Sr. HR Communications Specialist

Summary: 

We are seeking a highly organized, strategic, and experienced Sr. HR Communications Specialist to elevate the impact and consistency of our internal HR communications. This is a critical role that will focus on the strategy, coordination, trafficking, and integration of HR communication initiatives across diverse programs and business units, ensuring cohesive and impactful employee experience. This role will partner closely with our existing corporate communications team on HR content creation and design. In addition, this role will provide the essential communications workstream project management skills and capabilities to connect the dots, manage timelines, and ensure our messages resonate effectively and consistently across the organization. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES 

What You'll Do: 

Strategic Communications Program Management: 

• Develop and manage comprehensive communication plans for major HR initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall HR and company objectives. 

• Act as the central point of contact for HR communication requests and projects, triaging needs, setting priorities, and allocating time effectively. 

• Proactively identify opportunities for communication integration and synergy across different HR functions (e.g., connecting Performance Management with Businesses, HQ and ensuring consistent benefits messaging across all Rakuten International orgs). 

• Partner with various HR teams (e.g., Global Talent Management & Inclusion, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Employee Engagement) to understand their communication needs and translate them into actionable project plans. 

• Create and manage the annual HR editorial calendar 

• Project manage the communication aspects related to outcomes and initiatives stemming from the Organizational Health Survey (OHS) each year, ensuring progress is tracked and communicated effectively. 

Cross-Functional Comms Initiative Trafficking & Coordination: 

• Lead the coordination and seamless delivery of complex, cross-cutting HR communication initiatives that span multiple remits and business units. 

• Ensure seamless coordination between overarching company programs and specific HR team remits, creating a unified narrative. 

• Manage timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations across a diverse portfolio of communication workstreams, from concept to execution. 

• Stakeholder Management: Serve as a Communications SME to HR leaders on communication strategy and best practices for project execution. 

• Build strong relationships with the existing HR stakeholders leveraging their expertise in content creation while providing the strategic framework and project oversight. 

• Facilitate regular communication and synchronization meetings with key stakeholders to track progress, identify roadblocks, and ensure successful delivery. 

Talent Acquisition Marketing Program Development: 

• Programmatically address branding and marketing communication needs for Talent Acquisition initiatives, including the summer intern program, campus recruiting and other bespoke events.  

• Internal talent program promotion and engagement across various internal channels by developing and executing a communications strategy that maximize employee participation and impact. 

• Collaborate with the Corporate Communication Media Manager to ensure consistent messaging and engagement around our employer brand values and initiatives across all internal and external platforms. 

Onboarding/Offboarding:  

• Identify and address gaps in onboarding communications and work with relevant teams (e.g., Global Talent Management & Inclusion, HR Services) to optimize local-level onboarding messaging and experience to include pre-boarding, onboarding, and offboarding. 

• One-pagers for candidates (benefits, L&D, DEI, perks by office, culture, etc.) 

• One-pagers for onboarding (pre and post hire) 

QUALIFICATIONS/MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent years of progressive experience, in Communications. 

• 3-5 years in project management, program management, or strategic communications, preferably within a large, complex organization. 

• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex communication projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

• Exceptional organizational skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to connect disparate initiatives. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders at all levels without direct authority. 

• Experience with project management methodologies and tools (e.g., Monday, Jira, Trello, Smartsheets) is a plus. 

• A strategic mindset with the ability to see the "big picture" and identify opportunities for integration and improvement. 

• Proactive, self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. 

BONUS POINTS 

• PMP or other project management certification. 

• Strong understanding of HR functions and their communication needs (e.g., talent acquisition, total rewards, performance management, employee engagement). 

• Experience in a global organization, particularly with understanding regional communication nuances. 

• Experience utilizing change management principles. 

• Familiarity with marketing principles applied to internal communications. 

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