Job Type Full-time Description Title: Global Internal Communications Director Department: Communications and Public Relations Location: Virginia Beach, VA – Operation Smile HQ Travel: The position requires international travel (approximately 10% of the time) Direct Reports: No General Description: The Director of Global Internal Communications is a mission-driven leader responsible for shaping and delivering a unified internal communications strategy across our international healthcare organization. This role supports a globally dispersed workforce—including regional and country offices, volunteers and world headquarters—by ensuring timely, transparent, and culturally sensitive communication. This role plays a key role in strengthening organizational culture, promoting collaboration, and ensuring our people are informed and inspired to advance Operation Smile’s mission of equitable healthcare for all. Essential Functions:
- Develop and Execute Global Strategy:?Lead the creation and implementation of an inclusive, multilingual internal communications strategy aligned with organizational values, goals, and global context.
- Content Leadership: Write and oversee high-quality content tailored for diverse audiences, including health professionals, support staff, and leadership. Content includes newsletters, announcements, leadership updates, and internal campaigns.
- Platform Ownership: Manage and continuously improve internal communication platforms, including the intranet, Newsletters (e.g., The Essentials), and email communications tools. Ensure platforms support equitable access and engagement globally.
- Intranet Management: Oversee the organization’s intranet strategy and operations. Collaborate with IT and Human Resources to ensure usability, relevant content, and localization.
- Executive Communications: Partner with senior leaders and regional directors to support effective internal communication, including speechwriting, global town halls, and video messages that reflect our values and amplify the mission.
- Change and Crisis Communication: Lead internal communication efforts during organizational changes, humanitarian responses, or public health emergencies—ensuring clarity, empathy, and alignment.
- Employee Engagement & Culture Building: Collaborate with HR and regional leaders to reinforce employee engagement, recognition, and inclusion through targeted communications and storytelling.
- Global Collaboration & Listening: Establish two-way communication channels to gather employee feedback, understand communication needs across regions, and adapt strategies accordingly.
- Measurement & Continuous Improvement: Track engagement metrics, survey feedback, and analytics to assess communication effectiveness and inform future improvements.
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Health, or related field; Master’s degree or nonprofit communications experience preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in internal or corporate communications, with at least 3 years in a global or mission-driven environment.
- Deep understanding of communication needs in multicultural, multilingual, and remote/hybrid workforces.?
- Excellent writing, editing, and cross-cultural storytelling skills.
- Strong command of digital communication and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).?
- Experience producing and distributing employee newsletters, managing content calendars, and using internal communication platforms like Workshop or Poppulo.
- Proficiency with visual communication tools such as Canva to create polished visuals that align with brand standards for internal messages.
- Strong experience planning, producing, and hosting virtual and hybrid internal events with global reach and cultural sensitivity.
- Experience working within international nonprofits, public health organizations, or NGOs.?Experience supporting field-based teams or humanitarian response.
- Fluency in one or more languages beyond English.
- Familiarity with safeguarding communications and data privacy best practices.
- Strategic Thinking – The ability to analyze complex situations, anticipate future trends, and formulate effective plans and decisions to achieve long-term goals or desired outcomes.
- Cultural Competence – The ability to understand, appreciate, interact with, and form meaningful relationships with people from cultures or belief systems different from one’s own.
- Executive Communication & Influence – Strong ability to partner with senior leadership, translate complex business priorities into clear and compelling narratives, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Digital Channel Fluency – Deep understanding of modern internal comms tools (e.g., intranets, collaboration platforms, video, newsletters) and data-driven approaches to measure reach, engagement, and effectiveness.
- Project Management – The ability to plan, organize, execute, and oversee projects from inception to completion. Defining project goals, creating detailed plans, managing resources, budgets, and timelines, and ensuring that tasks are completed to meet objectives and deliverables.