About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.
Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary
The Internal Communications Director will report to KIND’s Global Chief Communications Officer. The incumbent will lead KIND’s ongoing efforts to engage its staff of more than 500 global employees. The incumbent will help ensure that KIND communicates clearly and effectively, and manage strategic and tactical internal communications, while also supporting executive communications. From creating employee-facing communications about critical policies and changes to identifying positive stories to spotlight organizational activities, the Internal Communications Director will serve as a key partner to project teams and leaders throughout the organization.
This role is equal parts strategic and creative. The Internal Communications Director will communicate ideas creatively and concisely, while adapting messages for various mediums and audiences. The ideal candidate is also a strong writer and editor with experience collaborating on messaging, understanding the unique dynamics of creating community and connection among dispersed staff, and a talent for developing creative approaches to difficult communications challenges.
This role presents an opportunity to help envision and implement an impactful internal communications plan that helps improve KIND’s performance, connects employees, and reinforces our purpose, mission, values, and culture.
This a headquarters position based remotely from any location in the U.S.
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Essential Functions - Establish, Lead, and Manage an Internal Communications Function
- Develops strategic and innovative organizational internal communication plan and timetable.
- Coordinates delivery of content across internal channels.
- Writes, reviews, and manages organization-specific e-mail communications, updates, change announcements, leadership messaging, and ad hoc communications.
- Synthesizes internal stakeholders’ core activities and goals into high-quality, thoughtful internal communications messages
- Offers expert guidance on internal communication strategies for major programs and projects, while also sharing knowledge and expertise across the organization.
- Manages stakeholder approval process and distribution of all internal organizational communications, including management of the organization’s intranet.
- Establishes and oversees a strategic editorial calendar and leverages team metrics for reporting to key internal stakeholders and informing forward-looking communications strategies.
- Partner with KIND’s Leaders to Implement an Executive Communications Strategy
- Proactively builds trust and maintains strong, cross-functional relationships with key internal stakeholders – from Operations associates to executive leaders.
- Supports internal leadership communications, in terms of content, audience applicability, mediums, timing, and appearances
- Collaborates with senior leaders to define communications needs and preferences.
- Coaches executives and provides feedback on any important internal remarks and messages they deliver to the organization.
- Fosters relationships across the organization to gain a comprehensive understanding of staff interactions, collaboration methods, and information-sharing channels.
- Partners with leadership in internal crisis and/or sensitive communications situations, providing both strategic advice and creative content support.
Qualifications and Requirements- Graduate degree or equivalent work experience required.
- Must be fluent in English; fluency in Spanish preferred but not required.
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in writing-intensive fields such as journalism, communications, or copywriting.
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and extensive project management experience, including effective collaboration with stakeholders at all levels, both in-person and remotely across different office locations.
- Exceptional writer with the ability to produce clear, concise, and accurate content quickly.
- Highly focused, with a strong attention to detail.
- Organized and efficient leader who can manage complex projects multitask, prioritize, and adapt
- Results-driven visionary with the ability to identify opportunities for progress and take decisive action to capitalize on emerging prospects.
- Analytical thinker who excels at generating innovative ideas while evaluating current processes and envisioning improvements.
- Establish regular points of contact to stay ahead of upcoming internal announcements.
- Understand, follow, inform, and enforce KIND’s internal communications policies and procedures.
- Culturally aware and stays informed about the interests and concerns of all our audiences, understands their priorities, and ensures the delivery of relevant information.
- A composed and dependable colleague in high-pressure or dynamic communication situations, consistently providing thoughtful, measured, and timely responses.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
- Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
- Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
- Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
- Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
- Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
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$81,428.95 - $101,786.19 a year
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Our Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision.
- Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.
- Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.
- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
- Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
For a complete list of benefits, please click here.
Our Focus on Wellness
KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.
For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.
Application Instructions
To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.
KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.
