Senior Consultant, Internal & Change Communications

ABOUT GAGEN MACDONALD

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Gagen MacDonald is a wholly owned subsidiary of APCO, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy. 

Gagen MacDonald is a woman-owned, people-focused transformation consulting firm and trusted partner to the C-suite. We are dedicated to accelerating human-centered transformation and enhancing business performance by connecting strategy, structure and culture to purpose, brand and reputation.

For more than 25 years, we have been working with organizations to navigate the human struggle of change. By changing the employee experience through culture, communication, leadership and design, we unite employees across all levels of an organization around a single vision, working from the inside out.

At Gagen, we are committed to delivering on our firm’s core value, “Our cause is our clients’ success,” to help organizations build a healthier business for a better world. 

To do that, we need highly talented people for whom client service and high-quality change communication is a priority. 

THE SENIOR CONSULTANT ROLE

The Senior Consultant is a specialist in internal communication with a passion for the human struggle of change, the capability to rally employees around a shared vision and an eagerness to learn and grow. 

You’ll work as part of a collaborative team on a wide range of projects – from developing engaging internal and leader communications to helping organizations manage through big strategy or operational changes. You'll make a difference by changing the employee experience so organizations work for everyone.

With experience and proven performance, you will have the opportunity to grow into greater levels of accountability and help shape the future of our firm.

The job can be based at one of APCO’s U.S. offices (Chicago, NYC, DC, Raleigh) or a home office and it requires some travel to client sites and company meetings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Great work begets great work. 

In this role, you are responsible for supporting and contributing to the development of client solutions and deliverables as a member of a client team. You will consult some of the leading brands in the world, allowing our clients to benefit from your expertise in internal communications, change management, employee engagement, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), business transformation and other types of large-scale organizational change.

Client Delivery:

• You will deliver quality writing, peer review, editing and proofreading. 
• You will contribute to brainstorming, planning and problem solving with your teammates.
• You will act with urgency and organization to meet or exceed client requirements and timeframes.
• You will travel for client meetings to contribute to in-person collaboration sessions.
• You may be embedded onsite with our clients for extended periods of time as their engagements require. 

Account Management:

• You will support project management activities, including project planning, coordination and issue/risk management. 
• You will contribute to account management activities at the direction of the Account Lead, including budgeting, forecasting, planning, invoice management and account plan maintenance. 
• You will support case study development to build the firm’s thought leadership efforts. 
• You will focus on developing key professional working relationships internally and externally.

KEY COMPETENCIES

It’s not only what we do, it’s how we do it.

Building and maintaining the firm’s reputation and contributing to business success depends on each and every one of us. It requires us to approach everything we do with the core skills and competencies that our firm has become known for in the industry. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate our six core leadership competencies.

Intellectual Horsepower

Thinks things through carefully and critically before defining issues. Analyzes opportunities and problems from a broad perspective. Anticipates consequences, objections, and impacts before arriving at solutions. Shows curiosity and drive to uncover new data, root causes, new perspectives, and new solutions. 

Dealing with Ambiguity

Sees a path forward in dynamic situations and is able to push ahead despite 'unknowns.’ Makes progress and is productive in situations that are not clearly defined and/or may change frequently. Is able to act thoughtfully and productively even when 'things are up in the air.' 

Strategic/Conceptual Agility

Takes the initiative to learn/educate themselves quickly when confronted with first-time or unusual problems or concepts. Pulls together varying elements into coherent concepts or strategic view. Simplifies complex initiatives into manageable, actionable steps. Articulately paints credible pictures and visions of likelihoods, possibilities, and end states that get clients and co-workers on board. 

Driving for Growth

Continuously drives to identify and build knowledge and skills that can benefit the firm and our clients. Puts new skills and capabilities into practice. Pushes to find and do work outside of the comfort zone. Identifies opportunities to do something extraordinary, and does it. 

Interpersonal Chemistry

Instills confidence in his/her abilities immediately with clients and colleagues. Shows empathy toward clients and colleagues, and considers the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. Works collaboratively to enhance work quality. Seeks variation in thought, ideas, and experience. 

Relationship Building

Establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients and Gagen colleagues built upon inclusivity and collaboration. Demonstrates respect and accountability to colleagues and clients. Manages through differences by direct feedback, effective coaching, and mentoring. 

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• You have 4-6 years of corporate, agency or consulting experience in strategic communication roles with a focus on internal communication, employee engagement, change management, culture change and/or leadership development. Experience consulting to global Fortune 500 corporations a plus. 
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, English, journalism or related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Advanced degree a plus. 
• Demonstrated experience in successfully creating and delivering strategic communication programs aligned with business goals that deliver real results. 
• Experience working both independently and collaboratively while partnering across organizational functions. 
• Experience navigating large, complex organizations. 
• Strong writing skills, especially the ability to articulate complex situations or topics simply and in an engaging style.

COMPENSATION 

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between $67,000-$95,000 per year. Full-time employees are also eligible for performance-based bonuses and benefits. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as a final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, education, location, and shift.

OUR VALUES

Our cause is our client’s success.

• We act with integrity, humility and kindness in everything we do. 
• We are inspired by courage, passion and a sense of fun. 
• We celebrate individuals and their contributions to the vitality of our firm. 
• We build our community upon inclusive and collaborative teams, sustained through individual accountability.

CAREERS AT GAGEN MACDONALD AND APCO

With our commitment to recruit, hire, promote and retain people who reflect the diverse communities in which we operate, APCO ensures our teams bring the best possible expertise and diverse perspectives to our clients. We embrace diversity of identity, experience and thought, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. 

EOE M/F/V/D 

ABOUT APCO

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.  

Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.  

APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.  

APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact. 

By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.