First Command Financial Services

Manager, Strategic Internal Communications

Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or communications-related field required.
  • 8+ years in corporate or internal communications.
  • 3+ years in leadership or team lead roles.
  • Experience leading communications for large-scale initiatives or enterprise change efforts.
  • Financial services experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the central connection between enterprise strategy and internal communications.
  • Partner with various offices to translate strategic priorities into communication plans.
  • Own and manage the enterprise internal communications editorial calendar.
  • Lead and guide internal communications strategists to ensure quality deliverables.
  • Provide strategic counsel on messaging and audience considerations.
  • Establish partnerships with operations and field leadership for effective communication.
  • Develop and improve internal communications processes to support function evolution.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence and engage with all levels of the organization.
  • Leadership role with direct management of a dedicated team.
  • Collaborative environment engaging cross-departmental partnerships.
  • Focus on continuous improvement and best practices in communications.
  • Potential to handle confidential and high-impact information.
Full Job Description
Job Description

How will this role impact First Command?

The Manager, Strategic Internal Communications is a key contributor to First Command's internal communications initiatives. This individual reports to the Director, Internal Communications and works to inform, influence, motivate, and engage with people at every level of the company.

This leader manages the Internal Communications function's day-to-day strategy execution by overseeing a team of internal communications strategists aligned to First Command's core business priorities.

This role serves as the critical connection point between enterprise strategy and communications execution. It ensures that communications are prioritized, aligned, and delivered in ways that support business outcomes, drive adoption, and maintain consistency across Field and Home Office audiences.

The manager partners closely with the Office of Strategy Management, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office, Organizational Change Management, and senior business stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into an integrated editorial calendar and coordinated communication plans.

What will the employee do in this role?
  • Serve as the central connection point between enterprise strategy and internal communications, ensuring all communications are aligned to First Command's business priorities and strategic initiatives.
  • Partner with the Office of Strategy Management, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office, Organizational Change Management, and key business stakeholders to understand priorities, timelines, and dependencies, and translate them into clear communications direction.
  • Own and manage the enterprise internal communications editorial calendar, ensuring disciplined prioritization, coordinated messaging, and alignment to business milestones while reducing communication overload and duplication.
  • Lead, review, and guide the work of internal communications strategists aligned to core business strategies, ensuring plans, messaging, and deliverables are high quality, consistent, and aligned to enterprise objectives.
  • Provide strategic counsel to internal stakeholders on messaging, tone, sequencing, and audience considerations to improve clarity, adoption, and engagement.
  • Establish and maintain strong partnerships with Advisor Operations and Field leadership to ensure communications are Field-ready, operationally sound, and appropriately reviewed and approved prior to distribution.
  • Maintain a deep understanding of the First Command business model, distribution system, and key stakeholder groups to ensure communications are relevant and actionable for Field and Home Office audiences.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve internal communications processes, including intake, planning, approval, and execution workflows, to support a growing and evolving function.
  • Ensure all communications are compliant with corporate standards and approved by Legal and Compliance as required.
  • Identify risks, gaps, or conflicts in messaging and proactively adjust communications strategies to minimize confusion and improve alignment.
  • Define and track the effectiveness of internal communications efforts, using insights to refine strategy, improve execution, and strengthen outcomes.
  • Stay informed on internal communications best practices and apply them to enhance the team's effectiveness and maturity.
  • May be entrusted with confidential information.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

What roles will this employee lead?
  • Directly manages a team of internal communications strategists aligned to First Command's core business priorities.

Skills & Qualifications

Education
  • Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a communications-related field required.

Work Experience
  • 8+ years' experience in corporate communications or internal communications
  • 3+ years' experience in leadership or team lead capacity
  • Experience leading communications for large-scale initiatives or enterprise change efforts
  • Financial services experience is highly preferred

Certifications
  • Accreditation in Public Relations is preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Strategic communications planning and prioritization
  • Leadership and team development
  • Stakeholder management and executive advisory
  • Editorial judgment and content governance
  • Process design and operational scaling
  • Data-informed decision making


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About First Command Financial Services

First Command Financial Services, Inc. is a financial planning organization that focuses on serving the unique needs of military families. The company was founded in 1958 by a retired Air Force officer and has since grown to serve clients across the United States. First Command offers a range of financial planning services, including investment management, retirement planning, insurance, and banking. The company is committed to providing personalized service and education to help military families achieve their financial goals.
Learn more about First Command Financial Services
Size
500 employees
Industry

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