Background
The FORD FOUNDATION is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with visionary people on the front-lines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has ten regional offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Job Summary
The Ford Foundation's Office of Communications seeks a motivated, creative, and resourceful Internal Communications Manager (ICM) who will play a leading role in advancing the institution’s internal communications agenda. They will help to create a more interconnected, collaborative and transparent organizational culture. He/she/they will be a people person with a keen editorial eye and well-honed organizational and time-management skills with the ability to bring new ideas to the table.
He/she/they has responsibility for maintaining and growing Ford’s robust internal communications platform, Fordify, which is housed in the OC (Office of Communications). This position takes the lead in developing the content, look, feel and tone of Fordify and driving staff adoption of the tool. He/she/they will have a keen understanding of where Fordify sits within the array of other internal communications tools the foundation uses to conducts its business and will help advise on best practice for those tools. He/she/they will be responsible for ensuring the usefulness and value-add of the site - actively learning about the information needs of Ford employees in the US and regional offices and driving the creation of content to meet them. The role involves active and ongoing engagement with foundation staff at all levels and the ICM must serve as a champion for Fordify with flair, humor and sensitivity. He/she/they will be expected to work with foundation leadership to harness their support and participation on the site and to make sure internal communications strategies and initiatives are aligned.
The Internal Communications Manager convenes an editorial advisory board made up of representatives from IT, Information Management, Human Resources, Office of Communications, Program teams and the regional offices. The board will meet regularly to give direction to the ICM and consider ongoing policy, strategy and development of the platform. The ICM engages with a team of content providers from each of the major offices and departments of the foundation who will be versed in the operation of the platform, have a role in content creation and who will serve as ambassadors for its use. The ICM, in conjunction with the Head of Digital, will work closely with outside vendors providing intranet-related services. He/she/they will oversee the development of metrics and evaluation for the site and be responsible for ensuring the findings play into future strategy and content development.
Reporting to the Head of Digital, the ICM will also play a role in the maintenance of the public site fordfoundation.org ensuring that staff bios and photographs are up to date and leading specific projects. The ideal candidate will be deeply knowledgeable about web usability and content strategy. They will also have excellent communication skills, superior writing and content production skills and have a basic understanding of digital audio/video techniques and equipment.
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