Corporate Communications Lead

Join the Spark Team

We were born of innovation, springing from the curiosity, imagination and dedication of remarkable scientists and healthcare visionaries. Our shared mission is to challenge the inevitability of genetic disease by discovering, developing, and delivering treatments in ways unimaginable – until now.

We don’t follow footsteps. We create the path.

The Corporate Communications Lead will work across the Communications & Community Engagement function to manage key department activities including strategic planning, channel management, budgets, internal and external editorial calendars, and will partner with the Head of Communications and Community Engagement in providing corporate communications counsel and support to the corporate management team at Spark.

Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Shaping and executing a broad Communications and Community Engagement strategy designed to clearly communicate Spark’s brand promise, reinforce its position as a leading gene therapy company externally and engage team members internally.
• Managing all of Spark’s channels including the corporate website, social media feeds, Intranet and press release schedule to ensure a steady drumbeat of Company news.
• Managing team who will provide support to the entire Communications and Community Engagement Team, working to manage their workloads and priorities.
• Partnering and collaborating with fellow Communications and Community Engagement leaders to develop and drive a broad corporate communications and employee communications strategy for Spark at the enterprise level.
• Managing public relations agencies, vendors and the associated budgets for the department.
• Serving as a storyteller, writing a host of external media materials, internal employee messages, executive talking points and speeches, as well as social media and other digital content.
• Working directly with senior executives to support communications needs as they arise.
• Measuring, tracking and reporting on progress of corporate communication programming.
• Ensuring proper corporate review and approval of all corporate communication assets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

15% Strategic Planning: Shape the development of an integrated communication strategy in partnership with the Head of Communications and Community Engagement to meet the Company’s business objectives.

30% Content Development and Channel Management: Develop messaging and communications tailored to relevant audiences and written in simple-to-understand, relatable and authentic ways. Manage communication channels to ensure they are used effectively to execute the department strategy.

30% Collaboration and People Management: Work across teams, working closely with other Communications and Community Engagement leads and business leaders, to move key projects forward. Manage two Communication Specialists who will work across the department to support the execution of the department’s plan.

25% Project Management & Administration: Manage public relations agency partners/ vendors and budget to drive positive business outcomes.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related area of study.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience; experience in a life sciences company preferred.
• Strong project management experience
• 3+ years of people management experience.
• A creative storyteller and versatile writer, with an ability to provide strategic communications counsel.
• Proven experience in external communications and internal communications in a corporate setting, developing compelling communication strategies with clear and measurable goals.
• Media relations experience required.

COMPETENCIES:

• We are looking for a detail-oriented, well-rounded communications professional who is experienced in managing a team and a variety of projects in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong experience in managing similar areas of responsibility in peer organizations
• Able to bring disparate plans and activities together to tell a cohesive narrative
• Intellectual curiosity
• Sets ambitious goals to reach for best class practice
• Collaborates and looks to support colleagues; sees value in championing the work of the group over the individual
• Offers enthusiasm and empathy toward other leaders and their respective team goals; influences and ensures alignment toward common priorities
• Navigates change and uncertainty; is agile in responding to feedback from within and outside the organization
• Embraces and embodies the Spark values: “break the barriers, own your excellence, commit to collaborate, demonstrate the respect you seek, and above all, champion the patient”
• Thoughtfully leads through influence and maintains focus on top priorities; delegates effectively while managing performance and holding direct reports accountable
• Able to connect, engage in open dialogue, disagree when necessary, and compromise toward the greater good of Spark

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