Lead Communications Director

Jobtailor; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

USAA in San Antonio, TX, seeks a senior communications leader to counsel senior management, shape enterprise-wide messaging, and coordinate across corporate functions. You will develop complex strategies, manage crisis and regulatory communications, and lead cross-functional projects to advance business objectives.

The role requires 8+ years in internal/external comms, strong media relations, and SME awareness of finance and military communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in internal and external communications.
• Experience in financial services industry preferred.
• Media relations experience with national, regional or local outlets.
• Excellent writing and editing skills; SME knowledge of the field.
• Ability to translate business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Familiarity with the military community; US military experience or spouses advantageous.
• Must not require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Counsel senior management, company leaders, SMEs, and staff.
• Develop complex communication strategies and tactics for enterprise initiatives.
• Prioritize communication projects supporting employee, member, and public initiatives.
• Serve as a key influencer and integrator of strategic objectives across the enterprise.
• Create communications using press outreach, online advocacy, internal and external channels, publications, and other media.
• Measure communications strategy effectiveness.
• Develop, manage, and execute communications plans aligning with business objectives.
• Collaborate to support positive business outcomes and protect USAA's reputation.
• Lead crisis management, regulatory, and litigation communications.
• Develop relationships with news media to leverage USAA's reputation.
• Plan and execute the organization's social media strategy with the Social Business team.
• Mentor junior team members and ensure risk controls per policies.

Skills

Integrated strategy

Media relations

Project management

Crisis communications

Social media campaigns

Verbal communication

Mentoring

Influencing

Collaboration

Regulatory comms

Education

Bachelor's in Communications/Journalism/Marketing

Tools

Social media platforms

Email marketing

Publications

Online advocacy tools

Video production

Job description

• Provide counsel and insight to senior management, company leaders, subject-matter experts, and unit staff
• Develop complex communication strategies and tactics supporting enterprise strategic initiatives
• Prioritize communication projects supporting employee, member, and public initiatives
• Serve as a key influencer and integrator of strategic objectives across the enterprise
• Create communications strategies using press outreach, online advocacy, internal and external social channels, leadership communications, publications, and other channels
• Measure communications strategy effectiveness
• Develop, manage, and execute communications plans supporting business objectives
• Collaborate with colleagues to support positive business outcomes, protect and enhance USAA's reputation, and engage the workforce
• Develop and manage messaging, collateral, processes, and strategies for business initiatives
• Craft key messaging for federal and local regulators
• Partner with Marketing & Communications teams and enterprise partners to develop collateral for print, web, email, video, and social media
• Maintain knowledge of USAA strategies and financial services industry issues and trends
• Lead or partner on crisis management, legislative, regulatory, and litigation communications
• Manage message development and build relationships with third-party groups
• Develop and manage grassroots communications with influential groups
• Develop relationships with news media to leverage USAA's reputation
• Partner with the Social Business team to plan, direct, and execute USAA's social media strategy
• Develop and mentor junior team members
• Ensure risks associated with business activities are identified, measured, monitored, and controlled according to risk and compliance policies and procedures

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related degree field; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience
• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in internal and/or external communications, including employee communications
• Preferably experience within the financial services industry
• Media relations experience working with media outlets at national, regional or local levels
• Subject Matter Expert writing and editing skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Subject-matter-expert knowledge of the function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills and abilities towards work products
• Subject-matter-expert level in communication industry practices and emerging trends
• Experience translating business objectives into integrated communication strategies and tactics that drive business performance
• Project management and collaboration experience, including managing cross-functional projects from inception to completion
• Genuine understanding of and familiarity with the military community
• Demonstrated media relations experience and success creating and executing impactful, measurable social media campaigns
• Prior experience in culture communications, brand ambassador programs, employee experience, or as a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) officer is advantageous
• US military experience through military service or as a military spouse/domestic partner
• Must not require immigration support or visa sponsorship now or in the future

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing integrated communication strategies that align with business objectives, while effectively managing media relations and crisis communications. Possesses strong project management skills and a deep understanding of the financial services industry and military community.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Integrated Communication Strategies
• Media Relations Experience
• Project Management
• Crisis Management
• Social Media Campaigns

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Communication Strategy Development
• Writing and Editing
• Message Development
• Collaboration
• Crisis Communications
• Grassroots Communications
• Regulatory Communications
• Employee Communications
• Public Relations
• Social Media Strategy

Soft Skills

• Verbal Communication
• Influencing
• Mentoring
• Collaboration
• Relationship Building

Industry Keywords

• Financial Services
• Military Community
• Brand Ambassador Programs
• Culture Communications
• Legislative Communications

Tools & Technologies

• Social Media Platforms
• Email Marketing
• Publications
• Online Advocacy Tools
• Video Production