and creatively under tight timelines. Strong social copywriter with an eye for design (but does not need to be a designer).
Strong analytical ability to solve problems, anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and implement solutions. A results-driven mindset that focuses on measurable outcomes.
Excellent customer service and relationship management skills and ability to leverage relationships at the right level (experience working with interns or volunteers a plus).
Strong skills in managing the performance and development of team members and providing clear feedback.
Proven project management abilities, including the ability to define and oversee the delivery of projects, manage resources, and drive successful performance.
Above average computer and internet proficiency and social media savvy (experience in user-centered design is a plus).
Proficiency in all MS Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Adobe Creative Suite experience is a plus.
Proficiency in using content management systems (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM) applications, and experience in maintaining and updating websites and social media platforms.

Behavioral Competencies- Attributes, Behaviors, and Characteristics (ABC’s):
The following behavior competencies include a myriad of defining qualifications, skills, and competencies required for job success:

Initiates, sustains, and moves work forward with minimal direction and achieve goals under tight deadlines; satisfies multiple priorities simultaneously.
Collaborates and builds bridges internally/externally; works with others to achieve common goals; and possesses the ability to work successfully with all levels of staff and management in a matrixed environment.
Takes a diplomatic approach to work and communications; and easily establishes credibility among a wide variety of stakeholders (i.e., business, nonprofit, educators, and policy/public sectors).
Exercises the mature judgment, tact, and professionalism appropriate to a corporate setting.
Possesses intellectual curiosity and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Continuously looks for ways to innovate, improve processes, and use resources cost-effectively.
Executes with excellence, consistently delivering on promises and meeting the highest standards; expects quality of himself/herself and of others.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Seven (7) plus years of relevant and progressively more responsible strategic communications and issues management experience, preferably in a communications agency or corporate communications setting (talent acquisition and development, workforce development a plus).
Three (3) plus years of digital marketing and/or social media management experience in a business or organizational setting.
Three (3) plus years of project management experience (a PM certificate or certification a plus).
Professional experience in journalism, corporate communications, and executive communications is a plus

Physical Requirements

Good vision and hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion.

Mental and Aptitude Requirements

Job requires the ability to hear, see, and talk; analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, planning, and decision-making skills.

Safety Requirements

Adhere to the office safety policies and procedures.

The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are treated without regard to such factors as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by law.