Senior Internal Communications Manager

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Communications with a dotted line to the Chief People and Culture Officer, the Senior Manager of Internal Communications serves as a strategic thought leader by developing, managing, and executing internal communication initiatives across the Academy.

The role will be keenly focused on strengthening communications across the Academy to build awareness of key initiatives, events, organizational changes, employee successes, thought leadership, and resources. This position will work closely with department heads and leaders and strongly collaborate with the Communications Department, People and Culture Team, and Senior Team. This role also will oversee communications related to the employee experience to engage and enhance the Academy’s distinctive culture.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed below are representative of the range of duties assigned and are not intended as an exhaustive list.

• Develop and execute internal communications strategies to ensure employees feel informed and connected to each other and the organization’s values and mission: to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
• Lead planning and execution of monthly all-staff meetings and assist with planning new staff orientations. Consult on communications strategies for other Academy-wide staff convenings as needed. 
• Work with the Learning and Engagement Lead to align Academy-wide messaging and voice related to staff engagement initiatives. 
• Serve as a trusted consultant to People and Culture on communications related to Academy programs, events, and DEIA efforts.
• Develop, manage, and write internal communications, including staff e-newsletters and announcements, under the supervision of the Director of Communications and Chief People and Culture Officer.
• Manage and write internal communications related to union bargaining. 
• Partner with the Communications team and cross-functional stakeholders to effectively manage messaging for sensitive or challenging situations, ensuring effective communication, consistency, and alignment across internal and external communications.
• Manage Intranet content and conceive new features and additions to make the Intranet engaging and useful to employees.
• Leverage and improve internal communications processes, platforms, and technologies.
• Develop, track, and measure internal engagement across internal communications platforms and channels.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Experience and/or Education:

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in internal employee communications roles in a large organization.
• Undergraduate degree in English, Journalism, Public Relations, or  Communications.
• Proven track record of building and executing internal communications programs that support organizational goals, drive employee engagement, and foster company culture.

Skills and Abilities:            

• Outstanding writing and editing skills; ability to adapt voice and tone to reflect diverse audiences and subject matter.
• Keen attention to detail and impeccable judgment with experience handling confidential matters.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and desire to cultivate and maintain open, effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced and deadline-driven work environment.
• Flexible, creative, and curious. Adept at managing multiple tasks while maintaining flexibility as priorities shift.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a diverse organization and with senior leadership, both independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for storytelling and supporting an inclusive organizational structure. 
• A positive attitude, and a desire to learn.
• Knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with content management systems is a plus.
• Bilingual (spoken and/or written) in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or other non-English language is a plus but not necessary.

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Ability to perform repetitive motions (typing) 75% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $110,000.00- $120,000.00. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-Time, Hybrid 3 days onsite, 40 hours per week

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).