Enterprise Internal Communications Manager

Overview
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that are referred 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, 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, elevating PNNL’s institutional reputation 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, we aim to inspire stakeholders and 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.

Benefits
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 childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in the company‑funded pension plan and may enroll in the 401(k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug‑free workplace supported by the 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.

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, 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.

Minimum Salary
USD $126,300.00 / Yr.

Maximum Salary
USD $199,600.00 / Yr.

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