Communications Manager

Job Title: Communications Manager Duration: 12+ months (with possible extension) Work Location: Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064 Work Model: Hybrid (Part-time, 20 hours/week; 12 hours must be worked in-office) About the Role: We are seeking an experienced Communications Manager to support a large-scale, multi-year, multi-million-dollar technology transformation initiative within our Procurement organization. This global initiative aims to modernize the procurement technology stack from end-to-end. As new systems and processes are deployed in multiple phases (waves), global suppliers will be impacted. The primary objective of this role is to execute, manage, and support change management communications to ensure suppliers are informed, prepared, and ready for each deployment wave. While drafting makes up about 10% of the role, the majority of the work involves gathering technical information from subject matter experts, managing complex approvals (up to the executive level), coordinating distribution, and tracking engagement metrics. Key Responsibilities: Content Creation: Draft, edit, and finalize external change-management communications (approx. 60 total communications across 10 deployment waves) directed at global suppliers. Messaging Strategy: Ensure emails clearly outline what is changing, operational guidance, required actions, and system/process changes related to the new Supplier Portal. Adapt messaging for different deployment waves, global regions, and specific supplier audiences while maintaining core consistency and a professional, action-oriented tone. Stakeholder & Approval Management: Partner tightly with technology teams, change management teams, and subject matter experts. Coordinate review and approval processes with Legal, Compliance, Procurement leadership, and executive stakeholders (including C-suite visibility) prior to release. Campaign Execution: Coordinate the distribution of supplier communications aligned strictly to the Change Management deployment calendar. Ensure messages are accurately targeted to the intended external audiences using dedicated communication platforms. Monitoring & Triage: Actively monitor the approved external Procurement mailbox. Track supplier responses, manage escalation needs, and route specific inquiries to the appropriate business or procurement contacts. Metrics & Analysis: Conduct post-send analysis using communication distribution platforms (such as StaffBase or similar tools). Track and report on distribution status, open rates, readership, engagement duration, acknowledgments, and follow-up actions. Required Qualifications & Experience: Education: Bachelor's Degree required (Public Relations, Integrated Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or a related field strongly preferred. Business/Marketing degrees will be considered if accompanied by highly relevant communications experience). Experience: 6+ years of formal, dedicated professional communications experience. (Note: Candidates must be dedicated communications professionals; general business roles with a minor communication component will not be considered). Change Management Expertise: Strong background in change management or transformation communications. Proven ability to support large stakeholder groups through significant organizational, operational, process, or technology changes. Project Management: Exceptional project management skills with the ability to multitask and manage multiple communication initiatives/waves simultaneously. Executive Presence: Experience working with and presenting to senior management, with the confidence to navigate executive-level approval processes. Technical Tools: Experience utilizing modern communication distribution platforms to manage mailing lists, execute sends, and pull engagement reporting/metrics. Attention to Detail: Impeccable written and verbal communication skills, with rigorous attention to proofreading and factual accuracy. Preferred Qualifications (Not Required): Prior experience specifically managing external supplier communications. Background in the healthcare/bio-pharma industry. Familiarity with procurement operations (Note: Procurement subject matter expertise is not required; communications and change management expertise are the priority).