Senior Communications & Change Management Project Manager

Senior Communications & Change Management Project Manager
Location: Lake County, IL or Remote for local candidates 
Contract Duration: 12 Months
Schedule: Hybrid – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday onsite | Monday and Friday remote
Industry: Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences
Position Level: Senior / Project Manager III
$82-$87/hr based on benefit selections
 
We are seeking an experienced Senior Communications & Change Management Project Manager to lead strategic internal communications, employee engagement, and organizational change management initiatives within a global pharmaceutical organization.
This highly visible position will partner closely with executive leadership, cross-functional stakeholders, and subject matter experts to develop and execute communication strategies that support organizational priorities, business transformation, and employee engagement.
The ideal candidate brings a strong background in corporate communications, executive communications, organizational change management, and strategic project leadership, with the ability to translate complex business initiatives into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
This role requires someone who can operate both strategically and tactically—developing comprehensive communication and change management plans while also creating executive presentations, employee newsletters, leadership talking points, and other high-impact communications.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Communications & Employee Engagement

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of internal communication strategies aligned with organizational objectives and business priorities.
• Partner with business leaders and subject matter experts to identify communication needs, develop messaging, and support cross-functional initiatives.
• Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans tailored to multiple audiences, incorporating stakeholder analysis, messaging, timing, communication channels, and effectiveness tracking.
• Draft, edit, and distribute organization-wide employee communications, including newsletters, announcements, leadership updates, and other internal messaging.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive communications calendar to ensure consistent, timely, and coordinated messaging.
• Lead and support employee advisory groups, including developing meeting agendas, facilitating discussions, coordinating meetings, and summarizing recommendations and outcomes for leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve employee engagement, communication effectiveness, and organizational alignment.

Executive Communications & Leadership Support

• Provide strategic communications support to senior executives, including the Vice President and leadership team.
• Develop executive presentations, PowerPoint slides, speeches, talking points, and leadership messaging for internal meetings and organizational initiatives.
• Support executive video communications, including scriptwriting, talking point development, and production coordination.
• Plan and coordinate organization-wide meetings, employee recognition programs, leadership forums, and other engagement initiatives.
• Support strategic messaging initiatives that reinforce organizational priorities, cultural objectives, and leadership alignment.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure communications are clear, consistent, engaging, and aligned with business objectives.

Organizational Change Management

• Develop and implement structured change management strategies to support organizational transformation and complex business initiatives.
• Create detailed change management plans, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, readiness assessments, and implementation activities.
• Conduct change impact assessments, stakeholder analyses, organizational alignment evaluations, and cultural readiness assessments.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop communications and training strategies that support successful change adoption.
• Identify potential barriers to change and recommend strategies to improve employee understanding, engagement, and adoption.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of change management initiatives and recommend continuous improvements.
• Support business and technology transformation initiatives by ensuring employees and stakeholders receive appropriate communication, resources, and guidance.

Project & Program Management

• Lead multiple concurrent communications and change management projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, communication deliverables, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Coordinate activities across departments, business units, and global teams to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Facilitate meetings, track deliverables, manage competing priorities, and proactively address project risks or challenges.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure projects achieve intended business outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to optimize existing communication processes, employee engagement programs, and change management practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Integrated Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent qualifications.
• 9+ years of professional experience in corporate communications, internal communications, organizational change management, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communication plans for large, complex organizations.
• Strong executive communications experience, including preparing leadership presentations, talking points, organizational announcements, and employee-facing messaging.
• Experience developing and implementing change management strategies supporting complex business or technology initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to anticipate organizational needs and align communication strategies with business objectives.
• Experience working within complex, matrixed organizations and collaborating with global, cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, build relationships, and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading teams, managing multiple projects, or overseeing complex initiatives.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Awareness of cultural differences and experience tailoring communications for diverse or global audiences.
• Familiarity with emerging communication trends, technologies, and engagement strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences industry.
• Experience supporting senior executives or Vice President-level leadership.
• Experience with organizational transformation, employee engagement, or enterprise-wide change initiatives.
• Knowledge of structured change management methodologies and frameworks.
• Experience developing communications for large-scale technology implementations or business transformation programs.
• Project planning and management experience involving successful implementation of business initiatives with technology components.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, exceptional communicator, and highly organized project leader who can confidently partner with senior executives while managing the day-to-day execution of communications and change initiatives.
We're looking for someone who can:

• Translate complex business priorities into clear, actionable communications.
• Build credibility and influence across executive and cross-functional teams.
• Balance strategic planning with hands-on content development and execution.
• Manage multiple high-visibility initiatives simultaneously.
• Adapt communication strategies to different audiences and organizational needs.
• Anticipate challenges, take initiative, and drive projects forward independently.
• Support employees and leaders through organizational change with thoughtful, effective communication.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced communications and change management professional to make a meaningful impact on organizational transformation, leadership engagement, and employee communications within a global life sciences environment.
 
 
 


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