Sr. HR Communications Specialist

Job Description:

Location: This role is also eligible for remote hire in Florida, Georgia and Texas

Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Rakuten International business portfolio includes market leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment. We create products and services that provide exceptional value by aligning members and the businesses that want to engage them in a shared community. 

Summary: 

We are seeking a highly organized, strategic, and experienced Sr. HR Communications Specialist to elevate the impact and consistency of our internal HR communications. This is a critical role that will focus on the strategy, coordination, trafficking, and integration of HR communication initiatives across diverse programs and business units, ensuring cohesive and impactful employee experience. This role will partner closely with our existing corporate communications team on HR content creation and design. In addition, this role will provide the essential communications workstream project management skills and capabilities to connect the dots, manage timelines, and ensure our messages resonate effectively and consistently across the organization. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES 

What You'll Do: 

Strategic Communications Program Management: 

• Develop and manage comprehensive communication plans for major HR initiatives, ensuring alignment with overall HR and company objectives. 

• Act as the central point of contact for HR communication requests and projects, triaging needs, setting priorities, and allocating time effectively. 

• Proactively identify opportunities for communication integration and synergy across different HR functions (e.g., connecting Performance Management with Businesses, HQ and ensuring consistent benefits messaging across all Rakuten International orgs). 

• Partner with various HR teams (e.g., Global Talent Management & Inclusion, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Employee Engagement) to understand their communication needs and translate them into actionable project plans. 

• Create and manage the annual HR editorial calendar 

• Project manage the communication aspects related to outcomes and initiatives stemming from the Organizational Health Survey (OHS) each year, ensuring progress is tracked and communicated effectively. 

Cross-Functional Comms Initiative Trafficking & Coordination: 

• Lead the coordination and seamless delivery of complex, cross-cutting HR communication initiatives that span multiple remits and business units. 

• Ensure seamless coordination between overarching company programs and specific HR team remits, creating a unified narrative. 

• Manage timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations across a diverse portfolio of communication workstreams, from concept to execution. 

• Stakeholder Management: Serve as a Communications SME to HR leaders on communication strategy and best practices for project execution. 

• Build stro