Director internal communications

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Paylocity is an award-winning provider of cloud-based HR and payroll software solutions, offering the most complete platform for the modern workforce. The company has become one of the fastest-growing HCM software providers worldwide by offering an intuitive, easy-to-use product suite that helps businesses automate and streamline HR and payroll processes, attract and retain talent, and build a strong workplace culture.

While traditional HR and payroll providers automate basic HR processes such as payroll and benefits administration, Paylocity goes further by developing tools that HR and businesses need to compete for talent and deliver against the expectations of the modern workforce.

We give our employees what they need to succeed, including great benefits and perks! We offer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and a 401(k) match, as well as perks that support you, your family, and your finances. And if it’s career development you desire, we provide that, too! At Paylocity, people matter most and have always been at the heart of our business.

When you feel like you belong, work is no longer work – it's personal. At Paylocity, we believe better employees lead to better companies. Workplaces and cultures that care will build the future, and at Paylocity, we’re doing just that. Join us as we change the future and transform your career!

There are jobs and then there are careers . Since 1997, Paylocity has been hiring talented people, giving them big challenges, and providing the right resources to help them succeed. Our award-winning culture ensures all employees feel truly welcome, appreciated, and free to be themselves. While other companies talk about it, we make it happen. Join Paylocity and launch your career!

Fully Remote (U.S. Only): This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from home or location of record within the U.S. with no in-office requirements. You must be available five days per week during designated work hours. The work arrangement for this role is subject to change based on business needs and individual performance. This may include adjustments to on-site requirements or schedule expectations, as necessary.

Requirements

Position Overview

The Director of Internal Communications will lead the strategic development and execution of internal communication initiatives that inform, align, and engage employees across the organization. This role will serve as a key partner to the Executive Team, Human Resources, and functional business units, ensuring that messaging is consistent, impactful, and aligned with company values and priorities. In addition to being accountable for strategy and execution, this is a hands-on role where the Director will be actively composing and acting as editor-in-chief to support the current scope of work, while also coaching and mentoring team members to create a lean, high-performing team that can thrive under pressure and create clarity and engagement through communications. The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator and leader, and has significant experience leading internal communications strategy and execution in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

The below represents the primary duties of the position, others may be assigned as needed. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Define and drive the internal communications strategy to support organizational goals, cultural alignment, and employee engagement.
• Build and manage relationships with the Executive Team, HR, Marketing, Legal, and Product to communicate key initiatives, organizational changes, and strategic priorities.
• Lead both strategy and execution of crisis communications and ensure that we provide critical, time-sensitive, clear and consistent information and perspective to employees that will inform and resonate with them.
• Oversee the creation of compelling content across channels (Community, Home, email, leadership hub, employee hub, PCTY News, etc.) that resonates with diverse/cross-functional employee audiences that reinforces company values, mission and vision and aligns with external brand and talent efforts.
• Own and manage the relationships with Product and People Operations to drive awareness and adoption for our internal product testing and launches
• Oversee Community listening and social media response for Glassdoor; respond and react appropriately and effectively to Employee feedback within Community and other communication platforms.
• Support Change Management Team, HRBPs and Leaders of critical initiatives with communication efforts around organizational change, M&A, transformation initiatives, and business unit updates.
• Establish KPIs and feedback mechanisms to assess communication effectiveness and continuously improve engagement strategies.
• Leverage data and analytics to assess impact, identify trends, and inform continuous improvement strategies.
• Own and execute any internal executive communications as needed, including town halls, presentations, and talking points
• Work with Marketing, Product, Multi-Media, and other departments to ensure alignment and consistency in approach and messaging.
• Anchor internal video and news segments, moderate leadership Q&As, and introduce enterprise initiatives with a confident, credible on-camera presence
• Champion cross-functional collaboration, influencing senior stakeholders and guiding teams without direct authority to ensure alignment and execution of effective communications.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to support business needs and resolve challenges.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to ensure alignment and success.
• Mitigate risk proactively, surface critical issues and develop contingency plans to ensure continuity across all communication projects.
• Create and share best practices, tools, and resources to build internal capabilities within and outside of the Internal Comms Team.
• Lead and develop a high-performing internal communications team that can leverage process and technology to maximize output while creating a consistent product for employees.
• Mentor and intentionally develop direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.
  
  

Education And Experience

• 12+ years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or related fields.
• Proven leadership experience managing communication teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Advanced writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Experience supporting executive-level communications and change management.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence stakeholders.
• Familiarity with communication platforms and analytics tools, including ability to maximize SharePoint sites as communication hubs
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in communications, journalism, or public relations.
• Proven ability to create meaningful KPIs and measures of success, as well as the ability analyze and interpret data to drive decision-making.
• Strong executive presence with ability to influence without authority.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and levels, influencing and managing stakeholders effectively.
• Highly refined project management skills, with the ability to lead, prioritize and execute multiple complex/cross-functional initiatives simultaneously.
• Comfortable navigating both strategic and tactical responsibilities in dynamic environments.
• Proven on-camera presentation skills (teleprompter experience a plus); comfortable recording live or pre-recorded content.
• Comfortable hosting interviews and panels for both live and pre-recorded events; adept at adjusting tone for diverse employee audiences.
• While not required to be in Chicago, candidates that are within the Chicago metro area (or within a reasonable commuting distance) will be given preference over fully remote candidates.
  
  

Paylocity is an equal-opportunity employer. Paylocity is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. At Paylocity, we believe diversity makes us better.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, culture, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We actively cultivate these differences through our employee resource groups (ERGs), employee experiences, perspectives, talents, and approaches to drive innovation in the software and services we provide our customers.

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the job application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. This email address is exclusively designated for such requests, aligning with federal and state disability laws. Please do not send resumes to this email address, as they will be removed.

The base pay range for this position is $175 - $190/yr; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This position is eligible for an annual bonus and restricted stock unit grant based on individual performance in addition to a full range of benefits outlined here. This information is provided per the relevant state and local pay transparency laws for the location in which this position will be performed. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via