Communicators spotlight: Jessica Kleiman from Lennar
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Photo: Courtesy Jessica Kleiman
Jessica Kleiman took a "very jagged" path from aspiring magazine writer to communications leader, with stops across media, entertainment and technology before making the jump to homebuilding.
The latest: Today, Kleiman is senior vice president of communications at Lennar, one of the nation's largest homebuilders.
The path here: Kleiman originally planned to become a writer, interning and freelancing for national magazines while in college.
- She joined a small New York PR agency representing magazines, figuring the connections might eventually help her move into editorial.
- Instead, "I ended up loving the PR side and the rest is history," she said.
- Kleiman went on to spend much of her communications career in media, entertainment and technology, including four years as Peloton's first head of communications, before making "a pretty big pivot" into homebuilding.
Tough lesson: Even if you love what you do, "at the end of the day, it's just a job."
- After leaving Peloton, "I felt like I lost an appendage because it was such a big part of my life both personally and professionally," she said. "I had to sort of 'deprogram' myself, and that took a while."
Trendspotting: The line between communications and HR is blurring as comms teams take on more responsibility for how companies engage employees and attract talent.
- Lennar's latest employer brand campaign was a collaboration between comms, talent acquisition and early careers, with Kleiman's team spearheading the effort and owning social execution.
- "Ten years ago that kind of campaign would have sat entirely with HR or talent acquisition," she said. "Now comms is a lead partner, because the story of why people want to work somewhere has become as important as the story of what the company builds or sells."
Currently consuming: Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography ("Better late than never!")
- Plus, a rewatch of "Arrested Development;" the "SmartLess" podcast; and Suzy Welch's "Becoming You."
Morning ritual: Nespresso with the New York Times and New York Post, followed by a few Duolingo Spanish lessons while walking her dog.
- Fun fact: She's currently on a 589-day streak.
Best advice: Know your non-negotiables.
- Kleiman encourages younger professionals to write down what they need from a job to be happy.
- "You may not get every one in every role, but if you're in a job that doesn't check any of your boxes, then you know you're in the wrong place."
