Director of Communications Opportunity Summary:As Head of Communications, you will serve as the enterprise's lead communications strategist and build the communications function at The W.W. Williams Company. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and partnering closely with the Executive Leadership Team, you will foster a high-performance team culture. You will shape and execute communication strategies that enhance and protect the reputation of the company and effectively engage a range of stakeholders, including employees across our branch network, customers, OEM and channel partners, and the broader industry.
Key Responsibilities:- Developing and executing the W.W. Williams communications strategy across internal and external channels, aligned with company strategy and goals, and building and scaling the communications function for a growing national branch network.
- Partnering with the Executive Leadership Team and their teams, and with support functions including sales, service operations, marketing, finance, human resources, and legal.
- Providing strategic thinking and direction to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and senior leaders in planning and executing all communication programs, including messaging that supports board reporting.
- Leading and developing external communications, including strategic plans that enhance the company's reputation and showcase the depth of W.W. Williams' service capabilities to customers, partners, and industry media.
- Connecting our people to our purpose by bringing the company strategy to life across the branch network, communicating key initiatives, and elevating the employee experience through internal communications and recruiting efforts.
- Building communication strategies that drive engagement in support of major strategic, financial, people, and customer initiatives and change communications.
- Drafting and securing approval for key messages delivered to branch, regional, business unit, and functional audiences, covering change management, business strategy, and growth.
- Providing hands-on support for leadership communications, coaching senior leaders, creating communication plans, and publishing content across channels (intranet, email, digital signage, field communications), including town halls, branch meetings, and other events.
- Using employee feedback, metrics, and insights to spot trends and address changes in engagement, with particular attention to frontline technician and branch populations.
- Collaborating with expert spokespeople on high-profile external placements, including bylined articles, trade press, industry podcasts, and speaking opportunities.
- Monitoring market and industry trends that impact or influence communication programs.
- Leading the company's reputational risk and crisis communications strategy, protecting its reputation through proactive, approved messaging across safety, operational, workforce, and customer matters.
- Creating a metrics-driven reporting framework that demonstrates accountability and shows progress against the communications strategy in a format digestible for the Executive Leadership Team and board.
Qualifications:Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Communications, Journalism, Business, Marketing, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in corporate or strategic communications, preferably in an industrial, service, distribution, or otherwise operationally complex business. Must have both internal and external communications expertise.
- Strategic thinker who can translate complex concepts into actionable, understandable plans, programs, and materials.
- Relevant media and industry relationships, and/or the demonstrated ability to build the right relationships quickly.
- Ability to engage and manage multiple stakeholders, build strong relationships and networks, and effectively drive, convince, and influence others.
- Passion for strengthening organizational culture and productivity, and building community within a geographically distributed, frontline-heavy workforce.
- Ability to multitask, working on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision and under tight deadlines.
- Excellent project management skills and strong executive presence.
Critical Experiences- Proven track record of building, managing, and coaching high-performing teams.
- Experience leading organizational change and communication projects, preferably in a fast-moving, multi-site or matrixed organization.
- Previous experience developing internal communication plans to support our people, champion our brand, and activate employee engagement through tools that inform and inspire, ideally across distributed field and branch locations.
- Previous experience developing innovative external communication plans that proactively help grow and defend a market-leading brand.
- Experience working on highly sensitive business issues and crisis communications.
- Demonstrated experience developing executive-level communications and channel strategies.
- Experience in a high-growth environment preferred; experience in industrial services, equipment, transportation, or power generation is a plus.
- Experience operating with the interplay of communications and legal, HR, finance, and leadership for effective stakeholder management.
Employee Rewards and Benefits: - 8 Paid Holidays & 1 Paid Wellness Day
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 401k with a Company Match
- Company Paid Training
- Growth & Leadership Opportunities
