Jeff Novak - Sr. Internal Communications Consultant, Phase78

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Work Background

NSF InternationalSr. Manager, Global Executive & Internal Communications

Aug. 2022 - Apr. 2024Ann Arbor, Michigan, United StatesFrom 2022 to 2024, I served as the Senior Manager of Global Internal & Executive Communication at NSF International in Livonia, MI. I spearheaded the internal communications strategy and led a team dedicated to enhancing organizational transparency and employee engagement. My role involved aligning internal and external messaging in collaboration with various stakeholders and providing strategic advice to executive leadership across Operations, Finance, Human Resources, and Technology. One of my significant achievements included launching a new intranet site and redesigning the employee newsletter, which increased engagement and transparency. These initiatives helped clarify NSF's strategic goals and promoted our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I also developed new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to boost operational efficiency and ensure timely access to information. Under my leadership, we saw a substantial improvement in employee engagement metrics, evidenced by an eight-point increase in the 2023 Perceptyx employee engagement survey scores and a 235% rise in internal engagement metrics in the latter half of 2023. Additionally, I revitalized global quarterly town halls and managed monthly global leader forums, significantly improving attendance and satisfaction levels—from "somewhat satisfied" to "highly satisfied." These efforts contributed to an 11% increase in senior leadership team favorability scores in 2023, demonstrating effective strategies to connect employees with leadership, fostering a more robust organizational culture, and enhancing professional relationships.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganManager, Corporate Communications, Emergent Holdings

Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2022Southfield, MIAs the Manager of Corporate Communications at Advantasure/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, I managed a team of communication specialists focused on establishing and maintaining a robust internal communications program aligned with the company's rapid expansion. My role encompassed providing strategic guidance on communications messaging to senior leadership, ensuring our internal practices adapted to support annual plans and executive strategies. Key responsibilities included handling sensitive organizational communications during executive transitions, workforce changes, and facility closures, maintaining transparency and alignment with company goals. I led the orchestration of quarterly all-employee meetings designed to engage and inform our growing workforce effectively. In 2021, I spearheaded an employee engagement campaign that was integral to the rollout of a new long-term business strategy, earning a nomination for the prestigious Gold Quill Award for fostering significant collaboration. Additionally, I revitalized our internship program, enhancing its effectiveness and achieving the organization's highest rating in leadership and mentorship. I also established a highly successful employee e-newsletter, which consistently achieved a 98% open rate from 2020 to 2022, significantly enhancing company-wide transparency and engagement. My leadership consistently led to the surpassing of performance goals, including directing a critical 2018 rebranding initiative and realizing over $100K in cost savings in 2019 by shifting content production in-house. Throughout my tenure, I developed more than 15 innovative programs aimed at strengthening employee engagement and cultivating a positive workplace culture, demonstrating my commitment to excellent corporate communication and strategic organizational leadership.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganManager, Operational & Internal Communications, Advantasure

Jan. 2017 - Dec. 2018Southfield, MIIn my role as Operational & Internal Communications Manager from 2017 to 2018, I led a team of five communication specialists focused on developing and implementing strategic communication plans for three key business areas: internal communications and executive communications. My leadership was pivotal in enhancing collaboration across various business units, directly contributing to improved customer satisfaction by identifying and rectifying process inefficiencies. I was responsible for overseeing the production of over 700 communication pieces that supported more than 60 initiatives, ensuring each aligned with the organization's goals. A significant achievement was the formulation of a new internal communication plan that fostered an inclusive and positive organizational culture. Additionally, I pioneered the creation of an official employee newsletter, which played a crucial role in cultivating an open and engaging workplace. This newsletter served as a critical educational tool, connecting employees more deeply with our business goals and with each other, thereby enhancing overall corporate cohesion. • Led team to achieve 114% of scorecard goals in 2017 - headlined by 4.5-star (out of 5) SME satisfaction rating • Led team to produce more than 700 pieces supporting 60+ initiatives • Developed new internal communication plan that helped shape inclusive and positive culture • Created official employee newsletter, Intersections, that was catalyst for open and fun culture that educated and engaged employees about the business and their teammates • Wrote, directed, and filmed executive video series TessTalk with Mary Smith that showed President interacting with everyday workers in talk-show format

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganTeam Lead, Center of Excellence Communications, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2017Detroit, MII led as the Centralized Operational Communications Team Lead, orchestrating the consolidation and centralization of communication efforts for a Center of Excellence (CoE) at Advantasure, focused on Medicare initiatives. I managed a team of three communications specialists, driving the strategic alignment of communication efforts with organizational goals. Key responsibilities included collaborating with the CoE's Senior Vice President and other senior leaders to develop executive communications for company-wide meetings. I partnered with the IT department to create a new work request system, enhancing workload prioritization and meeting client expectations more effectively. I also designed and implemented an internal Subject Matter Expert (SME) satisfaction survey to measure and improve success, ensuring alignment across various business sectors during the CoE's transformative changes. My efforts in orchestrating these centralization efforts resulted in significant cost savings, reducing operational costs by nearly 25% by leveraging internal resources instead of outsourcing. Additionally, I was selected for a critical task force charged with establishing the CoE as an independent entity, which was a key step in its evolution into Advantasure.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganCommunications Specialist & Training Coordinator, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2015Detroit, MIContracted through Bartech to work with business process analysts and project managers to identify communications and training artifacts needed to support stand up of Blue Cross’ new commercial business model as well as developing timelines and deadlines for deliverables. Interviewed subject matter experts, drafted communications collateral, and obtained approval from stakeholders across multiple business units. • Developed more than 25 executive-level presentations and dashboards for internal and external audiences • Produced more than 100 internal and external communications and training artifacts • Created standardized template and process for creating external letters that increased productivity nearly 50%

TARDEC (US Army)Senior Communications Specialist - Publications

Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2014Warren, Michigan, United States

ForeSeeSenior Public Relations Writer

Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2014Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan House of RepresentativesCommunications Specialist

Jan. 2009 - Dec. 2011Lansing, Michigan Area

J2 ConceptsPublic Relations Communications Consultant

Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2014Dearborn, Michigan, United States

Journal Newspapers of MichiganEditor, Writer, Photographer and Photo Editor

Jan. 2003 - Dec. 2009Wayne, Michigan, United States