Senior Communications Specialist

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Continuous Improvement, the Senior Communications Specialist / Knowledge Manager is the communications and knowledge-sharing engine for the Finance Office's continuous improvement work. As the Finance Office advances Workday and broader financial systems initiatives-streamlining business processes, rolling out new functionality, and improving the end-user experience across Northeastern-this role ensures that progress, changes, and resources reach the right people clearly and at the right time.

The Specialist blends strong content development and editorial skills with a practical command of content management systems, translating complex financial systems and process changes into accessible, actionable communications and knowledge resources. Working cross-functionally with central finance departments, Business Systems Analysts, and ITS partners, the Specialist executes communications strategies, maintains the Finance Office's web and intranet presence, and builds and maintains the knowledge infrastructure that helps finance staff and the broader Northeastern community navigate and adopt evolving systems and workflows.

The ideal candidate brings both a writer's instinct and a systems thinker's discipline-comfortable crafting compelling narratives and equally comfortable organizing, governing, and continuously improving the digital environments where that content lives. A genuine curiosity about financial systems and business processes-and the ability to become conversant in Workday Financials to system end-users-is essential to success in this role.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Communications, English, Information Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Four to six years of progressive experience in communications, content management, knowledge management, or a related field; higher education or finance environment experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing intranet or content management systems (e.g., SharePoint, Confluence, or similar platforms), including governance, taxonomy, and content lifecycle management.
• Proven ability to develop a variety of written communications-newsletters, web content, announcements, presentations, process documentation-with clarity, accuracy, and audience awareness.
• Experience supporting change communications, user adoption campaigns, or end-user training content for system implementations (ERP, HRIS, or similar) strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Workday Financials or comparable enterprise financial systems is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate complex financial systems concepts and process changes into clear, accessible content for diverse audiences-from finance professionals to general staff.
• Proficiency in content management systems and intranet platforms; experience with version control, content governance frameworks, and information architecture.
• Comfort with data-able to track content performance metrics, conduct content audits, and use findings to improve user experience and engagement.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, or similar design tools; basic familiarity with visual design principles.
• Familiarity with change management principles and the ability to support stakeholders through transitions involving new systems or processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with distributed stakeholders across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering quality outcomes; equally comfortable working independently and collaboratively.
• Alignment with Northeastern's brand standards and commitment to consistent, high-quality communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Finance & Systems Communications

• Partner with the Director of Continuous Improvement to deliver the Finance Office's operational communications, building awareness and understanding of Workday updates, system changes, and business process improvements among finance staff and the broader Northeastern community.
• Translate outputs from the continuous improvement team-new Workday functionality, process redesigns, policy changes, system upgrades-into clear, audience-appropriate communications that drive awareness and adoption.
• Plan, create, and manage a portfolio of communications across channels, especially as newsletters, email announcements, and the host of regular finance user groups.
• Develop communications for Workday's twice-yearly system upgrades in partnership with ITS' communications team, ensuring impacted financials users understand what is changing, when, and what action (if any) is required of them.
• Serve as a communications liaison to central finance departments and leaders, providing editorial support and strategic counsel on messaging and content development.
• Write, edit, and proofread communications materials-internal memos, web copy, PowerPoint presentations, event materials-ensuring brand alignment and clarity of voice.
• Manage and segment email distribution lists to ensure appropriate audience targeting for various communications.
• Serve as the primary owner and day-to-day manager of the Finance mailbox for sending general communications out to the University community.

Knowledge Management

• Serve as the primary owner and day-to-day manager of the Finance Office's web and intranet presence, ensuring content is accurate, current, well-organized, and aligned with brand standards.
• Develop and maintain a knowledge management strategy centered on Workday and financial systems training and support-ensuring that documentation, guides, and reference materials are captured, organized, and accessible to the right audiences.
• Build and sustain a library of Workday help content, process documentation, standard operating procedures, FAQs, and quick-reference guides that support end-user adoption and operational continuity across the university in partnership with the functional SMEs from the central finance teams.
• Conduct regular content audits to identify outdated, redundant, or missing content; develop and execute remediation plans.
• Champion a culture of knowledge sharing within Finance, including developing lightweight templates and practices that make it easy for subject matter experts to document and share what they know.
• Ensure that knowledge assets are maintained as living documents, with clear ownership, review cycles, and update protocols that keep pace with ongoing system releases and process changes.
• Establish and maintain a knowledge content governance process for both existing and net new knowledge collateral.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Connect and collaborate with cross-functional teams across Finance, ITS, and the broader university to understand communication and knowledge needs and develop aligned solutions.
• Partner with central marketing, communications, and IT teams to ensure Finance's digital presence and knowledge tools integrate effectively with university-wide platforms and standards.
• Identify and evaluate key performance indicators for communications and knowledge management activities; report results regularly to the Director.
• Support change management efforts related to new Workday functionality, process redesigns, and organizational initiatives by developing communications and knowledge resources that help stakeholders navigate transitions.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Continuous Improvement or the Finance Office.