Senior Communications Excellence & Channels Specialist

Illumina; Coronado (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Equity potential

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Illumina is hiring a Senior Communications Excellence & Channels Specialist to lead digital-first employee communications, optimize internal channels and drive measurable engagement. You will partner across CRI to plan, deliver, measure and continuously improve communications that connect strategy, culture and priorities.

The role emphasizes curiosity, experimentation with new tools and AI-enabled workflows, and collaboration with platform owners, leadership, and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in communications, employee communications, marketing operations, communications operations, or digital communications.
• Experience using AI, automation and digital tools to improve communications and engagement.
• Experience managing digital communications channels, platforms, or programs.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Comfort with data, metrics and reporting to evaluate communications performance.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Creative problem-solving mindset with ability to turn ideas into action.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize Illumina's internal communications channels and digital platforms.
• Partner with platform owners and stakeholders to improve channel effectiveness and user experience.
• Develop and maintain channel standards, publishing processes and best practices.
• Monitor channel performance and implement enhancements for reach and engagement.
• Support planning and execution of enterprise employee forums and leadership events.
• Manage logistics, surveys, attendance tracking and post-event reporting to ensure engaging experiences.
• Develop dashboards, scorecards and reporting frameworks to provide actionable insights.
• Translate data into recommendations to improve communications strategy and engagement outcomes.
• Support adoption of AI-powered tools and other technologies to enhance workflows and content development.

Skills

Communications

Digital tools

AI in communications

Project management

Data & metrics

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Marketing/PR

Tools

CMS

Employee platforms

Analytics dashboards

Job description

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life‑changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

This role is hybrid, based in San Diego, CA. Must be onsite 2 days a week and as needed as for employee events.

Impact of the Role

The Senior Communications Excellence & Channels Specialist will help build a more modern, digital‑first and insights‑driven communications function by improving how we use channels, data, technology and AI to inform and connect employees across the company. This is a role for someone who is passionate about communications, technology, creativity, and employee experience. The right person will bring curiosity, fresh thinking and strong execution to help deliver communications that are engaging, measurable and easy for employees to access and understand.

Position Summary

The Senior Communications Excellence & Channels Specialist plays a key role in enabling effective, engaging and digital first employee communications across Illumina. This role supports the channels, systems, reporting and employee experiences that help connect employees to Illumina’s strategy, culture and business priorities. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications Excellence & Employer Brand, this role will partner across Communications, Reputation & Impact (CRI) to help optimize how communications are planned, delivered, measured and continuously improved. The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver, digital‑first thinker and early adopter of new tools, who understands how technology, data and AI can advance employee engagement and corporate communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications Channels & Digital Platforms
  • Manage and optimize Illumina's internal communications channels, including employee‑facing digital platforms and communication tools.
  • Partner with platform owners and cross‑functional stakeholders to improve channel effectiveness, governance, and user experience.
  • Develop and maintain channel standards, publishing processes, and best practices.
  • Monitor channel performance and recommend enhancements to improve reach, engagement, and employee understanding.
• Employee Forums & Engagement Experiences
  • Support planning and execution of enterprise employee forums, leadership communications events, and employee engagement programs.
  • Manage communications logistics, audience communications, surveys, attendance tracking, and post‑event reporting.
  • Help create consistent and engaging employee experiences across key communication moments.
  • Identify opportunities to make key communication moments more interactive, accessible and impactful for employees.
• Measurement, Analytics & Insights
  • Manage communications reporting and performance measurement programs.
  • Develop dashboards, scorecards, and reporting frameworks that provide actionable insights.
  • Analyze audience engagement, channel performance, and communication effectiveness.
  • Translate data into clear recommendations that improve communications strategy, channel performance and employee engagement outcomes.
• Communications Technology & AI Enablement
  • Support adoption of communications technologies, automation tools and AI‑powered solutions.
  • Identify opportunities to use AI and emerging tools to improve workflows, content development, planning, measurement and employee experience.
  • Bring curiosity and experimentation to how new tools can help CRI work smarter and communicate more effectively.
  • Help the team stay current on digital communications trends, emerging platforms and practical applications of AI in corporate communications.

Qualifications

Required

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in communications, employee communications, marketing operations, communications operations, or digital communications.
• Experience using AI, automation and digital tools, with a passion for applying them in practical ways to improve communications and employee engagement.
• Experience managing digital communications channels, platforms, or communication programs.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Comfort working with data, metrics and reporting to evaluate communications performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Creative problem‑solving mindset, with the ability to bring forward new ideas and turn them into action.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Marketing Operations, Public Relations, Business, or a related field.

Preferred

• Experience supporting employee communications or corporate communications functions.
• Experience working with reporting, analytics, or performance measurement tools.
• Experience with content management systems, employee communication platforms, or enterprise social platforms.
• Familiarity with change management, governance, or communications planning processes.

Salary and Benefits

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Communications Excellence & Channels Specialist role based in the United States of America is: $90,000 - $135,000. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity.

Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package.

We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

Culture & Inclusion

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero‑net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.

Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The potential of genomics to change the world is unparalleled. At Illumina, we are leading the way. Our technology empowers researchers and clinicians globally to improve cancer treatments, change the course of diseases, protect the environment, and fight food insecurity. We are made up of dedicated professionals, all‑in on creating a better world – and we need every skill set on our path to making genomics useful for all. Learn more about life at Illumina.