Internal Communications Specialist

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

This role is currently based at our Minneapolis office and will transition to our new headquarters in Dayton, MN, in 2027.  

The Internal Communications Specialist develops and executes communications that keep employees informed, engaged and connected to company priorities. This role serves as a key partner to stakeholders across the organization, translating business initiatives into clear, relevant and compelling employee communications. 

As part of the Corporate Communications team, this position is responsible for planning, creating and delivering content across internal communication channels, supporting organizational change initiatives, strengthening employee engagement and ensuring alignment with company values, culture and strategic objectives. The Internal Communications Specialist plays a critical role in enhancing the employee experience through thoughtful storytelling, effective channel management and proactive communication planning. 
 

What You Will Do at Graco 

Internal Communications Strategy & Planning 

• Develop and execute internal communication plans that support business objectives, organizational initiatives and enterprise priorities.  

• Create communication frameworks, messaging and content plans for assigned projects and campaigns.  

• Partner with business stakeholders to identify communication needs and recommend effective communication approaches. 

Content Development & Storytelling 

• Write, edit, and produce compelling employee communications across a variety of channels and formats.  

• Translate complex business information into clear, engaging and audience-focused messaging.  

• Develop content that reinforces company culture, values and strategic priorities.  

• Create communication toolkits, FAQs, presentations and supporting resources for leaders and stakeholders. 

Channel Ownership & Management 

• Manage and maintain digital employee communication channels, including:  

• The Village (intranet) 

• Village Weekly (email) 

• Corporate email communications 

• Digital signage and video boards 

• Other employee communication platforms as assigned 

• Maintain editorial calendars and publishing schedules. 

• Ensuring communications are timely, accurate, accessible and aligned with organizational standards. 

Employee Engagement & Change Communications 

• Support company-wide programs, initiatives, events and campaigns through communication planning and promotion. 

• Partner with Human Resources and business teams to support employee engagement, culture, recognition and change management efforts. 

• Help employees understand organizational priorities and changes through clear and consistent communication. 

• Gather feedback and insights to improve audience understanding and engagement. 

Measurement & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor internal communication performance through channel analytics and employee feedback. 

• Track key engagement metrics, including email open rates, intranet engagement, content consumption and participation in communication campaigns. 

• Identify opportunities to improve communication effectiveness, processes and employee experience. 

• Recommend new approaches, tools and best practices to increase engagement and reach. 

What You Will Bring to Graco 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English or a related field. 

• 3+ years of professional communications experience, with a strong focus on internal communications, employee communications, public relations or corporate communications. 

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills. 

• Strong project management and organizational abilities with the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to work independently while managing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to communication quality and accuracy. 

Accelerators 

• Experience supporting employee engagement or change management communications. 

• Experience managing intranet platforms, email communication systems and digital communication channels. 

• Familiarity with Workfront, Pardot, Knak, Adobe Experience Manager or similar communication technologies. 

• Experience in manufacturing, industrial or publicly traded organizations. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position. 

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.