Director, Internal Communications

At Curriculum Associates, we believe in the potential of every child and are changing the face of education technology with award-winning learning programs like i-Ready that serve a third of the nation’s K–8 students. For more than 50 years, our commitment to making classrooms better places, serving educators, and supporting accessible learning experiences for all students has driven the continuous improvement of our innovative programs. Our team of more than 2,500 employees is composed of lifelong learners who stand behind this mission, working tirelessly to serve the educational community with world-class programs and support every day.

The Director, Internal Communications will be responsible for overseeing and driving the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies that align with the organization's goals. This leadership role requires expertise in organizational relations, brand reputation management, internal and employee communications, and crisis communication planning. The Director will collaborate with cross-functional teams and external communications to ensure consistent messaging, effective collaboration, and foster a unified corporate identity.

The Director will oversee the way employees receive and share information about CA and their employment, from corporate storytelling to internal updates on strategy and employee benefits. This role also leads CA’s employer brand strategy by authentically representing life at CA to attract and retain top talent. This will be accomplished by creative story telling and brand representation both internal and external to the organization. The Director sets policy and governance on internal communications and information cascade and enforces those policies across CA.

By honoring the people and stories that shape CA’s culture and uphold its values, this team elevates CA’s brand reputation as a world-class employer and supports mission-focused internal communications that keep all team members aligned and informed.

The impact you'll have: 

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Design and implement a comprehensive internal communications plan that aligns with the company’s goals, mission, and culture.
• Oversee the creation and rollout of company intranet, establishing plans for governance and ensuring content is accessible and effective for diverse employee groups.
• Innovating new methods of communication to adapt to remote, hybrid, or global workforces.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all internal platforms and channels.

Employer Brand Media and Public Relations

• Lead cohesive employer brand function aligned with business objectives that honors employee voices and experiences.
• Develop and implement strategic external communication plans to enhance CA’s top employer reputation and talent brand.
• Engage with media to further “employer of choice” goals, prepping and elevating executives for employer brand thought leadership opportunities.

Executive Communication

• Collaborate with CEO and executive team to craft clear, impactful messaging for employees and ensure transparent communication.
• Lead all-employees CEO communications, including written update support and live Company Update presentations.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align communication initiatives with business objectives.
• Support communication efforts during organizational changes, developing messaging to reduce uncertainty, align employees, and build trust during transitions.
• Establish trust by ensuring employees are kept informed about business priorities, successes, and challenges.

Crisis Communication

• Manage internal messaging during crises, such as business disruptions, public relations issues, or emergencies, in partnership with external comms and IST comms.
• Lead the development of internal crisis communication strategies and protocols.
• Support executive communications to ensure employees receive timely and accurate guidance and information.
• Align internal and external communications to maintain consistency and credibility.

Employee Engagement and Culture Building

• Drive initiatives to foster employee engagement, trust, and alignment with the organization’s vision
• Oversee the creation of engaging, relevant content for internal audiences.
• Highlight employee achievements, company milestones, and initiatives to boost morale.
• Ensure internal narratives reflect CA’s vision, mission, and values.
• Promote company culture through internal campaigns, storytelling, and recognition.
• Use employee feedback results and input to inform communication plans.

Measurement and Continuous Improvement

• Establish KPIs to measure the success of communication efforts. (e.g., employee engagement, message retention, open rates).
• Monitor and measure the effectiveness of communication strategies to improve engagement and outcomes.
• Ensure employees feel heard and informed through continuous improvements to communication practices.
• Analyze data and prepare reports for senior leadership on the impact of communication initiatives.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor a team of communication professionals.
• Allocate resources effectively and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Oversee budgets and ensure the effective use of funds in communication activities

Who we're looking for: 

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey messages both internally and externally.
• Ability to lead and inspire a team of communication professionals to execute communication strategies effectively and in alignment with brand voice and business objectives.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing crisis communication plans to effectively manage and mitigate communication risks during crises or emergencies.
• Ability to develop communication strategies aligned with organizational goals and objectives.
• Skill in identifying and prioritizing key stakeholders, both internal and external, and tailoring communication approaches to meet their needs and expectations.
• Proficiency in leveraging digital platforms and data to enhance and measure effectiveness of communication
• Skill in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences to effectively convey the organization's impact, mission, and vision.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with teams such as research, product, HR, legal, and executive leadership to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards in communication practices, including transparency, honesty, and integrity.
• Awareness of cultural nuances, political landscape, and sensitivity to diverse perspectives when crafting communication strategies for national audiences.
• Experience in developing and managing communication budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to achieve desired outcomes.

Required Education and Experience: 

• BA in communications or education or equivalent experience. An advanced degree in communications, education, business administration, or a related field is preferred.
• 10 years of experience in communications, k-12 education, public relations, or related fields.
• Previous experience in a leadership or management role, with a track record of successfully leading teams and managing complex communication initiatives.

Benefits and Pay Range:

Pay Range – This role’s range is $110,500 - $196,500. The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that Curriculum Associates considers in making compensation decisions based on our Compensation Philosophy. Actual base pay within that range will vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, prior experience and relevant skill sets. At Curriculum Associates, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances for each case. This role is also eligible to participate in the company bonus plan. The Company recognizes that minimum wage varies by location and will ensure all compensation decisions comply with applicable state and local laws.

Benefits – Benefit eligible employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees can enroll in our company’s 401k plan and receive an employer match. Employees have access to a flexible vacation and sick policy in addition to twelve paid holidays and a

winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's, as well as a number of additional perks and benefits.