Senior Communications Strategist

The Retail Communications Strategist is a senior-level communications role responsible and serves as the chief architect of Retail's internal communication infrastructure, designing integrated communication plans that drive organizational alignment, cultural transformation, and seamless change adoption. This role goes beyond execution by driving clarity, excitement, trust, and adoption of key Retail and Corporate initiatives through thoughtful communication strategies. This strategist also uses data-driven insights to continuously optimize communication approaches and demonstrate measurable impact on adoption, engagement, and business outcomes.

While this role reports to the Retail Marketing Team, this individual should see themselves as the Retail communications owner, not just a marketing partner. They are deeply plugged into Retail, Operations, and Corporate initiatives, build strong relationships with key stakeholders, and anticipate communication needs before they are requested. This role also works in close partnership with Organizational Change Management leaders to ensure communications strategy is embedded into all change initiatives from conception through sustainment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of communications for Retail enterprise initiatives.
• Design comprehensive, multi-phased communication plans that align with change management roadmaps, including stakeholder analysis, channel strategy, message architecture, and success metrics.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and initiative owners to develop communication strategies that align with change milestones and business outcomes. (Operations, Marketing, Sales, Corporate, HR, Tech, etc.).
• Proactively identify upcoming initiatives and ensure leadership visibility and alignment
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on communication approaches and messaging
• Serve as strategic steward of Retail communication platforms (Clayton HUB, Hotline, LINK), conducting regular audits, identifying gaps, and recommending platform enhancements or new solutions to maximize reach, engagement, and user experience.
• Ensure content, layout, cadence, and tone align with brand expectations and Retail needs.
• Train and support internal teams on communication tools, platforms, and best practices.
• Translate corporate culture initiatives into compelling Retail narratives that resonate with field team members.
• Champion team member experience through every communication touchpoint, ensuring messages are accessible, relevant, and reinforce Clayton's culture and values.
• Leverage key moments (e.g., Operations Trips, major launches, contests, recognition) to energize the field.
• Lead communications planning for marketing change initiatives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adoption across the field.
• Anticipate field questions, resistance points, and communication gaps; address them through intentional messaging and sequencing.
• Partner with change management practitioners to integrate communication strategy into change roadmaps, ensuring alignment on stakeholder engagement, resistance management, and adoption milestones.
• Conduct stakeholder analysis and communication needs assessments for major change initiatives.
• Design feedback loops and listening strategies to gauge change readiness and communication effectiveness.
• Manage multiple communications projects simultaneously, balancing priorities and deadlines.
• Develop and maintain communication plans, timelines, and dependencies for major initiatives.
• Analyze channel performance and engagement metrics; provide insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related major is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in communications, internal communications, public relations, or a related field, with demonstrated senior-level responsibility.
• Proven experience developing and leading enterprise‑level communication strategies, especially in complex or matrixed organizations.
• Strong understanding of change management principles (e.g., Prosci/ADKAR, Kotter) and experience integrating communications into change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence leaders and cross‑functional partners without authority.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a strong eye for detail, clarity, and brand consistency.
• Experience using communication platforms, analytics, and measurement tools to evaluate performance and optimize strategy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and operate with a proactive, self‑directed mindset.

Why Clayton?

Full-time team members have the flexibility to create their own health, dental, and vision benefits package. Clayton provides competitive 401K programs including investment options and company matching for full and part time team members after one year to help our team members achieve their financial goals. Additional benefits include paid parental leave, Employee Assistance Programs, paid time off, paid holidays and more.

As part of Clayton’s commitment to Opening Doors to a Better Life, Clayton is now providing paid time for Team Members to volunteer to causes that are meaningful to them through the Clayton Impact program.

At Clayton, we encourage holistic wellness with physical, nutritional, social, financial, spiritual and occupational programs.

Home Centers are closed on Sundays – we believe in offering a balanced working environment.

Clayton is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Clayton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Business Unit - B00009