Vice President, External Communications

Ascensus; Pennsylvania; Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Vice President of External Communications to lead media relations and enhance brand reputation. This pivotal role involves developing strategic communication plans, crafting compelling content, and managing executive communications to engage diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial services media relations, a knack for building media relationships, and exceptional writing skills. This opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, driving growth and amplifying the organization's voice across various platforms.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in financial services media relations and executive communications.
• Exceptional writing skills and established media contacts in financial services.

Responsibilities

• Set vision for media relations and reputation management aligned with commercial goals.
• Create media-worthy content to generate media opportunities and speaking engagements.

Skills

Media Relations

Crisis Communications

Social Media Management

Executive Communications

Writing Skills

Strategic Thinking

Influence and Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications or Related Field

Master's Degree Preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

The Vice President, External Communications is responsible for media relations, social media, reputation management, crisis communications, and public-facing executive communications for Ascensus and its four lines of business. These efforts aim to accelerate commercial growth, increase brand familiarity, and amplify our voice across diverse audiences, including financial institutions, governments, and investors.

The ideal candidate will have strong existing media relationships and demonstrate the ability to build new ones with national, financial, retirement, and technology trade media. They should have a 'nose for news' to engage with current news cycles and create new stories based on Ascensus's thought leadership, data, product launches, and M&A activities. Understanding the media environment and strategies for social media activation, including discussion boards, is essential. The candidate must have recent experience in building executive relationships and managing CEO and President platforms, including writing for these executives.

Section 2: Job Functions, Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Set vision for media relations, social media, and reputation management to enhance our influence with key audiences, aligning with commercial goals. Document plans, milestones, and metrics.
2. Develop effective relationships and collaborate with leadership, Corporate Development/M&A, Business Lines, Product/Technology, and Government Relations.
3. Create media-worthy content such as press releases, thought leadership pieces, executive talking points, and social media content to generate media opportunities and speaking engagements.
4. Monitor media positioning of Ascensus and competitors, stay current on industry trends and regulatory issues.
5. Collaborate across the organization and with other teams.
6. Work with Insights & Analytics to leverage data for media objectives.
7. Prepare reports on media opportunities and press releases for the executive team.
8. Handle confidential data securely to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
9. Support our Core Values: People Matter, Quality First, and Integrity Always, through daily actions and modeling our culture.
10. Assist with additional tasks and projects as needed.

Supervision

• Supervise the Director of Media Content, Director of Enterprise Social Media, contractors, and agency resources. Coordinate with vendors and lead enterprise projects supporting reputation and media engagement.

Section 3: Experience, Skills, and Knowledge Requirements

• 10-15+ years in financial services media relations, reputation management, crisis communications, executive communications, and social media, with a successful track record. Retirement industry experience preferred.
• Exceptional writing skills, including executive-level communication.
• Established media contacts in financial services and technology sectors, with the ability to work constructively with media outlets.
• Proven influence, issues management, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and digital media collaboration.
• Strong commitment to enhancing Ascensus’s reputation and impact.

Remote work requirements include a distraction-free workspace, family care during business hours, and internet speed of 25 Mbps or higher. For call center roles, direct internet connection to equipment is required. Please verify your internet speed before applying.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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