Project Communication & Engagement Manager

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Project Communication and Engagement Manager:

The Project Communication and Engagement Manager role is part of the Planning and Programs team reporting into the Project Management group. The manager will bring an innovative approach to ensure that people across LA28 are informed and engaged about the progress being made across all areas, challenges and how they have been overcome, and key decisions. This role is responsible for working closely with leaders from across all areas such as Sport, Ceremonies, Transportation, Venues, Finance and many others to ensure integrated communications and planning with respect to the status of projects and programs.  They will also ensure that all areas are working closely with and communicating effectively with the project management group with respect to their own work and related cross-functional projects that are impactful to their portfolio and the organization.

Additionally, this role will lead the internal communication conduit across various levels of governance within the organization.  The manager will also create, as needed, bespoke communications tailored for senior leadership.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external teams is essential to providing effective communication channels. This is a highly collaborative role and is best suited for someone who enjoys working with a team to make sense of complex and sometimes contradictory information, to solve problems, and to bring people together toward a common goal. Then disseminating the information in documents and artifacts that are appropriate and best suited for the message being communicated.

The ideal candidate will have experience interfacing with senior leaders and executives in a fast-paced vibrant environment. They will have overseen communication dynamics across large portfolios of projects, end to end, and have a combination of project management skills, superior communication skills (written and verbal) and excellent interpersonal skills. They will be comfortable in a matrixed environment working and often leading critical communication efforts without direct supervision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop Communication Plans: Create and implement comprehensive communication strategies to ensure all stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle of numerous initiatives, large and small.
• Governance Forum Communication: Ensure that individuals responsible for governance forums have the right tools and reflexes to share information effectively and timely.
• Content Creation: Produce and oversee the creation of engaging and innovative project-related content, including reports, presentations, newsletters, and updates.
• Feedback Collection: Gather and analyze feedback from stakeholders to improve communication strategies and project outcomes.
• Event Coordination: Plan and execute project-related events, such as meetings, workshops, conferences, and lunch and learns.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Track communication activities and provide regular reports on their effectiveness and impact.
• Training and Support:  Provide training and support to project team members on effective communication practices and tools.

Background & Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience managing communications across a large complex portfolio of programs or projects with proficiency implementing processes and standards related to communications, or similar experience.
• Strong background with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint.
• Ability to create compelling communications content, some with graphics such as charts and tables, using various software applications.
• Experienced in communication practices and generating reports that cover project risks, assumptions, issues and decisions. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communication plans that canvas the entire spectrum of governance from general population all-hands meeting up to executive level and boardroom reporting.
• Ability to analyse data to inform senior leadership for decision-making and reporting. This includes excellent presentation preparation skills, attention to detail, and ability to adjust communication models and document vehicles to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in managing governance structures and frameworks, and confidence in owning notes, agendas, and presentations for governance forums.

Some expertise in using project management tools (Smartsheet experience would be a plus but not required)

Position Requirements:

• Ability to work On-site in an office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA
• Most of the work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment

Education / Training / Certifications:

• Experience working in business or large, complex project communication roles.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, or a related field.
• Ongoing professional development, certifications, or training in program and project management, change management, communications or like areas.

Expectations:

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and team members
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective internal and external communications
• Strong leadership abilities to guide and mentor project teams and working groups without direct supervision
• Exceptional organizational skills to manage communications across multiple projects and governance activities
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders and teams
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate project progress and make informed decisions about how best to communicate the disposition of a given initiative
• Excellent judgment, knowing when to escalate issues
• Excellent analytical skills, capable of identifying and prioritizing issues and tasks and providing alternative solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Submission Requirements:

• Resume
• Cover letter (encouraged but not required)

The annual base salary range for this position is $85 - 105K. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.