Jaymie Massey’s Post

✨ For hire! ✨ ✅ Corporate communications leader with an extensive background across the function - from product/program communications to executive communications. Media relations to employee communications. Crisis communications to corporate and social responsibility. ✅ Award-winning writer. Putting words together is my favorite. ✅ Skilled in financial services, aerospace & defense, healthcare and beauty industries throughout my career, currently doing some freelance learning about the cybersecurity and MSP industries. Skills are transferrable across industries - I'm a proven fast learner. ✅ Always looking to try something new, suggest something new or change and adapt in the face of new. ✅ Calm and productive under pressure. ✅ Willing to work remote, or hybrid in the following areas: Delaware Valley (PA/NJ/DE), MD, DC, NY, VA and Central Florida. ✅ Mid-senior level. ✅ Empathetic and empowering people leader. Collaborative team member. ✅ Most frequent descriptions of working with me from former colleagues: kind/friendly, creative, great work products, and easy to work with/approach. Other attributes and talents include: ✅ Applying for jobs through Workday, and not taking standard email rejection emails personally. ✅ Resiliency. (Seriously - 10 weeks in my #laidoffera and I'm still standing. And applying. And freelancing. And as my husband told me, "owning unemployment!") ✅ ADHD. It's my productivity and creative superpower! ✅ Ability to make fun LinkedIn posts that are partly a call for help, partly to make you laugh. I'm available now, for a limited time! Surely this candidate will be gone soon - don't miss out! #greenbannergang #opentowork #corporatecomms #commsjobs #womenempoweringwomen #womeninleadership #hireme (Picture of Judy with actor David Boreanez for image tax...one of the perks of being a hobby beauty blogger - I got to interview David at the Philadelphia Flyer's Wives annual Carnival about the nail polish brand he co-owned.)

Two weeks ago, my employer announced companywide layoffs. Last week, my #opentowork banner and post went live. 🧠 WHAT I LEARNED - Casie Shimansky's Open To Work post template WORKS (4K+ impressions, 10 reposts, and nearly 3K unique views!) -----BONUS: Leverage Canva to create an open to work graphic to feature you and your skills. - Recommendations - ask for them (I did and received 8! Thank you Michael Fitzgerald, Georgina Box, Kaushalya Madugalle, Kristin Graham, Amorie Best, Siobhan Avenell, Erika Novak, Grant Lowe) -----BONUS: These help through emotional ups and downs. - Others can't support you unless you tell them HOW. -----BONUS: Read Kristin's post (link in comments). Don't miss the comments in Kristin's post. Some good tips and thought-provoking nuggets!

REMOTE

Has #communications become too rigid? I've enjoyed many years leading internal and external comms, public affairs and #marketing functions across a bunch of industries. As a comms pro, one of my strongest attributes (forgive blowing of own trumpet) is my pragmatism. It's enabled me to gain a reputation as a 'fixer' - someone who stops bad news before it appears, gets colleagues and stakeholders engaged in dialogue, and slices through ambiguity. At the start of my career, the ability to 'see round corners' and apply creative problem solving were seen as prized assets - and rightly so. That was and remains the way to deliver impactful campaigns, manage reputational risk and add business value. As I'm #opentowork and speaking to recruiters and businesses about leadership roles, it seems that something has changed. Process is king/queen - 'This is how we do comms'. Results have become secondary - I interviewed recently and pointed out that the business should stop issuing multiple press releases every month and concentrate instead on achieving media coverage. They reacted with horror. 'Strategising' has taken precedence over doing - of course it's important to have a communications strategy, I've developed loads, but delivery is more important than drafting. This kind of rigid thinking is having a chilling effect on high-impact, results-focussed communications. There is no point, none, in building a communications team and then tying one (or both) hands behind their backs. There's no doubt that businesses who get it right have a competitive advantage, happier staff, more engaged stakeholders and better reputations. Those who think of communications as a rigid business process should think again. Get a bit more bendy.

This is what a day can look for an in-house #communications leader: 10:00 a.m: 'Can you make this leaflet look pretty?' Name the time, could be 03:00 a.m: 'One of our people has lost a limb/died in the workplace. Can you brief the CEO and board asap, lead the media response, liaise with management on-site, alert the regulator and issue an internal communication.' And this is a problem. As I'm #opentowork right now, I am having various conversations about taking on a new leadership role. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's what I do! But... It's becoming clear that many organisations don't know what they're hiring for. They want a 'communications director', but the briefs are vague. They run the gamut from something about 'marketing' to building intranets. Sometimes I read JDs (where they actually exist) and have literally no idea what they're asking for. 🤷♂️ If you're looking for someone to build and protect the reputation of your organisation and focus communications to drive growth - call me. If you're seeking someone to make leaflets look pretty, sorry I can't help you with that.

I just wanted to say a few words about communications strategies. As I am interviewing right now, I've noticed that this, once humble, document has become akin to the Holy Grail. It's all anybody wants. Whisper it, but it really isn't hard to develop a communications strategy. Although, in my experience, it can turn into a performance. The hard part is delivering it. I'd love to see hiring managers make more of this. Rather than asking highly-experienced candidates to outline a time when they developed a communication strategy (a little piece of me dies every time I get asked this!), instead quiz us about the difference it made. Good communications teams focus on outcomes. Bad communications teams focus on inputs. Well, it keeps them busy. A communications strategy is a means to an end. It can transform the way a business approaches its communications. Or it can get shoved in a drawer. Producing the world's most comprehensive communications strategy doesn't equal good comms. Delivering it does. #communications #publicrelations #opentowork

While I still think that the #communications strategy is the road map we always need: the A to communications Z. I’d say It’s time to normalize circling back to place metrics against results at the end of the day to see if the organization needs to change or improve its approaches to communication. #QuickFixComms #CommunicationsStrategy

As a communications specialist, I resonate with your observations Shea Sullivan, MBA, SCMP® and would like to add a few more "red flags" that we should be aware of: 🔄 When job descriptions do not clearly outline the specific objectives and goals of the #communications role, it often indicates a lack of understanding of the strategic importance of communications within the organization. This could result in unrealistic expectations and misaligned priorities! 📉 A role that promises extensive responsibilities without providing adequate #resources, tools, and support is a significant red flag. Effective communication requires investment in technology, training, and a supportive team. 🛑 If the role does not include a seat at the table for key decision-making processes, it undermines the strategic value that a communications professional can bring to the organization. Being part of executive discussions ensures that communication #strategies align with the overall business objectives. To advocate for better role creation in our profession, I believe it is important to : 1. Build strong #networks with other communications professionals and industry leaders. 2. Create and share #frameworks and #guidelines that define the roles and responsibilities of communications professionals at different levels. (Organizations can gain a better understanding of what to expect and how to effectively support these roles!) 3. Offer #mentorship and #training programs for aspiring communications professionals. What are your thoughts? What do you think can be done to make #communication better?

I think this post has identified a sore spot among communication professionals. The roles we are being offered are often expecting not just the kitchen sink, but the entire kitchen, living room and garage with compensation that would barely allow us to afford one-bedroom apartment in the suburbs. They're a blueprint for professional burnout. What can we do to educate employers about the VALUE communicators bring to a role when it comes with realistic expectations along with the tools, resources and support we need? #InternalCommunication #StrategicCommunication #SwingCommInsights

tap. tap. Hey. Yeah, you. Come closer—I’ve got a secret. We’re hiring a Communications Manager, and I can’t stop thinking about how perfect you (or someone you know) could be for this role. Here’s the deal: This job isn’t just about managing communications—it’s about creating meaningful connections, shaping stories that matter, and driving real impact. We’re talking about work that makes a difference for our community and the people in it. What are the characteristics of the person I am hoping to call, "Boss"? - Someone who lives and breathes storytelling. - Someone who can balance creativity with strategy (think: big-picture vision + detail-oriented execution). - Someone who believes a good Meme or GIF is always the answer. (Okay, that last one’s optional…but it wouldn’t hurt.) If that sounds like you—or someone in your network—check out the job description linked in the post below. I promise, it’s worth a look. This could be the opportunity to grow your career, flex those creative muscles, and make a real difference. Plus, I make a pretty great teammate, if I do say so myself. 😉 #NowHiring #CommunicationsManager #DreamJob