Communications Associate

CorporateHybrid Remote, Burr Ridge, Illinois


Description

For more than three decades, premier organizations have trusted IPM to lead the successful execution of their strategic portfolios and critically important initiatives.  Headquartered in Burr Ridge, IL with offices in Boston, Parsippany, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, IPM has led more than 5,000 projects for over 500 clients.  Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups. We have been named to the Great Place to Work list of “Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services”.
 
We are seeking a Communications Specialist to join our Communication and Creative Services team in our headquarters office in Burr Ridge, IL. This individual needs to be highly inquisitive and versed in utilizing emerging technologies to leverage communications and design disciplines to increase efficiencies and enhance quality. 
 
The Communications Associate is involved in all areas of the business, contributing to IPM's internal communications strategy, consulting on and enhancing client deliverables and projects, and serving as an editorial and communications resource.
 
Primary Responsibilities and Duties 
 
  • Edit and develop internal and client-facing content to create compelling communications and assets that highlight key messages, tell a story, and connect with diverse audiences and influential stakeholder groups.  
  • Serve as a communications consultant, providing recommendations on clear and effective messaging, grammatical accuracy, and platform usage.
  • Creatively enhance deliverables to convey messaging through meaningful design and visual storytelling. 
  • Support executives and senior leaders in developing high-impact internal and external communications deliverables and campaigns. 
  • Support the creation of strategic communication strategies and campaigns for defined short-term client and internal projects. 
  • Serve as primary developer and content manager for large, multi-author documents and proposals, ensuring a consistent, unified voice, advising on format and core messages, managing collaborators, and producing the final product.
  • Help evolve IPM’s Internal Communications Program.
  • Manage IPM’s internal digest and support content development for IPM’s companywide newsletter.
  • Advise on and govern posts and communication strategy for IPM’s internal SharePoint Online site.
  • Partner with internal teams to develop improved solutions and content for proposal development and contract management.
  • Serve as key administrator for IPM’s Project Performance Evaluation (PPE) survey process.
  • Perform other duties as assigned. 
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Personal Characteristics
 
  • Exceptional copy-editing abilities and editorial judgment, and able to adhere to selected style parameters (especially Chicago Manual of Style).
  • Advanced understanding of narrative structure, storytelling techniques, and content/message development.
  • Aptitude in suing imagery and design constructs to reinforce written concepts.
  • Work with brand guidelines to create a consistent aesthetic, demonstrate value, and ensure quality.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage information from various sources, creating alignment and providing proactive, timely solutions.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with ability to collaborate and manage relationships across all levels of an organization.
  • Highly adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced environment with interruptions, competing priorities, ambiguity, and unpredictable deadlines. 
  • Creative and curious with a continuous improvement mindset and willingness to fail; resourceful and takes initiative to exceed expectations.
  • Passionate about personal development especially in regard to utilizing emerging technology, writing, communication and design.
  • Ability to lead and contribute in a team environment.
Required Education and Training 
 
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or similar field.
  • 2+ years in communications or editing role.
  • Interest in graphic design/visual enhancement.
  • Experienced with new and emerging technologies and how they can be leveraged within the communication and creative disciplines to increase efficiency and enhance quality.
  • Proficient in Word, Adobe Reader, and PowerPoint.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, SharePoint Online, and AI programs.
Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits Program 
 
100% employer-paid health for employees and 85% paid health for dependents; 401(k) matching, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, holiday, personal and sick time, among many others; salary range is $55,000 - $60,000 dependent on experience.
 
Working Conditions 
 
  • May require extended hours including weekend/holiday work.
  • We have a hybrid work environment that requires at least three days in our office, where Thursday would be the required day to support larger company events and meetings.
 
Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, and market / business considerations. Hybrid work policy may evolve over time to align with business needs.
  
IPM is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.