Manager, Communication & Engagement - Operations

Job Description

Manager, Communications & Engagement- Operations

Pella, Iowa (hybrid)

Pella came to life when Peter & Lucille Kuyper paid $5,000 to purchase a window screen company. Upon moving the company to their hometown of Pella, Iowa to expand their business, the Kuypers added innovative windows and doors to their growing product line. Now 100 years later, Pella is a household name when it comes to home building materials, from consumers to contractors, due to our cutting-edge, revolutionary products as well as a deep commitment to quality. At the heart of this success is our people. We have remained true to our long-held value of being people-focused and have a culture steeped in caring deeply, learning continuously, and achieving results that go beyond. Over the years, Pella has been named a great place to work by Fortune, Forbes and most recently honored as Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work and a Fast Company Innovative Workplace. Pella continues to excite and innovate and is second to none in our space.

Role Summary

The Communications & Engagement Manager for Operations will craft and oversee a communication strategy that bolsters pride, engagement, belonging, and retention of manufacturing team members and promotes Pella as the premier employer of choice within the communities we are located. This leader will partner with plant leadership, HR, corporate communications, talent brand, PR, and marketing to achieve our people-related goals across our manufacturing plants. They will also serve as a key collaborator with Operations senior leadership and plant leadership, providing strategic communications counsel that supports business strategy, culture, and brand through all communication channels.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Play an advisory role to support strategic communication change initiatives and help build an effective communication capability across our Operations teams.
• Develop and oversees HR and Operations-specific internal communications and engagement campaigns.
• Oversee talent brand campaigns (within local plant communities), partnering with co-workers responsible for talent brand strategies.
• Partner with Operations and HR senior leadership on crafting strategic communication plans and communications that are accessible to all audiences within manufacturing.
• Seek to improve delivery of key messages and communications in Operations, partnering with manufacturing leaders and driving accountability of people leaders.
• Use data gleaned through listening channels to inform communication recommendations and strategies to drive higher levels of team member engagement.
• Promote Pella Corporation culture, builds employee pride, connects team members to the business and leadership, while celebrating and recognizing employee achievement, and increasing employee belonging and engagement through communications, activities, programs, and by example.
• Champion the effective use of communications technology. Represents Production team members needs and preferences. Advises operations leadership in ways to continually improve their use of communication technology to support better business outcomes.
• Develops and maintains streamlined Operations communications processes, content management and repository, tools, and templates to drive effectiveness and efficiency of team efforts.
• Contributes to ELL (English Language Learner) strategy as it pertains to communications.
• Measures effectiveness of communications and stay up to date on corporate communications trends and best practices. Drives outcomes based on insights and seeks to continuously improve effectiveness of communications.
• Shares best practices and insights to broader Corporate Communications team; collaborates on integrated and contemporaneous enterprise communication strategy that drives stakeholder engagement.
• Manages special projects as assigned; including but not limited to crisis communications, M&A, and change initiatives.
  
  
  

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:

Position may at times require heavy travel. The estimate is that travel could be as high as 35% annually and may not be evenly spread throughout the year.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B. A./B.S.) from four-year college or university required with preferred degree program of Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Human Resources; 5-7+ years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• The ability to work and prioritize efforts in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Discretion to handle sensitive or proprietary company information in a confidential manner.
• Proactive, flexible, results-oriented problem-solving skills.
• Project management and communication planning skills. Ability to manage multiple complex projects concurrently.
• Capability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Strong interpersonal/listening, oral/written communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience creating effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to top management, team members, and public groups.
• Experience with a range of communication technologies and channels such as intranet, email, social networks, engagement platforms, video production, content management systems, etc.
• Strong collaborative and consultative skills. Ability to cultivate productive working relationships at all levels, gain trust of business leaders quickly, and influence without authority.
• High level of self-motivation and the ability to work independently, as a member of a team, as well with all types and levels of employees.
• Solid business acumen. Ability to translate complex business objectives into readily understandable communications for a variety of audiences.
• Proficiency in various media platforms, both traditional and digital.
  
  
  

About Us

About Pella Corporation

As the #1 most-preferred national window and door brand by homeowners across the country, Pella Corporation leads the industry in innovation and design. Founded in 1925, today the Pella Family of Brands encompasses a robust product offering sold and installed through various channels. We are a growing, privately owned company with 21 manufacturing locations and over 10,000 team members in the U.S. and Canada. Pella is consistently recognized as a great place to work by Newsweek, Forbes and Glassdoor, having most recently been named to America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek in 2024, as well as Forbes' 2024 Best Employers for Women and Best-In-State Employer in Iowa. We have also received numerous accolades for innovation and design, including Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2024 and Most Innovative Manufacturers for 2022 and 2023.

At Pella, our team cares deeply, learns continuously and achieves results that go beyond. We encourage creative thinking that seeks out and includes diverse perspectives. And we empower you to do the work you’re most proud of — that’s why we offer individualized talent development plans, cross-functional experiences and opportunities for career advancement through personal and professional development.

With talent just like you, we are imagining, building and fighting for a brighter future for generations to come. Ready to find a career that sparks your passion?