Director of Culture, Communication & Engagement

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward.

The Director of Culture, Communication & Engagement is responsible for staff engagement programs and internal communication that perpetuate organizational culture based on a framework of The Henry Ford’s mission, vision, and values. This critical role leads and supports initiatives that create effective ambassadors of The Henry Ford through effective onboarding, communication, and engagement programs that support a multi-generational and diverse workforce.

In this senior leadership role, you get to create opportunities for employee engagement and recognition including wellness and institutional recognition. Collaborates in the strategic development and implementation of on-going staff and leadership learning and communication efforts.

Essential Responsibilities

• Leads internal communication that amplifies our culture and values by developing structured ways to promote consistent messaging to all staff.
• Internal Communication Strategy: Develops and implements a clear consistent internal communication strategy that keeps employees informed, engaged, and aligned with institutional goals. Collaborates with senior and executive management to craft messages, memos, newsletters, and other material that communicate key updates.
• Serves as Executive Editor of “THF Connections” and leads the publication of the weekly newsletter.
• Collaborates with president, vice president talent & culture and sr. director of media and film relations in drafting messages of key institutional importance and recommends a communications strategy with staff.
• Leads engagement programs that support the development of staff and create a sense of belonging across the organization.
• Leads planning, content, execution, and logistics of the annual employee conference. collaborates with President, Vice President Talent & Culture to design the theme of the annual employee conference.
• Leads and facilitates quarterly All-Staff and Leadership Management Team Meetings in collaboration with senior leaders, president and vice president talent & culture to ensure alignment on institutional goals.
• Leads and facilitates formal recognition programs that celebrate employee contributions and milestones including Service Award Recognition and other external award programs. Facilitates and leads staff institutional recognition: Skramstad, Kanack, Hamp, and Clara B. Ford awards.
• Leads the design, plannings, execution and communication of employment activities such as staff team building, and celebratory gatherings, community volunteerism,
• CULTURE: collects and uses data from various sources including employee survey data to recommend and implement or review policies and programs that foster a supportive, engaged workplace.
• Reviews survey data and employee insights to develop and/or design recommendations that promote an engaging and inclusive workplace that drives employee experience.
• Collaborates with T&C team in the development of employee training and orientation programs.
• May facilitate or oversee the presentation of appropriate training classes on pertinent subject matter to all levels of staff championing equity and inclusion as core training themes.
• Acts as a collaborative team player offering expertise within the team and across departments.
• Contributes to the effective team management of all problems, issues, and opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; writing, communications, human relations, or related focus preferred
• 8 or more years in training and/or human resources experience
• 5 or more years’ public presentation with a wide-ranging audience
• Demonstrates a proven ability to plan and execute events with meticulous attention to detail
• Experienced in developing and maintaining onboarding and recognition programs, anticipating staff needs related to communication and culture
• Master’s degree in museum studies a plus
  
  

Special Skills

• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead and manage staff and budget.
• Brings a positive attitude, and the ability to confidently present to large audiences in an engaging, well-organized manner that reflects the institution's culture.
• Possesses exceptional writing skills crafting compelling content, that captivates readers and fosters meaningful connections.
• Communicate clearly, transparently and with a composed demeaner delivering messages that resonate with a diverse workforce.
• Enthusiastic about the museum and its mission, with a deep understanding of the diverse museum culture and workforce.
• Effectively bridges the museum’s mission with employee engagement and communication through writing, speaking, and storytelling.
  
  

Please note that this job description is subject to modification at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution.

Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future. By honoring and celebrating people’s diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.