Chicago - Senior Manager, Internal Communications and Change Management

This role serves as a key partner to firm leadership, departmental chiefs, and cross-functional teams, ensuring that strategic priorities are communicated clearly and that attorneys and business professionals are informed, inspired, and equipped to adopt change with confidence.

Reporting to the Director of Operations Strategy & Innovation, the Senior Manager will combine creativity with operational excellence while developing communication plans, managing complex initiatives, and delivering compelling content that drives engagement across Winston's offices. With a deep understanding of organizational culture and transformation, this individual will help shape how the firm connects, communicates, and evolves, supporting an informed and forward-looking workplace.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communications Planning & Execution

• Develop and manage internal communications plans and campaigns that support firm priorities, operational initiatives, and cultural programs.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable communications that engage and inform audiences across departments, offices, and functions.
• Draft, edit, and produce clear, compelling written and visual content, including announcements, newsletters, leadership messages, intranet updates, and talking points.
• Maintain the firm's internal communications calendar and coordinate across stakeholders to ensure timely, consistent messaging.
• Partner with the leaders and cross-functional teams on content creation, channel management, and editorial execution.

Change Management Support

• Partner with leadership and project teams to plan and deliver communication strategies that support major change initiatives.
• Help develop materials, toolkits, and communication assets that explain the "why," "what," and "how" of organizational transformations.
• Monitor employee feedback and readiness to inform and refine messaging approaches.
• Support the integration of structured change management practices across firm programs and initiatives.

Channel and Content Management

• Oversee firmwide internal communication channels, ensuring content quality, consistency, and alignment with firm tone and brand.
• Manage updates and engagement within platforms such as SharePoint, Teams, , and other internal tools.
• Use analytics and feedback to continuously improve communication effectiveness and engagement.

Collaboration & Enablement

• Serve as a business partner to designated departmental chiefs in the strategy and execution of high-priority departmental communications.
• Prepare talking points and presentation materials for senior leaders and department chiefs.
• Contribute to cross-functional planning and ensure internal communications are coordinated across all major firm initiatives.
• Lead firmwide enablement of communications excellence, developing and leading trainings that enhance communication skills across roles and departments.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in Communications, Journalism, Organizational Psychology, Business, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in internal communications, employee engagement, or change management, preferably within a global professional services or complex corporate environment required.
• Must live within a commutable distance to the firm office with the ability to come into the office 3-4 days per week.

• Proven ability to translate business strategy into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Prosci, CCMP, or an equivalent recognized change management certification preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with attention to tone, structure, and clarity.
• Exceptional slide-writing skills required.
• Experience managing internal communication channels and digital platforms (SharePoint, Teams, intranet CMS).
• Demonstrated success managing concurrent projects, deadlines, and stakeholders with precision and professionalism.
• Extensive experience leveraging GenAI to enhance communications and leading campaigns to increase GenAI adoption.
• Skilled communicator who balances creativity with clarity and structure.
• Collaborative team player with strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic executor who is able to think holistically while delivering tactical excellence.
• Empathetic, culturally attuned, and skilled at communicating through periods of change.

BENEFITS

Winston offers comprehensive benefits that provide a full spectrum of coverage and support for our full-time employees and their families. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

SALARY

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.#LI-DC2