Communications Director - Contractor

Description

What makes Employ unique is that we offer three distinct ATS platforms—JazzHR, Lever, and Jobvite to serve businesses at every stage of growth. We’re also building AI Companion tools to support recruiters throughout the hiring journey, with a focus on screening, interviewing, and sourcing.

We’re deeply committed to data security and compliance, partnering with IBM watsonx.governance to ensure end-to-end, always-on protection.

Today, more than 23,000 companies, including e.l.f. Beauty, Shutterfly, Pure Barre, and Spotify, trust Employ to help them hire smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Communications Director (Contractor) to lead and execute strategic communications efforts that elevate our brand, enhance our public presence, and support stakeholder engagement across the organization. This full-time contract role is ideal for a seasoned communications leader who can drive initiatives independently, collaborate cross-functionally, and work with external agencies to deliver high-impact messaging and campaigns.

What you’ll be doing: 

• Agency Management: Oversee and manage external PR/communications agency to ensure strategic alignment and high-quality execution.
• Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with business priorities and drive consistent, compelling messaging across channels.

• Public Relations and Media Relations: Support the development and execution of media outreach strategies in collaboration with agency; coordinate logistics for media interviews and press opportunities; monitor media and industry trends, flagging opportunities for response, alignment, or newsjacking
• Analyst Relations: Cultivate and manage relationships with key industry analysts, influencing and shaping how the organization is perceived in analyst reports and rankings, and communicating strategic developments effectively.

• Crisis Communication: Serve as the communications lead in crisis situations—working closely with internal stakeholders and agency to craft swift, thoughtful responses as well as holding statements/Q&A documents that safeguard the company’s reputation.
• Market Insights and Messaging: Leverage research and market insights to shape messaging and content direction. Collaborate with agency and product marketing teams to align on positioning and differentiation.
• Executive Communications: Develop and maintain executive thought leadership strategies and profiles; support messaging and written communications to enhance their visibility and impact.
• Internal Communications: Develop and manage internal communications initiatives that keep employees informed, engaged, and aligned with the company’s vision and values.
• Content Development and Brand Storytelling: Oversee the creation of high-quality external content that reflects our brand voice—ranging from press releases and media materials to internal memos and leadership communications.
• Stakeholder Communications: Ensure proactive and strategic communication with internal and external stakeholders to reinforce alignment and clarity across the business.
• Measurement and Reporting: Track key communications metrics and report on campaign performance. Use insights to continuously improve strategy and execution.
• Budget and Project Management: Manage communications budgets and lead end-to-end project execution for campaigns and deliverables.
• Event/Tradeshow Support: Collaborate with events team and agency to support messaging, media/analyst outreach, and executive preparation for tradeshows and industry events.
• Manage Awards/Speaking Opportunities: Identify, evaluate, and manage award submissions and executive speaking opportunities (in conjunction with agency support) to increase brand awareness and reinforce Employ’s industry leadership. Coordinate promotions internally and externally of speaking opportunities and award wins.

What you’ll bring:   

• 8+ years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, or related roles.
• Proven success in leading through influence and managing external agencies.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis communication and media relations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and turn it into clear, impactful messaging.
• Analytical mindset with experience tracking KPIs and reporting outcomes.

Employ is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Employ is an EVerify employer.