Internal Communications Editor in Chief

Ford - Austin, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Austin, TX

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

At Ford, we are committed to building a better world through innovative mobility solutions. As part of the Ford Communications team, you will play a crucial role in conveying our exciting innovations to a global audience. This position as Editor in Chief for the Internal Communications team is pivotal in shaping the narrative for over 170,000 global employees, ensuring they are informed and inspired through strategic and engaging content across various internal channels. You will be responsible for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our internal communications, which are vital for fostering stakeholder trust and enhancing our global reputation. In this role, you will lead the editorial process and content team, collaborating with cross-functional partners, including interactive designers, videographers, and internal reporters. Your mission will be to develop creative and streamlined editorial content for Ford's employees, partners, and alumni through platforms such as the @FordOnline intranet and the BlueOvalNow employee app. You will also be tasked with re-evaluating and reimagining our internal communications processes to ensure a high-performance newsroom that consistently delivers must-see content. Your leadership will inspire a culture of optimism and creative excellence, as you utilize data and insights to identify unique storytelling opportunities that drive engagement and business results. You will act as a true organizational leader, ensuring that the editorial strategy aligns with the broader goals of Employee Engagement and the overall Ford Communications team. This role is not just about managing content; it's about igniting passion for our products and services and elevating confidence in the future of Ford.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative, streamlined editorial content for Ford's employees, partners, and alumni via the @FordOnline intranet, the BlueOvalNow employee app, digital signage, and alumni communications.
• Build and lead the editorial process and content team, including cross-functional partners, interactive designers, videographers, and internal reporters.
• Collaborate with the larger Ford Communications team to create editorial plans to support all major skill team moments like product launches.
• Re-evaluate and reimagine processes and practices as needed to maintain a high-performance internal communications newsroom.
• Inspire the team to tell compelling stories through various media, including film, video, graphic design, and prose tailored to internal audiences.
• Utilize data and insights to identify unique storytelling opportunities that drive attention, excitement, engagement, and business results.
• Identify and exploit emerging content and creative platform trends/software.
• Deliver multi-channel content propositions to optimize storytelling objectives.
• Act as an organizational leader and partner within the Ford Employee Communications team to ensure alignment of editorial strategy with Employee Engagement goals.
• Monitor and evaluate content performance and engagement, utilizing data and research to ensure campaign success.
• Balance staff and production budgets.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English or related field.
• 8-10 years of experience in communications, including experience in online editorial or content management roles.
• Five or more years of experience leading online publishing, channel planning, or content amplification strategies.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a news-making environment plus public relations or internal communications, digital content marketing, or content creation.
• Demonstrated track record developing comprehensive, integrated strategies designed to tell an enterprise story to internal audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with an ability to develop compelling stories that are persuasive, engaging, and quotable.
• Energetic and skilled storyteller - long form, short form, visual and up to date with latest trends.
• Experience applying quantitative methods, including data, research, impact, and measurement to content strategy.
• Strong knowledge of AEM-based publishing and collaboration tools such as Trello.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.