Communications Specialist

About the Team The Morningstar Global Communications team protects and strengthens the company’s reputation, amplifies our mission to empower investor success, and helps employees, leaders, clients, and the media understand the company’s priorities with clarity and credibility. Role Overview As Communications Specialist you’ll help turn Morningstar’s research, business priorities, and company moments into clear, credible communications across internal and external audiences. This is a hands‑on communications role for a strong writer who can move quickly, simplify complex topics, and support both planned and fast‑moving communications needs. Key Responsibilities Develop multi‑channel communications content: draft press releases, media pitches, employee announcements, intranet posts, social posts, talking points, FAQs, and other communications that make complex topics clear for employees, managers, media, and external stakeholders. Amplify Morningstar research by partnering with our Equity, Retirement, and Policy Research teams to turn research into media‑ready and employee‑facing content, helping connect insights to timely conversations and business priorities. Support visibility of analysts and experts across earned, owned, and shared channels. Participate in the shared media inbox rotation with the PR team, triage journalist inquiries, connect reporters to appropriate experts and data, draft responses, coordinate approvals, and support pitching and reporter follow‑up as needed. Create internal communications: draft employee announcements, leader messages, FAQs, manager guidance, and other materials that keep employees informed and aligned during routine and high‑sensitivity moments. Support M&A, change, and sensitive communications by helping develop messaging, timelines, stakeholder materials, and supporting content for acquisitions, organizational changes, restructurings, and other confidential or high‑impact topics. Support events and media moments by contributing communications support for company events, town halls, media engagements, and key business milestones, including drafting materials and coordinating logistics. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 2–4 years’ experience in communications, public relations, journalism, internal or external communications, or a related field. Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to make complex topics clear and accurate. Sound judgment, attention to detail, and comfort working with sensitive or confidential information. Strong organization and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders. Interest in media relations, employee communications, financial services, investing, or research‑driven storytelling supported by responsible AI. Preferred: Experience drafting press materials, internal announcements, executive messages, FAQs, social content, or media responses, as well as filming and editing short‑form video. Preferred: Experience working with journalists, media inboxes, monitoring tools, or pitching processes. Preferred: Experience supporting communications for events, business changes, acquisitions, or other high‑visibility moments. Preferred: Familiarity with financial services, investing, retirement, policy, research, technology, or similarly complex industries. Compensation and Benefits Base salary range: $74,325.00 – $109,008.33 (inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive). 401(k) match: 100% match up to 6% of salary. Stock ownership – potential company‑provided life insurance 1× salary + commission. Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) with potential premium discounts and company‑provided HSA contributions. Wellness incentives: up to $300–$600 annually. Long‑term and short‑term disability insurance. Trust‑based time off and paid sabbatical program. Paid family and caregiving leave, competitive paid parental leave, adoption assistance. Leadership coaching and formal mentorship opportunities. Annual flex stipend of $1,000 for personal education and well‑being expenses. Tuition reimbursement. Charitable matching gifts program. Paid volunteer days: 15+. Employee resource & affinity groups. Work Environment Morningstar’s hybrid work environment encourages in‑person collaboration four days a week. Tools and resources are available to engage with global colleagues, and additional benefits enhance flexibility. EEO Statement Morningstar is a global independent investment research and financial data company and is strongly committed to creating and preserving equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We make all employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and other personnel matters—without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, gender identity and expression, parental status, or other legally protected characteristics or conduct. #J-18808-Ljbffr Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC