Senior HR / Team Member Communications Specialist

The Senior Team Member Communications Specialist supports internal communications regarding companywide human resources / Team Member Services (TMS) benefits, policies, and initiatives to drive understanding of and engagement with the offerings Whole Foods Market provides Team Members. This role leads communications for new, complex, or high-impact Team Members Services programs that affect the Team Member experience. This position primarily works with Team Member Services leaders, helping them build strategic communications plans to support their initiatives and achieve business objectives.

This position also guides the Culture Communications Strategist with communications regarding companywide culture-building programs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. This role may also support communications related to confidential initiatives and organizational or operational changes.   

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, a strategic thinker, and an excellent writer with experience writing for various audiences and channels. They should be able to help manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, while quickly reacting to business needs.

This role reports to the Senior Team Leader, Special Projects & Team Member Communications.

This role is based in Austin, TX, with an expectation of being in the Store Support office five days a week.

Position level: IC5

Responsibilities 

• Create or advise on comprehensive internal communications plans and materials to effectively communicate HR/TMS initiatives, policies, and programs to Team Members.
• Support areas may include:
  • New HR/TMS programs or offerings and reactive HR/TMS issues
  • Certain cyclical TMS/HR initiatives, such as:
    • Merit Planning
    • Performance Reviews
    • Compensation & Benefits
    • Annual Enrollment
    • Mentorship, Career Advancement, and Learning & Development Programs
    • Annual Team Member engagement survey
    • Talent Acquisition
    • Company Policies

• Works closely with various teams across the business, including Human Resource (Team Member Services), Legal, Change Enablement, DEIB, Culture, and the Executive Team.
• Serves as a strategic advisor on content, channels, and timing of communications for small- and large-scale projects and initiatives that have a significant impact on the Team Member experience and/or workplace culture.
• Supports transformative Human Resources (Team Member Services) initiatives and organizational change efforts by developing communications plans and materials to help Team Members navigate transitions.
• Ensures communications are accurate, clear and consistent and include strategic rationale so Team Members understand how initiatives reflect company objectives, mission, and values.
• Collaborates with TMS leaders and other Communications sub-teams to help identify overlaps, execute multi-channel initiatives, and manage flow of information to Team Members.
• Coordinates project postmortem discussions that contribute to team’s continual improvement. 
• Closely follows Whole Foods Market’s internal voice and style guidelines and helps business partners work within our voice and style framework.
• Coordinates with stakeholders on measurement and reporting related to communications to track effectiveness and help explore new tactics to reach all Team Members.
• Is entrusted with confidential and sensitive company information.

Skills

• Team Member-centric mindset - advocates for Team Members, keeping their need for engagement, connection and information at the core of all communications. 
• Excellent written, verbal communications and presentation skills. 
• Extraordinary attention to detail.
• Sound project management skills with the ability to work in a cross-functional and fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects. 
• Experience developing complex communications campaigns to launch large-scale programs and initiatives.  
• Experience interfacing with senior leaders.
• Ability to build consensus among a wide variety of stakeholders with competing priorities. 
• Collaborative and highly motivated; high ethical standards and integrity; ability to maintain calm in high-pressure situations.
• Strong aptitude for creative and strategic problem-solving and concise communication.
• Self-starter with ability to ideate independently and collaborate effectively.  
• Intellectually curious; proactively identifies gaps and opportunities to improve processes and procedures. 
• Must be team oriented, collaborative and considerate of multiple points of view. 
• Experience building and nurturing relationships with peers, stakeholders and leaders.  
• Ability to distill complex information and explain it in a clear and understandable way to various audiences, across different channels.

Experience

• BA/BS degree and 4-6+ years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with HR, HR communications, internal communications, employee relations issues, or change management initiatives is preferred.
• Experience working with grocery or food retailers is a plus.

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.