Associate Director, Internal & Change Communications (Gagen MacDonald)
Job Description
About Gagen MacDonald
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Gagen MacDonald is a wholly owned subsidiary of APCO, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy. We are a woman-owned, people-focused transformation consulting firm and trusted partner to the C-suite. We are dedicated to accelerating human-centered transformation and enhancing business performance by connecting strategy, structure and culture to purpose, brand and reputation.
For more than 25 years, we have been working with organizations to navigate the human struggle of change. Working from the inside out, we change the employee experience through culture, communication, leadership and design.
We are always seeking to meet curious, catalytic learners who are excited by the unknown and passionate about the role large companies can play in shaping a better world.
About the Role
We are seeking a Associate Director, Internal & Change Communication to develop and implement strategic communications programs that deliver business results. This is a role for someone who has passion for leading communication strategies that rally employees behind a shared purpose.
You will be part of a collaborative team that supports clients from the corporate office to the frontline, leveraging an organization’s brand, culture, vision and history to motivate and align employees to accomplish their business objectives.
The job can be based at one of APCO’s U.S. offices (Chicago, NYC, DC, Raleigh) or a home office in the U.S., preferably Central or Eastern time zones, and it requires some travel to client sites and company meetings.
What You'll Do
Join us and make a positive impact with some of the world's most admired brands using your expertise in internal communications, change management, employee engagement, crisis communication, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), business transformation and other types of large-scale organizational change. You'll make an impact with our clients by You'll make an impact with our account teams by You'll make an impact at the firm by Key Competencies It’s not only what we do, it’s how we do it. Building and maintaining the firm’s reputation and contributing to business success depends on each and every one of us. It requires us to approach everything we do with the core skills and competencies that our firm has become known for in the industry. As a member of the Gagen MacDonald team, you are expected to demonstrate our six core leadership competencies. Key Qualifications Compensation Range The US base salary for this position ranges from $90,000/year to $110,000/year. Our compensation range for this role is inclusive of several US geographic markets. APCO targets an employee's pay within this range to be based on several factors, which include but are not limited to relevant education, skills, job-related knowledge, qualifications, work experience, credentials, internal equity and/or geographic location. Gagen MacDonald Values As a woman-owned business, we believe strongly in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Gagen MacDonald’s company culture exemplifies our Beliefs and Values. Core Value: Our cause is our clients' success
Supporting values: For more information on Gagen MacDonald, visit https://www.gagenmacdonald.com. Careers at Gagen MacDonald and APCO Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Thinks things through carefully and critically before defining issues. Analyzes opportunities and problems from a broad perspective. Anticipates consequences, objections, and impacts before arriving at solutions. Shows curiosity and drive to uncover new data, root causes, new perspectives, and new solutions.
Sees a path forward in dynamic situations and is able to push ahead despite unknowns. Makes progress and is productive in situations that are not clearly defined and/or may change frequently. Is able to act thoughtfully and productively even when “things are up in the air.”
Takes the initiative to learn/educate themselves quickly when confronted with first-time or unusual problems or concepts. Pulls together varying elements into coherent concepts or strategic views. Simplifies complex initiatives into manageable, actionable steps. Articulately paints credible pictures and visions of likelihoods, possibilities and end states that get clients and co-workers on board.
Continuously drives to identify and build knowledge and skills that can benefit the firm and our clients. Puts new skills and capabilities into practice. Pushes to find and do work outside of the comfort zone. Identifies opportunities to do something extraordinary and does it.
Instills confidence in his/her abilities immediately with clients and colleagues. Shows empathy toward clients and colleagues, and considers the thoughts, feelings and perspectives of others. Works collaboratively to enhance work quality. Seeks variation in thought, ideas and experience.
Establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients and Gagen colleagues built upon inclusivity and collaboration. Demonstrates respect and accountability to colleagues and clients. Manages through differences by direct feedback, effective coaching and mentoring.
About Gagen MacDonald
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Gagen MacDonald is a wholly owned subsidiary of APCO, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy. We are a woman-owned, people-focused transformation consulting firm and trusted partner to the C-suite. We are dedicated to accelerating human-centered transformation and enhancing business performance by connecting strategy, structure and culture to purpose, brand and reputation.
For more than 25 years, we have been working with organizations to navigate the human struggle of change. Working from the inside out, we change the employee experience through culture, communication, leadership and design.
We are always seeking to meet curious, catalytic learners who are excited by the unknown and passionate about the role large companies can play in shaping a better world.
About the Role
We are seeking a Associate Director, Internal & Change Communication to develop and implement strategic communications programs that deliver business results. This is a role for someone who has passion for leading communication strategies that rally employees behind a shared purpose.
You will be part of a collaborative team that supports clients from the corporate office to the frontline, leveraging an organization’s brand, culture, vision and history to motivate and align employees to accomplish their business objectives.
The job can be based at one of APCO’s U.S. offices (Chicago, NYC, DC, Raleigh) or a home office in the U.S., preferably Central or Eastern time zones, and it requires some travel to client sites and company meetings.
What You'll Do
Join us and make a positive impact with some of the world's most admired brands using your expertise in internal communications, change management, employee engagement, crisis communication, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), business transformation and other types of large-scale organizational change. You'll make an impact with our clients by You'll make an impact with our account teams by You'll make an impact at the firm by Key Competencies It’s not only what we do, it’s how we do it. Building and maintaining the firm’s reputation and contributing to business success depends on each and every one of us. It requires us to approach everything we do with the core skills and competencies that our firm has become known for in the industry. As a member of the Gagen MacDonald team, you are expected to demonstrate our six core leadership competencies. Key Qualifications Compensation Range The US base salary for this position ranges from $90,000/year to $110,000/year. Our compensation range for this role is inclusive of several US geographic markets. APCO targets an employee's pay within this range to be based on several factors, which include but are not limited to relevant education, skills, job-related knowledge, qualifications, work experience, credentials, internal equity and/or geographic location. Gagen MacDonald Values As a woman-owned business, we believe strongly in creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Gagen MacDonald’s company culture exemplifies our Beliefs and Values. Core Value: Our cause is our clients' success
Supporting values: For more information on Gagen MacDonald, visit https://www.gagenmacdonald.com. Careers at Gagen MacDonald and APCO Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Thinks things through carefully and critically before defining issues. Analyzes opportunities and problems from a broad perspective. Anticipates consequences, objections, and impacts before arriving at solutions. Shows curiosity and drive to uncover new data, root causes, new perspectives, and new solutions.
Sees a path forward in dynamic situations and is able to push ahead despite unknowns. Makes progress and is productive in situations that are not clearly defined and/or may change frequently. Is able to act thoughtfully and productively even when “things are up in the air.”
Takes the initiative to learn/educate themselves quickly when confronted with first-time or unusual problems or concepts. Pulls together varying elements into coherent concepts or strategic views. Simplifies complex initiatives into manageable, actionable steps. Articulately paints credible pictures and visions of likelihoods, possibilities and end states that get clients and co-workers on board.
Continuously drives to identify and build knowledge and skills that can benefit the firm and our clients. Puts new skills and capabilities into practice. Pushes to find and do work outside of the comfort zone. Identifies opportunities to do something extraordinary and does it.
Instills confidence in his/her abilities immediately with clients and colleagues. Shows empathy toward clients and colleagues, and considers the thoughts, feelings and perspectives of others. Works collaboratively to enhance work quality. Seeks variation in thought, ideas and experience.
Establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients and Gagen colleagues built upon inclusivity and collaboration. Demonstrates respect and accountability to colleagues and clients. Manages through differences by direct feedback, effective coaching and mentoring.
About APCO Worldwide
APCO Worldwide is an advisory and advocacy communications consultancy helping leading public and private sector organizations be catalysts for progress, navigate the challenges of today, act with agility, anticipate social risk and build organizational reputations, relationships and solutions to succeed. APCO is an independent and majority women-owned business with offices in more than 30 global markets and work in more than 80 countries.