Internal Communications & Employee Experience Partner

ABOUT US

Ascend is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with over $4 billion in assets. With an occupation-based field of membership, Ascend is focused on the expansion and diversification of the select employee groups it serves, which creates greater security for the credit union and its member-owners. Approximately 650 employees serve more than 250,000 members from 28 Middle Tennessee branch locations, Regional Operations Center, Teller Center and Corporate Headquarters. Ascend recognizes that its employees are critical to the credit union’s sustained success and future growth. Our employees are the face of the credit union and their personal successes fuel the success of the team. Through collaboration between employees, management, our membership and our Board, we fuel an engine that propels the credit union forward.

WHAT WE OFFER

Thank you for your interest in a career with Ascend Federal Credit Union! Being employed by Ascend is vastly different than just holding a job. The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits and a unique work culture. The credit union’s commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership. Ascend’s vision to be the most loved credit union in our market by employees and members alike has earned the credit union distinctions including Federal Credit Union of the Year (NAFCU, 2015), Best Credit Union to Work For (2016-2025) and Training MVP Awards (2015-2026).

WHAT YOU WILL DO EVERYDAY

The Internal Communications & Employee Experience Partner is a strategic individual contributor responsible for shaping how employees experience and connect with the organization through communications, technology, and meaningful employee experiences. As the credit union's primary internal communications partner, this role serves as the voice of the organization for employees. The position develops and executes communication strategies that keep employees informed, connected, and aligned with organizational priorities, business strategy, culture, and values. The role partners closely with executives, leaders across the organization, and the People team to translate complex business and People priorities into clear, compelling, and engaging communications. The role also owns key employee experience programs and activities, including the employee volunteer program, annual employee events, service awards, recognition initiatives, and other culture-building experiences.This is a highly collaborative, hands-on individual contributor role for an exceptional writer and communicator who is equally comfortable developing strategy, advising executives, creating content, leveraging technology, managing communication channels, and bringing employee experiences to life.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Enterprise Internal Communications for Employees 

• Serve as the organization’s primary internal communications partner and trusted advisor to leaders across the organization.
• Develop and execute enterprise-wide internal communications strategies aligned with organizational priorities, business strategy, culture, and values.
• Own the internal communications calendar and coordinate communications across functions to ensure employees receive timely, relevant, and consistent information.
• Develop and manage communications across multiple channels, including email, intranet, digital platforms, employee newsletters, video, presentations, and other emerging communication technologies. 
• Establish and maintain a consistent organizational voice, tone, and communication standards.
• Translate complex information and organizational priorities into communications that are clear, accessible, relevant, and meaningful to employees.
• Lead communications for major organizational initiatives, strategic priorities, organizational changes, and other significant employee-impacting developments.
• Develop manager communications, toolkits, talking points, FAQs, and other resources that help leaders effectively communicate with their teams.

Executive & Leadership Communications

• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to executives and senior leaders.
• Develop executive communications, including leadership messages, enterprise updates, presentations, videos, town halls, fireside chats, and other employee-facing leadership forums.  Partner with executives to develop authentic messaging, talking points, presentations, and communication approaches that effectively connect leaders with employees.
• Help leaders communicate organizational strategy and priorities in ways that employees understand and can connect to their day-to-day work.
• Create opportunities for employees to hear directly from leaders and ask questions, supporting transparency, connection, and trust.
• Counsel leaders on communication timing, audience, channels, tone, and approach.

People & HR Communications

• Serve as the primary internal communications partner for the People/HR function.
• Partner with People leaders to develop communication strategies for People programs, policies, initiatives, and employee programs.
• Translate People priorities into compelling employee communications, campaigns, manager resources, and digital content.
• Support communications for key areas such as talent, performance management, learning and development, benefits, recognition, culture, employee programs, and other People initiatives. Partner closely with the Talent Management and Engagement leader, who owns the organization’s employee engagement strategy and Gallup program, to communicate engagement priorities, support action plans, and encourage employee participation.
• Ensure People communications are coordinated with broader enterprise messaging and organizational priorities.

Employee Experience & Community Engagement

• Lead key employee experiences and programs that support connection, recognition, culture, and the employee experience. 
• Own and manage the organization’s employee volunteer program, including program strategy, communications, participation campaigns, partnerships, scheduling, technology platform, and ongoing administration.
• Develop opportunities for employees to connect with and contribute to the communities in which the organization operates. 
• Plan and execute annual employee events, service awards, recognition programs, celebrations, and other culture-building experiences. 
• Develop communication and engagement plans that support employee experiences from initial announcement through execution and follow-up.
• Partner with leaders and cross-functional teams to create meaningful, well-executed experiences that reflect the organization’s culture and values. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the employee experience through communication, recognition, volunteerism, community involvement, and connection.
• Evaluate participation, feedback, and other insights to continuously improve employee experiences and programs.

Digital Communications & Technology

• Serve as a technology-savvy communications professional who understands how employees consume information and how digital tools can improve communication and connection.
• Own and continuously improve internal communication channels and platforms. 
• Evaluate and recommend communication technologies, tools, and approaches that improve the employee experience and effectiveness of internal communications. 
• Leverage digital platforms, multimedia, video, collaboration tools, AI-enabled tools, and other technologies to create modern, engaging employee communications.
• Use data, analytics, employee feedback, and channel insights to evaluate communication effectiveness and continuously improve the employee communication experience. 
• Stay current on emerging internal communications technologies, trends, and best practices.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Serve as a highly skilled writer and editor for the organization’s internal communications.
• Develop compelling content across a variety of formats and audiences, adapting tone and messaging appropriately for employees, managers, executives, and other stakeholders.
• Tell stories that connect employees to the organization’s strategy, culture, people, accomplishments, and purpose.
• Edit and enhance communications developed by leaders and subject-matter experts to ensure clarity, consistency, and engagement.
• Develop creative approaches to make important information easier to understand, remember, and act upon.
• Read all internal publications including HUB and Possibilities. Perform other duties as required or assigned. 

Please note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The organization reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties at any time, with or without notice, to meet business needs.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field required
• 5-8 years of progressive experience in internal communications, employee communications, corporate communications, employee experience, or a related field required
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to write for a variety of audiences and communication channels.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to advise and influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communication strategies, not simply produce communications.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and communication channels simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing employee events, recognition programs, volunteer programs, or other employee experiences.
• Strong digital and technology skills, with the ability to quickly learn and leverage new communication platforms and tools.
• Experience with intranet, employee communication platforms, collaboration tools, video, digital content, and other communication technologies.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to understand complex organizational issues and translate them into clear employee communications.
• Experience working with HR/People teams and communicating People programs and initiatives is strongly preferred.

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Ascend Federal Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer.