Enterprise Internal Communications Manager
Employer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory · Location: Richland, Washington · Posting: PNL-11866 · Type: Full-Time · Pay: $126,300-$199,600/yr
Duties
Overview At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems , Computing and Information Technology, and Performance Management. Communications and External Engagement (CXE) engages PNNL staff and key stakeholders to amplify meaningful connections between our science and technology mission to accelerate our impact and elevates PNNL’s institutional reputation and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to position PNNL as a leader in mission-driven science and innovation. CXE also inspires stakeholders and staff by facilitating and showcasing PNNL’s scientific leadership, national influence, community commitments, and service to advance the frontiers of knowledge and our distinguished staff. PNNL’s Communications team engages internal and external stakeholders through strategic communication efforts that support mission outcomes. Working to elevate the reputation and visibility of PNNL, through world-class experts and bold science mission, we aim to inspire stakeholders and to build awareness of the PNNL’s science impact. Responsibilities Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an exceptional communicator to lead its Enterprise Internal Communications. This pivotal role serves as the principal architect of PNNL's internal communications strategy, channels, and governance model, ensuring employees receive clear, timely and actionable information that advances organizational priorities and strengthens the staff experience across PNNL’s ~6,000 wired and non-wired employees. We're seeking an experienced internal communicator to shape and execute PNNL's enterprise internal communications strategy, ensuring clarity, consistency, and measurable impact across the organization. This role offers the opportunity to define how internal communications supports organizational performance and employee engagement across one of the nation’s premier research institutions. If you can balance strategic vision with tactical execution and are equally comfortable developing high-level communications strategy as rolling up your sleeves to resolve immediate challenges, this role may be the fit for you. Key Responsibilities: Enterprise Communications Strategy Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise-wide internal communications strategy that advances PNNL priorities, strengthens culture, and enhances employee engagement. Assess emerging communication needs and prioritize resources toward the highest-impact opportunities. Lead integrated communications planning, including integrated campaigns, editorial planning, and coordinated message delivery across channels. Incorporate industry trends, best practices, and thought leadership into communications planning and execution. Executive and Stakeholder Communications Serve as a trusted advisor to PNNL’s senior leaders on best practices for internal communications and employee engagement. Coordinate enterprise executive communications, equipping leaders with clear, compelling, and consistent messaging. Develop communication strategies and execution plans for high-profile announcements, strategic initiatives, and organizational changes. Build strong partnerships with PNNL leadership, mission support organizations, research directorates, and cross-functional stakeholders. Employee Engagement and Audience Strategy Design communication approaches that effectively engage diverse employee audiences, including onsite wired and non-wired, remote, and hybrid workers. Leverage audience insights, feedback mechanisms, and engagement data to improve communication effectiveness and the employee experience. Balance enterprise-wide consistency with the unique needs and identities of PNNL’s business units and directorates. Content Strategy and Channels Oversee the development of high-quality, audience-focused content across a variety of formats, including executive messages, newsletters, presentations, videos, digital content, and change communications. Establish and maintain a consistent organizational voice, tone, and narrative across all internal communications. Lead the governance, optimization, and evolution of PNNL’s enterprise internal communication channels. Improve information flow and channel effectiveness while reducing communication overload and increasing employee reach and engagement. Communications Operations, Governance, and Innovation Establish governance models, standard operating procedures, messaging maps, and coordination mechanisms that strengthen alignment across communications teams. Lead enterprise communication planning and review processes, ensuring visibility, coordination, and strategic prioritization. Build scalable systems, workflows, tools, and AI-enabled solutions that improve efficiency, collaboration, and communication quality. Organizational Change, Issues Management and Measurement Lead communication strategies that support organizational transformation, change management, and culture initiatives. Partner with PNNL’s Public Affairs Advisor to support crisis communications when needed. Establish SMART communication objectives, success metrics, and key performance indicators to measure effectiveness and business impact. Analyze communication performance and employee feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and inform future strategies. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience leading enterprise internal communications strategy and programs for a large, complex organization with a distributed workforce. Demonstrated success developing and leading enterprise internal communications strategies, operating models, and transformation initiatives that advance organizational priorities, strengthen culture, and improve employee engagement. Exceptional writing, editing, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling messages and influence stakeholders at all levels. Strong strategic, organizational, and project management capabilities, with the ability to balance enterprise-wide consistency and organizational flexibility while managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Experience using analytics and performance metrics to measure communication effectiveness, generate insights, and drive continuous improvement and measurable outcomes. Collaborative, results-oriented leader with strong consulting, relationship building, and change leadership skills. Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment Not Applicable Testing Designated Position This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP). About PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them! At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs. Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov . Drug Free Workplace PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential. Mandatory Requirements Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment. Rockstar Rewards Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup chi
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 9+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 7+ years of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience leading enterprise internal communications strategy and programs for a large, complex organization with a distributed workforce. Demonstrated success developing and leading enterprise internal communications strategies, operating models, and transformation initiatives that advance organizational priorities, strengthen culture, and improve employee engagement. Exceptional writing, editing, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling messages and influence stakeholders at all levels. Strong strategic, organizational, and project management capabilities, with the ability to balance enterprise-wide consistency and organizational flexibility while managing multiple priorities and deadlines. Experience using analytics and performance metrics to measure communication effectiveness, generate insights, and drive continuous improvement and measurable outcomes. Collaborative, results-oriented leader with strong consulting, relationship building, and change leadership skills.
Compensation
Minimum Salary USD $126,300.00/Yr. Maximum Salary USD $199,600.00/Yr.