Strategic Communications Manager

Marion Frizzell

Helping companies deliver business results with clarity and precision.

Hi, I'm Marion

I'm a strategic communications professional who prevents and solves communications-related business problems. I enjoy taking complex communications puzzles and problem-solving solutions that deliver the message clearly and in an approachable manner.

For 15 years, I've shaped communications and marketing strategies across diverse sectors including entertainment, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, chemicals, and energy, working in both B2B and B2C roles within non-profit and corporate organizations. For the last 6 years, I have focused on internal communications and employee engagement for a population of 57,000+ employees and retirees. I've contributed to stronger engagement, improved operational efficiency, and measurable financial savings across my career.

Strategic Communication Planning
Internal Communications
Corporate Business Communications
Employee Engagement
Executive Messaging
Change Management
Writing
Editing
Generative AI

My Approach

What I bring | How I work

I create communications that are clear, human, and strategically aligned. My strength is blending creativity with analytical thinking to deliver precise, compliant language that still feels natural and accessible.

In the first 30–60 days with a new organization, I focus on learning the culture, the workflows, the key players, and the business priorities. That foundation lets me design communications that solve real problems and support real goals.

My process is simple: start with strategy, shape the narrative, and build the collateral that delivers it. I'm comfortable working at every level, whether advising executives or doing hands-on work production work; I bring the same level of ownership.

Communication Should Build TrustClear communication isn't decorative language; it's a tool for alignment. It should help people feel informed, engaged, and confident in where the organization is going.

Make Complexity Feel ManageableThe heart of my work is translating complexity into clarity. I help people understand what's happening, why it matters, and what is expected of them.

Always Respect the AudiencePeople drive an organization's success. Effective communication starts with understanding their needs, respecting their intelligence, and recognizing the real lives and worries behind every message.

Strong Partnerships Make Strong CommunicationBeing a trusted advisor matters. Building relationships across the organization is what puts you in the right rooms, where strategy is shaped and clear, aligned communication begins.

Featured Work

Highlights

Strategic Communications Advising

63%

manager open rate (53% employee open rate)

Guiding employees through a regulated, multi-plan retirement change through calm, phased communication

Served as strategic communications advisor to Legal, HR, and Benefits plan sponsors during a company-wide 401(k) restructuring affecting three separate retirement plans across every employee level, from Vice Presidents to front-line staff.
Built a phased communication strategy that translated complex plan changes into clear, calm messaging, while navigating competing stakeholder priorities, including preventing an unauthorized leader announcement outside approved channels.

OUTCOME — Delivered 63% manager open rates and 53% employee open rates, with a smooth rollout, no negative feedback, and no legal issues.

Merger & Acquisition Integrations

94%

active enrollment across all groups

Onboarded thousands of new employees through three sequential acquisitions

Owned benefits communications for three sequential M&A integrations totaling ~4,500 new employees.
Built audience-segmented playbooks and channel strategies tailored to each incoming workforce. Created the communication framework for future M&A integrations.

OUTCOME — Achieved 94% active enrollment across all groups, with neutral-to-positive sentiment and no negative fallout.

Communications at Scale

82%

enrollment in preferred medical plans

Simplifying complex regulated benefits information for a 57,000+ person workforce

Designed and executed year-round, multi-channel communication plans for 57,000+ U.S. employees, spouses/partners, and retirees in a highly regulated environment.
Produced a scalable AI-assisted video and interactive-guide training series, saving an estimated 100+ hours of leadership/HR presentation time annually during a period of reduced team capacity.

OUTCOME — Achieved 82% enrollment in preferred medical plans by translating complex plan information into clear, targeted messaging across print, email, video, and intranet channels.

Digital Transformation

78%

of users found information easier to locate

Created a modern benefits platform that simplified the user experience to meet employee needs while balancing legal ,compliance, and operational requirements

Led the internal communications strategy for the rebrand and launch of benefits@bp, aligning the new experience with bp's enterprise-wide “@bp” digital ecosystem.
Directed the website transformation in partnership with Alight, a benefits technology partner, overseeing content strategy, user experience, stakeholder alignment, and technical delivery.
Managed cross-functional teams across HR, Legal, Benefits, SMEs, and vendors to convert 20+ Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs), establish content governance, and deliver a sustainable platform.

OUTCOME — Successfully launched benefits@bp, a modern, mobile-responsive benefits experience with enhanced search functionality, audience-specific content, and improved access to benefits resources. Post-launch survey results showed 78% of users found information easier to locate, contributing to ~25% reduction in benefits-related inquiries.

Additional Areas of Expertise

Employee Wellbeing and Engagement

I built campaigns and channels that increased participation, amplified employee stories, and strengthened a culture of wellbeing across the organization.

Developed award-winning annual wellbeing campaigns that educated employees on the available programs and participation requirements.
Launched a dedicated Viva Engage community for the wellbeing program's 10th anniversary, which became a hub for employee-shared wellbeing stories during COVID-19 remote work.
Created and deployed a virtual ‘swag bag’ of Teams profile frames and backgrounds to build excitement for the Wellbeing MVP campaign theme and celebrate milestone achievements, including 4 million steps walked in a year.

Digital Storytelling

I used digital storytelling across nonprofit arts and corporate environments to bring organizational moments and individual stories to life.

Increased Instagram followers by 53% and supported season launches and major artistic initiatives through Stories, takeovers, and audience-facing content.
Produced a behind-the-scenes video for a mainstage opera production, featuring an interview with the choreographer breaking down a signature movement sequence.
Produced an employee storytelling video series capturing real wellbeing experiences during COVID-19 and later how employees engaged with the four pillars of a rebranded wellbeing program.
Produced a video featuring three women executives sharing their career journeys for a Women in STEM initiative.

Change Management & Systems Adoption

I guided employees through organizational and technical transitions with clear, accessible communications that made transitions feel manageable and drove confident adoption.

Led change management communications for a short-term disability vendor and process transition — guiding line managers and employees, including those on active leave, through the shift with clear FAQs and audience-specific messaging.
Led a U.S. wellbeing program rebrand and platform transition, developing launch communications across newsletters, campaign materials, video, and in-person events to support adoption of the new brand and platform.

Vendor & Budget Management

I managed multi-vendor partnerships and budget stewardship to keep communications programs efficient, compliant, and on track.

Directed a multi-vendor communications ecosystem across 24 external partners, managing agency relationships and content delivery timelines.
Delivered $20K+ in annual cost efficiencies on a $550K+ communications budget while maintaining compliance and quality.
Supervised a team of two communications consultants.

In Their Words

What colleagues and leaders say about me

Marion is truly one of the best-in-class at managing employee and benefits communications. She recognizes the nuances of complex benefits issues and these unique and critically important audiences.

JP FielderVice President & Head of U.S. Communications, bp

I highly recommend Marion. From day one, she set a remarkable standard for welcoming new team members and fostering a genuinely collaborative culture. She wasn't just a hardworking individual contributor who made clear, actionable employee benefit communications; she was a culture-builder.

Tracey HesterGovernment Affairs Executive

Marion Frizzell is a communications professional with drive and a creative approach. I have worked with her as a contract writer on several fast-paced, large-scale communication projects requiring a high degree of attention to detail and sensitivity to the specific needs of various audiences. She rose to the challenge with a strong communication plan and flawless implementation.

Linda AbsyMarketing Communications Consultant

Marion [is] an incredible person to collaborate with and one of the most impressive problem solvers I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Marc MorrisonPhotographer & Film Director

Skills & Tools

Communications

Internal & external communications
Change management communications
Employee communications
M&A communications
Employee engagement
Executive communications

Leadership & Strategy

Vendor relationship management
Cross-functional team leadership
Stakeholder management
Project management
Senior leader advising
Budget management

Analytics & CRM

KPI development
ROI reporting
Data analysis
Dashboard building
Database & reporting development

Creative & Experience

Event management
Volunteer management
Vendor negotiations
Visual design
Brand identity

Tools

DotDigital
Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop)
Microsoft Office Suite
WordPress
Axios Smart Brevity
Canva

AI

Claude
Claude Projects
Lovable
Microsoft Copilot
HeyGen