Senior Director, Internal Communications & Experience (People & Culture)
Job Description
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Senior Director of Internal Communications & Experience is a strategic, hands‑on leader who owns the employee communications experience across a complex, field‑first organization. With approximately 12,000 employees, the majority working in fitness clubs across the U.S., U.K. and Canada, this role demands a sophisticated communicator who reaches, engages, and inspires a largely desk‑less workforce. The position works closely with Marketing to share brand launches and initiatives and partners with People & Culture, Operations, Legal and the PR/Corporate Communications team to align messaging across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute an internal communications strategy purpose‑built for a field‑first workforce, ensuring every employee feels informed, connected, and part of a larger mission.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing internal communications team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, speed, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the C‑suite on internal communications, executive messaging, organizational change, and employee engagement.
- Partner cross‑functionally with People & Culture, Operations, Legal, and the PR/Corporate Communications team to ensure message alignment, consistency, and discipline across the enterprise.
- Manage a multi‑channel communications ecosystem built for a workforce that is predominantly deskless—leveraging mobile‑first platforms, digital signage, SMS, team apps, and other non‑email channels.
- Stay ahead of how people consume information, bringing a modern, platform‑aware mindset to the selection and use of communication tools, formats, and cadences that resonate with a fitness‑industry field workforce.
- Measure communication effectiveness across channels and continuously refine the strategy based on reach, engagement, and employee feedback.
- Own and manage the full internal communications channel mix, including the company intranet, digital communications tools, leadership messaging, newsletters, town halls, and emerging platforms.
- Partner closely with People & Culture to create and execute employee engagement initiatives, milestone and recognition programs, and campaigns that strengthen culture, enhance retention, and celebrate the contributions of a largely field‑based team.
- Guide internal communication efforts during organizational change, restructuring, or sensitive people‑related matters—ensuring clarity, transparency, and trust across all employee audiences.
- Develop and maintain employee‑facing crisis communication protocols that ensure field teams receive timely, accurate, and consistent messaging during high‑stakes situations.
- Own the internal employee communications component during people‑related crisis scenarios, coordinating closely with PR/Corporate Communications, Legal, and People & Culture to ensure aligned messaging across internal and external audiences.
- Provide real‑time counsel to executive leadership on employee‑facing messaging, internal stakeholder communication, and scenario planning during fast‑moving situations.
- Serve as a calm, steady internal voice during emergencies, ensuring field employees who may be the first point of contact for members receive clear guidance and feel supported by the organization.
- Lead the strategic planning and execution of employee engagement events and programs—such as Take Our Children to Work Day, milestone celebrations, and service anniversary recognition.
- Design recognition programs and communications that honor the field workforce, ensuring they feel seen, celebrated, and valued by the organization.
- Oversee company‑wide meetings, leadership forums, and other internal events—ensuring consistent storytelling and a strong, authentic internal brand voice across both virtual and in‑person formats.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
- 10+ years in internal communications, employee communications, or people‑focused communications roles, including 2+ years as a Director or equivalent senior level role with proven success reaching and engaging large, distributed, or desk‑less workforces.
- 6+ years leading teams, developing talent, and driving cross‑functional collaboration.
- Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
- Crisis expertise: Proven ability to manage complex, high‑pressure crisis communications and protect organizational reputation.
- Experience building and leveraging matrix partnerships.
- Strong executive presence.
- Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
- Sound judgment and a proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset.
- Ability to handle ambiguity and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing communications strategies for field‑based, hourly, or frontline workforces in retail, hospitality, fitness, healthcare, or similar industries.
- Advanced proficiency with modern internal communications platforms, analytics tools, and an informed point of view on emerging technologies and how they are reshaping the employee communications landscape.
- Experience supporting executive communications, including C‑suite messaging, town hall preparation, and leadership storytelling at scale; ability to coach senior leaders on how to communicate authentically and effectively with a field‑first audience.
Pay Transparency
Min $155k – Max $165k, bonus eligible.
Additional Information
- Competitive salary and benefits.
- Industry‑leading commission opportunities for club employees.
- Complimentary club membership.
- Perks and incentives with our products and services, including personal training, Pilates, spa, and shop.
Equinox is an equal‑opportunity employer. For more information regarding our career opportunities, please visit our website at
All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Must have a legal right to work in the United States.
#J-18808-Ljbffr