Director of Communications & Change Management

** Director of Communications & Change Management*
* ** City:
** Chicago

** State/Province:
** IL

** Country:
** United States

** Division:
** Corporate

** Job :
** 13967

Since 1952, Lawson Products has worked hard to make our customers' jobs easier by improving their operational efficiency, productivity and overall performance. As a leader in the MRO industry, we partner with customers to make sure they have the right maintenance and repair parts on hand when needed.

We're looking for a Director of Corporate Communications & Change Management, responsible for developing and executing a corporate communications strategy that is designed to enhance Lawson's brand with external stakeholders, drive engagement with employees and accelerate the adoption of strategic business initiatives.  Areas of responsibility include communications, media relations, special events, public affairs, strategic communications, corporate communications, oversight of marketing communications and branding and executive positioning.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes vision, dental, medical and retirement benefits, as well as a paid holiday and PTO package.

** Responsibilities:*
* + Plans and implements Lawson's corporate communication strategy, incorporating messaging that drives our culture and business strategy.

+ Develops and executes internal communication programs to deliver communications objectives throughout the organization.

+ Assesses, develops and implements change management strategies and plans that prepare the organization by anticipating and minimizing employee resistance and business disruption.

+ Collaborates with senior leaders, HR and other stakeholders to reinforce Lawson's culture and brand. Ensure corporate strategy, corporate milestones and organizational changes are communicated internally.

+ Develops and delivers external communication plans that align with Lawson's corporate strategy, working closely with senior leadership to ensure the planning and execution of communications are timely, accurate and effective.

+ Develops and manages content for external stakeholders on key company milestones and other announcements, including press releases, Q&A's and corporate presentations.

+ Manages and directs the media relations partnership with Lawson's external communications firm to assist with strategic communications projects.

+ Develops content for website and social media. Partners with HR on initiatives such as Total Rewards, engagement surveys and wellness surveys.

+ Collaborates with IT on the utilization and continuous improvement of communication technologies such as the company's intranet.

+ Oversees content of all marketing and sales media. Partners with the product management, marketing and sales teams to ensure company publications, marketing materials, websites and client/community engagement communications all build and protect corporate brand name and image.

+ Directs Lawson's brand and reputation, ensuring Lawson is viewed favorably by the public and its employees.

+ Monitors Lawson's branding strategy, programs and initiatives to ensure all brand touch points and messaging are in keeping with brand values and corporate guidelines as detailed in Lawson's Style Guide. Participates in the rollout of new brand positioning, providing input, guidance and oversight of the messaging and positioning to internal stakeholders (e.g. sales, marketing, product and legal). Works collaboratively with sales and product management/marketing with regard to brand communication-related initiatives.

Facilitates idea exchange.

+ Supervises all aspects of the corporate communications team, including budgets, staff, contractors and vendors, workflow and dissemination of information to Lawson employees.

+ Provides business solutions, stakeholder analysis and communication strategy that enhance business outcomes and accelerate the adoption of strategic business initiatives, focusing on the people-aspect of change.

+ Defines appropriate approaches and delivers change management practices and processes to the organization, demonstrating the value of a structured process for change management.

+ Facilitates stakeholder analysis, utilizing tools and creating processes to measure and report on communication effectiveness.

+ Identifies potential resistance areas of affected audiences, creating mitigation plans and activities to reduce project risks.

+ Facilitates change-planning sessions with project subject matter experts, leaders and managers to define the change management process for project initiatives.

+ Other duties as assigned.

*
* Qualifications & Requirements:

*
* + Bachelor's degree or higher in a writing discipline, such as English, journalism, communications or a related field, with 10 years of progressive experience in a similar corporate communications position or an equivalent combination of experience, education and training.

+ Demonstrated leadership roles in previous positions desirable, with previous team management and…