Sr. Manager, Communications (HR)

Job description

Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri) Environmental Conditions Office Job Description As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer. Location: Waltham, MA. Relocation assistance is NOT provided. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening. Description: Join Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Senior Manager, Communications, serving as a strategic communications partner and trusted advisor to leaders across our global HR function. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Engagement, you will partner directly with designated members of the HR Executive Team and other HR leaders to develop and execute communications strategies that advance organizational priorities, support business-critical initiatives and help colleagues understand and navigate change. In this role, you will provide strategic counsel early in the planning and decision-making process, helping leaders anticipate communications implications, shape effective approaches and connect HR initiatives to broader business priorities. You will lead integrated communications for complex HR programs and organizational changes, translating sensitive or challenging topics into clear, compelling messages that build understanding and engagement. How you will make an impact: You will balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution, applying sound judgment, strong business insight and an understanding of audience needs to deliver meaningful results. Success requires the ability to independently manage competing priorities, influence senior stakeholders across a global organization and lead complex communications initiatives with minimal supervision. You will also contribute to the continued development of the HR Communications team through collaboration, coaching and the thoughtful adoption of new tools and practices, including AI. This position is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, and requires working on-site at least four days per week, with flexibility to work remotely one day per week with manager approval, subject to business needs. What you will do: Serve as a trusted communications advisor to designated members of the HR Executive Team and other HR leaders, partnering with the Director of HR Communications to anticipate communications needs, assess stakeholder considerations and recommend effective approaches aligned with HR and business priorities. Develop and lead integrated communications strategies that align with HR objectives, advance organizational priorities and connect initiatives to Thermo Fisher's Mission and broader business goals. Lead integrated change communications for complex HR initiatives, including organizational changes, HR transformation programs, technology implementations and integrations. Partner with program leaders, HR stakeholders and change-management teams to assess audience impacts, develop targeted messaging and communications plans, and support change readiness and adoption through effective communications. Advise HR leaders on communicating organizational priorities, decisions and business-critical initiatives, developing executive messaging, presentations, talking points and colleague communications that build understanding and engagement. Proactively identify compelling stories and opportunities to connect HR initiatives, demonstrate business impact and reinforce the value HR delivers to colleagues and the organization. Lead the planning, development and delivery of integrated communications across appropriate channels and formats, including digital platforms, intranets, leadership communications and multimedia content. Independently write, edit and refine high-quality communications materials while providing strategic direction and editorial guidance to cross-functional contributors. Apply audience insights and communications best practices to ensure messages are clear, accessible, timely, engaging and appropriate for a global workforce. Build strong partnerships across HR, Global Communications and other business functions to align priorities, coordinate communications and achieve shared objectives. Exercise sound judgment, discretion and an enterprise risk and reputation mindset when communicating sensitive workforce-related matters, maintaining confidentiality and collaborating with HR, Legal, Employee Relations and other stakeholders as appropriate. Establish measurable communications objectives, evaluate effectiveness through engagement data and audience feedback, and use insights to improve colleague understanding, leader effectiveness and communications outcomes. Identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve communications effectiveness through Practical Process Improvement principles, emerging communications practices and the responsible use of digital and AI-enabled tools, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and appropriate human oversight. Independently lead complex, cross-functional communications projects, establishing priorities, coordinating resources, managing timelines and delivering high-quality results while navigating ambiguity and competing business needs. Share expertise, provide constructive feedback, and coach or mentor communications colleagues and project contributors to strengthen team capabilities and encourage continuous learning. Requirements Minimum qualifications: Advanced degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience, or bachelor's degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience in corporate, internal or employee communications, including demonstrated experience in HR communications. Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans for complex HR initiatives, organizational changes or workforce-related programs. Proven ability to independently counsel senior leaders, influence stakeholders, build consensus and translate business priorities into effective communications strategies. Advanced written, verbal and presentation skills, including experience developing executive-level messaging and translating complex or sensitive information into clear, compelling communications. Experience leading integrated change communications for large-scale projects or organizational initiatives, including audience analysis, messaging, stakeholder engagement and communications planning. Strong project management, analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment and deliver results in complex, matrixed environments. Experience using digital communications channels, audience insights and measurement approaches to develop effective communications and evaluate outcomes. Preferred qualifications: Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Organizational Development, Business or a related field. HR communications experience within a large, global, matrixed organization, particularly in life sciences, biopharma, healthcare or a related industry. Experience supporting sensitive workforce-related initiatives, including organizational design changes, talent management, employee engagement or HR technology implementations. Experience using emerging communications technologies, including responsible AI-enabled tools, to improve communications development, delivery and effectiveness. Experience mentoring colleagues, leading cross-functional project teams or providing developmental feedback