Communications Manager

Work Location Type: Hybrid

As a leading industrial distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom, We Keep The World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. We’re dedicated to providing value for customers, fostering an engaging culture for team members and driving strong financial results.

Our welcoming workplace enables you to learn, grow and make a difference by keeping businesses running and their people safe. As a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company, we’re looking for passionate people to join our team as we continue leading the industry over our next 100 years.

Compensation:

The base salary for this role ranges between $ 95,200 - $ 130,900, with eligibility for an incentive target of 15% which is contingent upon achieving both individual and company performance objectives.

The pay range above is not a guarantee of compensation but reflects the potential total compensation for this role at the time of this posting based on the assigned job grade. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as geographic work location, relevant experience and individual skills. The stated range is a reasonable estimate and may change over time; final compensation may fall above or below the range provided. Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or discontinue its compensation and benefits programs at any time, in accordance with applicable law.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

The Communications Manager is a communications professional responsible for supporting integrated internal and external communications. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications, this role contributes to and executes integrated communication strategies that support enterprise and functional priorities, strengthen Grainger's reputation, and enable consistent, effective communications across the business. It balances strong execution with exposure to strategic oversight across internal channels, external engagement, digital platforms, and corporate social responsibility. This role also supports a scalable communications model across Grainger Canada and other subsidiaries, including governance, tools, and best practices.

Job Responsibilities (You Will):

• Contribute to communications planning and execution for complex, high priority initiatives, ensuring alignment to enterprise strategy while enabling local execution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and business partners, providing strategic counsel on messaging, change communications, issues management, and channel strategy.
• Develop high quality content across channels (announcements, emails, intranet content, FAQs, speaking notes, social and digital content) tailored to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to internal communications processes, including governance, content development, and distribution.
• Manage communication cadences and channel strategy to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
• Use metrics and insights to continuously improve effectiveness, speed, and scalability.
• Support external communications efforts, including media relations, proactive and reactive media strategies, spokesperson preparation, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Strengthen Grainger Canada’s brand presence through strategic oversight of social, digital, and web communications, in close partnership with Marketing and business leaders.
• Play a key role in the execution of Grainger Canada’s corporate social responsibility and community investment strategy, leading CSR storytelling across internal and external platforms and supporting Business Resource Groups.
• Support a strong Grainger Business Subsidiary communications model by supporting scalable processes, tools, templates, and best practices that can be consistently adopted across Canada and subsidiaries.
• Act as a business partner beyond the role of communicator, connecting communications strategy to business outcomes across Grainger Canada and its subsidiaries
• Operates as a lead individual contributor, influencing without direct authority.
• Success in this role will be measured by increased employee engagement, leadership alignment, and strengthened brand and reputation.
• Exercises independent judgment when contributing to and executing communications strategies.
• Role models Grainger’s values and fosters a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and accountability.

Education/Experience (You Have):

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience across internal and external communications in a large, matrixed organization.
• Proven ability to provide strategic communications counsel to leaders on complex, high visibility initiatives.
• Experience contributing to and executing integrated communications plans across internal, external, digital and media channels.
• Experience supporting corporate social responsibility or community investment initiatives, including storytelling across internal and external channels.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with experience using enterprise communications platforms and Microsoft Office tools, including SharePoint.
• Aligns communications with business priorities, supporting clarity, engagement, and measurable impact.
• Acts as a trusted partner to leaders, providing sound communications counsel and supporting informed decision‑making.
• Applies enterprise awareness to support the alignment of communications strategies with broader organizational goals across functions and subsidiaries.
• Supports communications needs in complex, high‑impact situations, exercising strong judgment, discretion, and a solutions‑oriented approach.
• Develops and optimizes messaging across internal, external, and digital channels to enhance reach and effectiveness.
• Builds alignment and credibility across a matrixed organization, influencing without direct authority through expertise and collaboration.
• Leverages insights and metrics to inform continuous improvement while delivering with discipline and precision.
• Operates with agility in a fast‑paced environment, taking accountability for assigned work and contributing to end‑to‑end outcomes.
  

Rewards and Benefits:
Our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet your individual needs. Check out some of the benefits available to you with Grainger (may vary based on hours worked):

• Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and up to 12 company holidays per year (dependent on home province)
• Life insurance coverage, including spousal and dependent life insurance.
• Employee Family Assistance Program to help team members with physical, emotional, mental, financial and other concerns
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan & Defined Contribution Pension Plan to help you save for your financial future
• Educational & Professional Membership Fee Assistance program
• Employee discounts, team member perks and more!

DEI Statement:

We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly match this job post as you may still be the right candidate for this role or others. We aspire to create a culture where everyone is comfortable being who they are, can learn and grow to realize their full potential, and is recognized and rewarded for their impact.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. Should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please advise us so we can provide appropriate assistance.

Pre-employment background checks are required for all external candidates. Internal candidates undergo a background check when they move from a non-driving role to a driving role.