Corporate Communications Specialist

at  USG Corporation

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a communications professional to execute our corporate communications strategy, working to advance our corporate goals and protect our brand across North America.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Communications, and based in Chicago in a hybrid of a remote and in-person role, this person will proactively manage the editorial calendar and content creation process as well as develop content to support the Corporate Communications strategy focused on advancing the company business goals. This person will also perform critical process-oriented tasks and thrive with improving efficiency and using data to analyze and assess actions with a goal of continuous improvement.
The right fit for this role exhibits personal initiative while supporting the team as a collaborative teammate. The USG Corporate Communications team members value collaboration and support for each other’s roles, while being able to work with a significant amount of autonomy. We understand this approach is critical to the overall success of our individual careers, our team, and our company. You are organized, responsible and comfortable asking questions and working in a fast-paced environment that requires flexibility.
You can see the bigger picture and can deliver materials that don’t simply do exactly what’s requested, but what will move the needle. You are an excellent task manager and are a hands-on executor. You have incredible project management skills and are both a detail-oriented pro and someone who knows how to prioritize tasks to accomplish the goal. You thrive with processes and enjoy checking items off your to-do-list, finding joy in the accomplishments of another task that will drive forward business goals.
Day-to-day work will range from writing a short internal communications campaign plan related to an important project, to editing content written by freelancers, updating and sharing the editorial calendar in real-time, preparing and posting intranet articles, managing cross-functional processes for internal storytelling, following team processes with ease, and offering suggestions for improvements.
Other tasks could include: representing the Corporate Communications team at project management meetings, supporting event planning for major company activities such as town halls or external events, writing press releases, turning external content into internal resources, developing and executing a company internal newsletter, or related. You preferably have experience putting together high-quality content, from articles to presentations and are comfortable using systems like Canva, Adobe and others to develop content. You are also comfortable reviewing data and metrics to see what’s resonating with our audiences, what’s not, and are able to adjust as needed.

Responsibilities includes the following, and performs additional responsibilities as assigned:

• Write and develop internal and external content.
• Manage and assign freelance support of content.
• Support development and execution of communications plans with content development and campaign coordination.
• Develop visual assets and multimedia content to highlight our people, strategy and business through corporate news; share key communications initiatives across internal company platforms and external corporate social media channels via compelling storytelling.
• Manage content publishing and distribution of corporate communications materials across multiple internal channels that include the intranet, plant-based communications, email, and more.
• Support Employee Communications, Executive Communications, Media Relations, Public Affairs, and Issues & Crisis Management programs and projects, as needed.
• Understand channel/system offerings and limitations to maximize targeted and efficient communications.
• Support team, freelancers and other resources in managing communications style to ensure consistency in our corporate communications initiatives.
• Identify proactive, important, and balanced (all priorities covered) storytelling opportunities to drive attention, excitement and business results in support of communications strategic plan objectives.
• Partner with other internal functions to develop content that supports our business and drives employee engagement.
• Support team with employee events, speaking opportunities and other communications, including working with our business leaders to craft messages and develop presentations or other relevant content.
• Support the team with metrics including pulling and analyzing intranet metrics, internal surveys, public relations metrics, and other measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of communications programs and channels and help the entire team make data-informed decisions.

This role will report directly to the Senior Director, Corporate Communications and be based in Chicago.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field
• Ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of prior experience in Public Relations/Corporate Communications; in-house corporate communications strongly preferred.
• Self-starter, organized, motivated, strong ability to find solutions and work well within a team.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks on tight deadlines.
• Excellent writing skills and a proven track record building employer brands and crafting stories that highlight a company and its people
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, editing skills and the ability to work with executives and present to the company
• Proficiency in AP style
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills; ability to execute with ease with changing priorities, exhibiting flexibility, resilience and grace under pressure. Attention to detail and follow-through.
• Self-starter, organized, motivated, strong ability to find solutions
• Comfortable working with all levels of employees, from individual contributors to senior business leaders
• Proficient in MSOffice, including Word and PowerPoint, and able to learn communications platforms/systems. Google Analytics proficiency preferred.
• Display elements of our leadership team’s mantra of “Humble, Hungry, and Smart” from Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player.
  Midpoint may be adjusted based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and experience
  NOTE: USG follows a hybrid model where employees work in the corporate office 2 times per week, depending on the needs of the team.
  Rate of pay may be adjusted based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
  USG employees enjoy a number of benefit options for themselves and their families. These include two medical insurance options, as well as vision and dental coverage. The cost of these optional programs varies based on coverage level - employees generally pay 25% of the monthly premium cost, USG pays the rest. These coverage options are offered on the first day of employment with no waiting period.
  Additionally, USG employees enjoy both a 401(k) Investment Plan with company match and a pension plan. Beyond these main features, employees may also choose from a number of additional programs like life insurance, accident insurance, legal insurance, even pet insurance, just to name a few. USG also offers Quarterly (hourly) / Annual (salary) bonus potential for all employees based on performance metrics tied to safety, quality, and productivity. USG also provides employees with paid time off and paid holidays.
  Since 1902, Chicago-based USG has been a leader in producing innovative, award-winning products and systems to build everything from major commercial developments and residential housing to home improvements. USG’s employees are committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and quality in everything we do. Our steadfast commitment to the company’s core business values – innovation, quality, integrity, service, diversity, efficiency and safety – have helped us become the company we are today.
  EOE including disability/vetera

• Write and develop internal and external content.
• Manage and assign freelance support of content.
• Support development and execution of communications plans with content development and campaign coordination.
• Develop visual assets and multimedia content to highlight our people, strategy and business through corporate news; share key communications initiatives across internal company platforms and external corporate social media channels via compelling storytelling.
• Manage content publishing and distribution of corporate communications materials across multiple internal channels that include the intranet, plant-based communications, email, and more.
• Support Employee Communications, Executive Communications, Media Relations, Public Affairs, and Issues & Crisis Management programs and projects, as needed.
• Understand channel/system offerings and limitations to maximize targeted and efficient communications.
• Support team, freelancers and other resources in managing communications style to ensure consistency in our corporate communications initiatives.
• Identify proactive, important, and balanced (all priorities covered) storytelling opportunities to drive attention, excitement and business results in support of communications strategic plan objectives.
• Partner with other internal functions to develop content that supports our business and drives employee engagement.
• Support team with employee events, speaking opportunities and other communications, including working with our business leaders to craft messages and develop presentations or other relevant content.
• Support the team with metrics including pulling and analyzing intranet metrics, internal surveys, public relations metrics, and other measurement tools to evaluate the effectiveness of communications programs and channels and help the entire team make data-informed decisions