Communications Manager
Project Lead The WayOVERVIEW
The Communications Manager is responsible for planning, developing, and executing internal and external communications that keep PLTW Team Members and key audiences informed, engaged, and aligned. This role serves as a communications partner and hands-on practitioner, managing recurring organizational communications, supporting high-visibility and sensitive announcements, and coordinating communications across multiple teams and channels. The Communications Manager also leads communications for PLTW awards and recognition programs and supports the Director of Public Relations with media relations activities. Occasional travel required.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, develop, and execute recurring internal communications that inform, engage, and align Team Members with organizational priorities.
- Coordinate communications and logistics for organization-wide meetings, learning sessions, and other Team Member experiences, including invitations, virtual meeting setup, content review, speaker preparation, and deadline management.
- Develop, edit, proofread, and execute communications for organizational announcements and other high-visibility or sensitive topics, in partnership with leaders and key stakeholders.
- Manage internal intranet site and email communications, including content management, audience segmentation, scheduling, deployment, and quality assurance.
- Lead communications planning and execution for PLTW awards and recognition programs, including internal and external messaging and stakeholder coordination.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support recognition initiatives through events, announcements, storytelling, and related communications.
- Support the Director of Public Relations in coordinating media relations activity with PLTW’s external PR agency, including gathering information, identifying and coordinating Team Members and customers for interviews or quotes, securing approvals, proofreading media materials, managing internal follow-up, and helping ensure agency requests and media opportunities move forward timely.
- Draft and edit a range of internal and external communications, including emails, articles, announcements, talking points, FAQs, executive communications, media materials, and other organizational content.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships to gather information, anticipate communication needs, and provide guidance on audience, timing, channel strategy, and message effectiveness.
- Maintain editorial and project management standards across communications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, grammar, tone, brand alignment, stakeholder coordination, deadline management, and continuous improvement.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field of study, or equivalent related experience.
- Experience in communications, public relations, corporate communications, internal communications, journalism, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience planning, developing, and executing communications for multiple audiences and channels.
- Experience with content management systems, HubSpot or a comparable marketing automation and email platform.
- Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) style and professional editorial standards.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including excellent writing, editing, and copyediting abilities.
- Ability to lead projects from planning through execution while managing deadlines.
- Sound editorial judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
- Highly detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
- Ability to remain composed and effective in fast-moving or sensitive situations.
- Ability to build credibility and trust across all levels of the organization.
- Adaptable and comfortable working through ambiguity and changing priorities.
- Accountable and takes ownership.
- Seeks and embraces diversity of thought, culture, and experience.