Communications Lead

We have an exciting opportunity for a Communications Lead at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement, based in our Evanston, IL office.

The Communications Lead will develop and produce a wide variety of internal, organizational, and external-facing content that directly impacts UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) organizations to promote awareness of ongoing research, collaborations, and support the organizations’ growth strategy. This role will develop, execute, and support organization-wide communications in the areas of HR and change management, while translating business strategies into key messages, developing appropriate communications tailored to the audience in support of those strategies, and execute and drive programs that support alignment across the organizations.  

Underwriters Laboratories

At UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement (UL), we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!

As the Communications Lead, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Compose and edit content for a variety of communications and audiences.
• Create and develop communications and transformation plans, including on-going dissemination and management of information to all key constituents and employees.
• Content to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the variety of audiences, core messaging for these audiences, appropriateness of various technologies and frequency of communications.
• Create and distribute content across multiple channels and support ongoing evolution and innovation of channels, tools and formats that support internal communications and foster employee engagement.
• Provide editorial and communications guidance to coworkers and other business partners, both strategic and tactical.
• Review copy and adjust as needed, conferring with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy of revisions.
• Lead content review for accuracy, readability, grammar, and adherence to brand guidelines that includes tone, voice, and style.
• Onboard or work closely with freelance authors about writing style, content ideas; plan, write, and work with vendors to produce video content for online distribution.
• Collaborate with internal and external communications colleagues from other groups as needed (e.g., brand, designers, marketing, and public relations) to ensure visual appeal, content clarity, consistency and reach across channels.
• Measure content effectiveness with metrics that establish, validate, and inform content strategy.
• Contribute to and/or lead other department specific or cross-functional initiatives.

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Expert and disciplined communicator, with demonstrated ability to translate technical information into meaningful content for a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage and facilitate internal communications activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write clearly, effectively, and persuasively for internal and external audiences.
• Proactive problem-solving skills to leverage effective solutions by application of concepts, knowledge, resources, or processes.
• Highly motivated and dynamic self-starter; ability to learn at an accelerated pace.
• Excellent project management skills. Ability to evaluate competing and changing priorities, resources, and time demands to manage and own projects that are realistic and achievable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to identify and analyze business and audience needs to deliver messages via the most appropriate mix of media and channels.  
• Working knowledge of video production and ability to navigate new media/social media.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment within a rapidly growing organization.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office software

 Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, History, or related field
• Minimum 8 years related experience with an emphasis on HR related communications.
• Proficiency in Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, and the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Experience with agency management and suppliers.
• A science writing background is a plus.
• Some graphic design experience is a plus.

UL has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited by law), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do.
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best.
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers’ create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles, you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagementare eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Solutions, advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Solutions, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.