Head of Strategic Communications

What you will do

Would you like to help us build tomorrow?

Are you passionate about customer success? Would you enjoy working with a team of enterprising people who motivate themselves and those around them to develop personally and professionally?

The Head of Strategic Communications Region North America leads communications that support business strategy, transformation and change across the region. The role develops communication strategies and integrated plans that help leaders and employees understand priorities, stay aligned and support business performance. Working closely with senior leaders, Strategy, People & Culture and other key stakeholders, the role strengthens engagement, enables effective change and supports execution of regional priorities.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications:

• Develop and implement communication strategies that support North America business priorities, transformation initiatives, and functional objectives.
• Translate complex business strategies into clear, consistent messaging and communication plans for leaders and employees.
• Lead integrated communication planning for key regional initiatives, coordinating stakeholders across functions to ensure consistent messaging, effective sequencing and alignment with business priorities.

Change & Transformation Communications:

• Lead communication support for organizational and business change initiatives.
• Equip leaders and managers with communication tools and key messages to support successful adoption and engagement.
• Monitor feedback and adjust communication approaches as needed.

Executive & Leadership Communications:

• Advise senior leaders on communication strategy, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and communication effectiveness.
• Develop and support executive communications, including presentations, town halls, leadership forums, and key announcements.
• Strengthen leadership communication capabilities through coaching and tools.

Employee Engagement & Culture:

• Partner with People & Culture to support employee engagement, culture, leadership, and workforce initiatives.
• Lead communication strategies for employee meetings, leadership forums, engagement campaigns and other regional communication programs.
• Ensure communications reinforce business priorities and organizational culture.

Communications Planning & Governance:

• Lead integrated communication planning across the region and establish priorities, standards, and communication processes.
• Coordinate with communication partners and business stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and effective channel use.
• Manage communication calendars, alignment across initiatives, and governance mechanisms.

Channels, Measurement & Issues Management:

• Provide strategic direction for internal communication channels and content.
• Measure communication effectiveness using employee feedback, engagement data and other available insights to continuously improve communication outcomes.
• Support communication planning and stakeholder management during significant business issues, sensitive situations, or major events.

Regional Communications Support:

• Provide strategic communication support for high-priority regional initiatives, leadership engagements, employee events, and site-specific activities

Roles and Accountabilities

Roles:

• Strategic Communications Lead
• Change & Employee Engagement Partner
• Executive Communications Advisor
• Communications Governance & Planning Lead

Key Interfaces:

• VP, Brand, Marketing & Communications
• Strategy & Governance Leadership
• Purchasing, Technology, Operations, and Sales Leadership Teams
• People & Culture
• Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Global Communications
• Regional Communications Network
• Business Leaders, Managers, and Subject Matter Experts

Mutual Accountabilities:

• Align communication activities with business strategy and priorities.
• Develop clear, consistent, and effective messaging across functions and initiatives.
• Support leadership communication, employee engagement, and change initiatives.
• Coordinate communication planning and execution across stakeholders.
• Monitor communication effectiveness and continuously improve outcomes.

Forums:

• External: Industry communications forums, including relevant AEM communications groups, Public affairs, stakeholder and reputation-related events as required, Professional strategic communications and change leadership networks
• Internal: North America Brand, Marketing & Communications, Regional Communications Network, North America strategy and governance, Functional leadership and strategy forums for Purchasing, Technology, Operations and Sales

Who are you?

Do you dream big? We do too, and we are excited to grow together. In this role, you will bring the following:

Required Knowledge, Experience, and Education:

• Minimum:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, Public Relations, Journalism, Human Resources, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in internal, corporate, employee, change, or strategic communications within a complex organization.
  • Experience partnering with senior leaders and supporting leadership communications.
  • Experience developing and implementing communication strategies that support business priorities and organizational change.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional communication initiatives and engage diverse stakeholder groups.
• Preferred:
  • Master's degree in Communications, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
  • Experience supporting business transformation or organizational change initiatives.
  • Experience in manufacturing, industrial, technology or other complex B2B environments

Additional Important Requirements:

• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a changing environment.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Proficiency with digital communication tools and platforms.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment.
• Travel within North America and occasional international travel, as required.

Key Skills:

• Strategic Communication: Ability to translate business priorities into clear and effective communication strategies and messages.
• Business Acumen: Understands business objectives and uses communications to support organizational performance and change.
• Influence & Networking: Ability to align stakeholders and drive outcomes through collaboration and influence without direct authority.
• Stakeholder Management & Influencing: Builds strong relationships and works effectively across functions and leadership levels without direct authority.
• Executive Communication: Advises and supports leaders in delivering clear, engaging, and impactful communications.
• Change Communication: Develops communication approaches that help employees understand and adopt change.
• Planning & Prioritization: Manages multiple initiatives and balances competing communication needs effectively.
• Facilitation & Coaching: Supports leaders and teams through communication coaching, workshops, and engagement activities.
• Measurement & Continuous Improvement: Uses feedback and communication metrics to evaluate effectiveness and improve outcomes.
• Judgment & Professionalism: Handles sensitive information and complex stakeholder situations with discretion and sound judgment.
• Digital Communication Tools: Uses communication platforms, analytics, and AI-enabled tools to enhance communication effectiveness.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with diverse stakeholders across functions, locations, and levels of the organization.

What's in it for you?

We are pleased to offer a solid package of compensation and benefits. You will enjoy:

• Competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance
• Generous PTO
• Tax deferred retirement plans, varied by business; 401(K) with company match
• Global organization with expansive career growth opportunities
• Volvo Group University for professional and personal development
• Workplace health/wellness and reimbursement programs
• On-campus fitness center and café
• Avid approach to Sustainability
• Culture with a passion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for all
• We also offer an array of additional benefits and programs that make today's challenging reality of combining work and personal life easier. We will gladly share this information and more at any time during the interviewing process or as part of your offer letter.

Ready for the next move?
• If you are curious to explore how we put our words into actions, follow us on LinkedIn and volvogroup.com.
• Are you excited to bring your skills and disruptive ideas to the table? We can't wait to hear from you. Apply today!

At the Volvo Group, we strive for a clear, transparent, and straightforward compensation approach, motivating you to contribute to the company's growth. For this position, the base salary range is set at $128,300 - $158,400, and where applicable, bonus eligible. The range for this role, as well as final salary offered, is determined by several factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, work-related knowledge, certifications, skills, education, and experience. In addition to these factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

Job Category: Marketing & Communication

Organization: Volvo Construction Equipment

Travel Required: Occasional Travel

Requisition ID: 35545