Director, Internal Communications, Employee Benefits

Dir Communications - MI06AE

We're determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals - and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.

The Director, Internal Communications will serve as a trusted communication advisor for The Hartford's Employee Benefits leadership team and their direct reports. They will be responsible for developing the strategic communications plan for Employee Benefits (EB), annually,and will own the design and delivery of the plan and its components. The Director, Internal Communications will serve as a partner to consult and advise the Senior Leadership and Unit Leaders, understanding their priorities, initiatives, and focus to develop informed recommendations for a holistic communications approach. Successful candidates have a proven track record of building and executing LOB internal communication strategies that measurably contribute to performance and culture, and support the achievement of clearly defined strategic outcomes. They also will serve as a leader and mentor to other communicators within the Employee Benefits matrix. The Director, Internal Communications, Employee Benefits, will report to the Chief Marketing Officer, Employee Benefits, and be based in our Hartford, CT, Home Office on a hybrid basis.

• Lead and proactively implement communication strategies for Employee Benefits, including relevant messaging and tactics that achieve business goals. Advise leaders and influence business decisions to support EB strategy. This includes providing support to Board communications, strategy outputs to EB ELT and synthesizing strategy to improve and drive optimal EB culture.
• Proactively partners with executives and unit leaders to stay abreast of current trends, issues and opportunities affecting employees across the organization. Serve as a key point of contact for communication activities related to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the department to ensure an integrated communication approach; serve as a role model and mentor for early-career colleagues.
• Develop, draft and manage communication campaigns and their components, including speeches/ keynote addresses/ talking points, presentations, briefings, video scripts, correspondence, bylined articles, employee emails, blog posts, town halls, leadership meetings and other events. Provide coaching and feedback on presentation delivery as needed.
• Lead quarterly/bi-annual townhalls, including the agenda, presentations, planning, resources and materials.
• Partner directly with marketing communications leaders and strategy teams to ensure internal campaigns are grounded in business strategy and focused on growth.
• Evaluate metrics and stay abreast of best practices and tools with the goal of integrating them into communications efforts. Apply a contemporary, innovative, thought-provoking approach to deliverables, continuously leveraging new technologies, including AI and rapid adoption of CoPilot.

• Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in corporate internal communications, media relations, or similar role at a large public company required. Other relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in project and process management, thoughtfully outlining approach and intended outcomes.
• A confident, strategic critical thinker and problem solver who can provide strategic communications and counsel to executive management; ability to positively influence decisions and redirect stakeholders while maintaining strong partnerships.
• Proven experience advising business partners at all levels of the organization; demonstrated ability to understand complex business content and objectives and translate them into a communications strategy; experience designing, implementing and executing detailed, large-scale plans.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate trusted partnerships with senior leaders as well as work with sensitive information in a large corporate setting. Able to effectively navigate a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment - on both a proactive and reactive basis.
• Proven track record of executing multiple strategic communication initiatives within extremely tight time frames while maintaining high quality as well as conducting research and developing briefing materials to ensure senior executives are primed for communication events.
• Knowledge of internal communications and intranet best practices and emerging trends and technologies.
• Familiarity with and interest in issues/subjects relevant to senior leadership at publicly traded companies, including corporate strategy and financial performance, economic/business trends, organizational culture and business-related public policy. Experience at a financial services company a plus.
• Expertise as a superb writer, editor, proofreader and presenter; adaptability to varied writing and speaking styles; proficient with narratives/storytelling.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint required.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field required. Advanced degree a plus.