Communications Lead

Job Title: Communications Lead
Location: Candidates must be in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Virginia
Remote: Yes, but with occasional travel to Columbus, OH and Merrillville, IN, approximately once a month.
Period: 01/27/2025 – 12/31/2025 (strong likelihood of extension)
Hours/Week: 40 hours
Rate: $90 - $95/hour
Contract Type: W-2 only, no visa sponsorships or subcontracting

Scope of Services:

The Communications Lead will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing communication strategies to ensure the smooth execution of the Workday Time Tracking Implementation project. This role requires a high level of collaboration with various stakeholders, including project managers, HR, IT, and other departments, to ensure consistent, clear, and effective communication throughout the lifecycle of the project. The Communications Lead will provide proactive updates, manage change communications, and ensure all stakeholders are informed about the progress, risks, and upcoming milestones.

Role, Responsibilities & Deliverables:

1. Communication Strategy Development

• Develop a comprehensive communications strategy for the Workday Time Tracking Implementation, aligning with project objectives and timelines.
• Identify key audiences, stakeholders, and messaging to ensure all parties are informed and aligned.

2. Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for communication-related needs during the project.
• Ensure that internal and external stakeholders (HR, payroll teams, IT, consultants, leadership) are regularly updated on project status, progress, and key milestones.
• Craft clear and concise communication for executive and operational updates, ensuring that technical details are communicated in a non-technical manner where needed.

3. Change Management and Engagement

• Work closely with the Change Management team to develop communication plans that support system changes and user adoption.
• Lead communication efforts for training schedules, new system features, and any potential disruptions during the implementation.
• Coordinate with the project team to create FAQs, job aids, and support materials for end users.

4. Risk and Issue Management

• Monitor communication channels for any emerging risks or concerns and escalate to leadership as necessary.
• Manage sensitive communications, particularly regarding any delays, changes to the project plan, or issues with the implementation.

5. Content Creation and Dissemination

• Develop communication materials, such as emails, newsletters, presentations, roadshow presentations, Leader and Employee guides, short video (overviews, benefits, testimonials) and reports to keep all stakeholders informed.
• Ensure all messaging is consistent, clear, and aligned with the project’s objectives and timelines.

6. Feedback and Reporting

• Collect feedback from stakeholders about communication effectiveness and make adjustments to improve clarity, engagement, and responsiveness.
• Provide regular reports on communication effectiveness and track communication milestones against the overall project timeline.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a communications role, preferably in large-scale HRIS or enterprise-level system implementations.
• Proven experience managing communication strategies and leading communications efforts for complex projects.
• Experience with Workday or other HRIS implementations is a plus.
• Strong understanding of change management principles and how they relate to communication planning.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams to drive alignment on messaging and project updates.

Key Skills:

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft messages for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to manage and coordinate with diverse stakeholder groups, ensuring all voices are heard and all needs are met.
• Change Management: Knowledge of change management processes and how communications play a vital role in successful system adoption.
• Project Management: Familiarity with project management methodologies (Agile or Waterfall), ensuring communications align with project goals and timelines.
• Problem Solving: Ability to proactively address communication challenges and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar certification is a plus.
• Experience with Workday, HRIS, or other enterprise software communications is preferred.