As a Principal Communications Consultant at Lockton, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering comprehensive communication strategies that align with our clients' goals and enhance their reputations. You will lead a team of communications professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and expertise to ensure the successful execution of projects across various platforms and channels.

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans that address client objectives and challenges, leveraging your expertise in employee benefits, change management, storytelling, employee value propositions, digital communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, building strong relationships and understanding their needs to deliver high-quality, results-driven communication solutions.
• Lead a team of communications specialists, providing direction, support, and professional development opportunities to ensure their growth and the overall success of client engagements.
• Utilize metrics and analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, making data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement and optimization.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in communications, contributing to the company's thought leadership initiatives and enhancing our service offerings.
• Work directly with clients to define project scope, gather necessary information, and set shared expectations regarding content, design and deadlines.
• Provide planning and consulting advice to clients regarding messaging, layout, medium selection, and distribution channel management.
• Work with clients throughout development to ensure new direction is incorporated, questions are answered, and collaborative environment is maintained.
• Helps develop overall client strategy and runs strategy meetings.
• Demonstrates proficiency in managing large complex high-profile clients and projects.
• Proactively drives organic growth by identifying new opportunities within existing accounts, engaging in strategic prospecting, and supporting business development initiatives.
• Independently serve as lead creator of scoped content.
• Write flawless and effective copy.
• Define and convey clear messaging and creative direction to writers and designers.
• Review and edit content and design to ensure content aligns with client strategy.
• Achieve the desired output by editing art and copy to clearly convey key messages.
• Independently manage the coordination of internal partners (strategic consultants, benefits service teams, traffic managers, copywriters, proofers and graphic designers) to ensure commitments are met and deliverables exceed client expectations, seeking out guidance as needed.
• Follow processes as defined by the SVP, Practice Leader.
• Ensure success of overall project.
• Ensure error-free delivery of projects by following established proofreading procedures.
• Create and maintain client editorial calendars, communication plans and project plans.
• Review each stage of development to ensure projects stay within scope and meet client objectives.
• Independently organize the team calendar, assign responsibilities, and keep team on task for deliverables.
• Able to attend evening and lunch events with clients to build ongoing relationships.
• Present concepts and plans to internal and external audiences.
• Participate in internal office meetings as required.
• Travel to client meetings as needed.
• Oversee account teams on complex projects to ensure efficiency and creative excellence.
• Subject Matter Expert for the Communication team.
• Mentor and develop other associates.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field. Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., APR) preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, employee communication, corporate communication, marketing, advertising, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of success in managing complex projects and client relationships.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience in managing teams, fostering a collaborative work environment, and driving performance towards achieving goals.
• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to communication challenges, with a deep understanding of different communication channels and their effectiveness.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly, influence stakeholders, and craft compelling narratives.
• Proficiency in using data and analytics to inform decisions and measure the impact of communication strategies.
• A client-centric approach with a passion for understanding client needs and delivering solutions that exceed expectations.
• Superior customer service skills
• Strong working knowledge in use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Strong knowledge of AP Style
• Excellent writing, proofing and editing skills with a strong drive for accuracy and detail.
• Exemplary aptitude and proven ability for use of the English language with regard to sentence structure, punctuation, paragraph formation, and grammar and proofreading skills
• Ability to apply and enforce client established brand guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of total rewards, including compensation, medical plans, dental and vision, life and disability, etc. is preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly productive and collaborative environment through strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.

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