Are you looking for a career where you can help colleagues do their best work? Is creating a great culture and keeping people informed important to you? Do you want a role that improves the lives of others? If so, PERA may be just what you’re looking for. We’re adding to the team and need a skilled communications professional committed to keeping our employees in the know and connected to the public servants who depend on us for their retirement benefits.
PERA’s employee communications connects our 350 employees to our mission of serving members by telling great stories about the work of our staff, explaining how the company provides benefits to current and retired members and actively contributes to employee engagement. If you have a background in public relations (even better if you have experience in internal communications) and want to be part of a progressive team doing rewarding work, we want to talk to you.
Job Summary
The Communication Specialist focused on employee communications ensures a mutual understanding of PERAs Strategic Communications Plan and goals, reinforces PERA's brand and values, and engages employees to more effectively respond to change by promoting opportunities for two-way communication. This position contributes to the health and strength of PERA by overseeing content to effectively integrate organizational priorities into employee messages. A successful candidate works closely with the Senior Director of Communications, Executive Director and Human Resources to develop and release employee communications to facilitate organizational change and to contribute to a culture of engagement, collaboration, continuous learning, improvement and risk awareness.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Keeping employees informed and engaged in PERA’s mission is the top priority for this position. The ideal candidate is passionate about telling great employee stories, building a culture of engagement and helping our staff understand how they play an important role in achieving company priorities. They are curious about what colleagues are doing across the organization, able to link that work to PERA’s vision and mission, and comfortable interacting with senior leadership to help shape employee communications and identify trends in company culture/engagement.
Essential Functions
- Understands the mission and services provided by PERA in order to actively inform employees
- Develops and implements strategic communication plans in support of organizational priorities
- Develops and implements processes and programs to determine the needs and desires of the organization. In coordination with Human Resources, reports information gathered from employee surveys, focus groups, on-line tools and other processes
- Keeps informed on and implements innovative and useful methods of communication with a focus on trends in internal communications
- Works with senior staff to understand organizational trends and communicate change as directed
- Establishes good working relationships with the Executive Director and division directors to facilitate timely, accurate, and positive dissemination of employee messages. Answers information requests from divisions as needed
- In partnership with Executive staff, HR and employee committees, coordinates company event calendar; participates on PERA Heart Committee and establishes connections to employee groups such as Community of Practice to facilitate information to be shared with PERA employees; and Serves as a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. May serve as committee chair on a rotational basis
- Advises Senior Director of Communication and Director of Communication on appropriate intranet content for employee communications related to compensation, benefits, staffing structures, staff development programs, and change management messages
- Serves as an adviser to organization leaders on issues related to internal messaging and communications
- Consults with assigned departments/divisions in developing strategies and communication plans
- Manages and integrates internal communications, as assigned, across all employee communication platforms (web, social media, print, video)
- Assists in facilitating cross-department teams related to employee communications and assists with presentations to employee groups
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Communication and video staff, oversees and manages internal employee meetings/video streaming with the Executive Director
- With assistance from Human Resources, oversees and manages communication of the employee recognition programs
- Provides editorial support to staff to ensure that written materials presented to employees reflect the standards of PERA
- Writes employee messages, newsletters, brochures, flyers, scripts and other items
- Project manages PERAs monthly employee newsletter, video news, and employee recognition programs
- Serves as a spokesperson for PERAs monthly employee video news program
- Based on direction from the Senior Director of Communication, prioritizes internal communication projects to assure that employee communication supports organization and department policy goals and organizational objectives
- Posts and manages content on PERAs employee intranet
- Coordinates all duties related to the preparation and implementation of the Employee All-Staff meetings
- Contributes to external communications projects as assigned
- Participates in training and educational opportunities for ongoing professional development
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field required.
- Minimum of five years of experience in internal communication, public information, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
- Demonstrated ability to resolve issues using own initiative, under minimal supervision, time pressure, and competing interests
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with experience in print, web, and social media
- Professional experience in working with senior management and staff on internal and external communications
- Work experience demonstrating flexibility and excellent organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, respond to requests for information in a timely manner, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Experience with developing, managing and executing internal communication plans for the organization
- Experience in analyzing and measuring effectiveness of messaging
- Demonstrated strategic agility to anticipate potential outcomes and consequences related to employee communication and political issues
- Courage to provide objective feedback and represent a minority perspective
- Interpersonal savvy to relate to all levels of leadership and staff to build effective relationships
- Reputation for integrity and trust in dealing with confidential information
- Ability to deal with ambiguity and effectively cope with change in work plans and priorities
- Strong attention to detail, grammar and accuracy of information
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Standard office environment with regular telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine
- Occasional travel by car or plane as necessary for business purposes
- All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
WORK FROM HOME OPTION
- Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.
Job Description Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned with or without notice.
Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.
All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES
Complete the employment application online at www.copera.org/careers. Have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. As part of the online application, you will be asked for a response to the following questions.
- Describe your experience working with executives and Human Resources to keep employees informed.
- How do you balance your personal views with your role as a communications professional championing company policy, vision and business objectives?
- Describe your experience gathering employee stories, company information and new initiatives in order to convey engaging information to employees.
- Describe the metrics you use to measure communication success, including stakeholder relationships.
As part of the application process we would like you to submit up to three work samples from your past employment. Please send your samples via e-mail directly to asailer@copera.org.
About Colorado Pera
Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado’s largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 700,000 members who are former and current public employees.
At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees’ growth through training and leadership opportunities.
To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA’s defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.
To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit
www.copera.org/careers.
Position Title: Communications Specialist - Employee Communications
Division: Communications
Reports to: Senior Director of Communications
Job Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $82,000 - $100,000 annually, Commensurate with experience
Posting Date: 4/25/2025 – 5/11/2025
