Corporate Communications Manager

At Liberty, we are proud to integrate our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) throughout all functions and areas of the Bank to maximize our impact and exceed goals. We believe deepening our DE&I strategies in the workplace and communities we serve creates a much better place to work for our teammates and a safe place where our customers are connected and supported. We take pride in promoting a socially responsible and sustainable future through initiatives and investment.

SUMMARY OF THE JOB:
Reporting to the SVP, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the Corporate Communications Manager provides strategic support, execution and delivery of internal and external communications through strong written and verbal skills. This includes but not limited to targeted and bank-wide internal and external corporate communications; maintaining and building media and journalist relations; strategy on corporate giving programs; and executive communication needs in a manner that will enhance and preserve Liberty Bank’s reputation and build goodwill among its various constituencies, including teammates, customers, board members, community and business leaders, for-profit and non-profit community partners, media, and the general public.
Throughout these responsibilities, the Corporate Communications Manager ensures that information is effectively, timely and clearly conveyed in a manner which reinforces Liberty’s mission, vision and values, supports the Bank’s overall strategic direction through communications with goal of ensuring Liberty Bank is portrayed in a positive light.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Internal Communications:
Develops and executes employee communications as needed, including executive and senior manager communications such as speeches, talking points, media opportunities, bank-wide messaging, multi-media presentations and consistent and creative support in the execution of events (i.e. All Teammate Meetings, Annual Meetings, Board Meetings, business unit events, etc). Proven ability to work with executive leaders and senior managers to capture key messaging and quickly develop messaging. Serves as a subject matter expert and internal consultant in providing strategic counsel and message development to executive leadership and senior management regarding how to convey internal key messages to teammates, timing and message development. Supports development and delivery of content through Liberty Bank’s communications channels, including the internal Sharepoint platform and monthly podcast.

Corporate Communications:
Strategizes, develops and executes on corporate communications to effectively and concisely convey bank positioning among constituencies including teammates, Board members, Corporators, customers and community partners. This includes written and verbal internal communications; overseeing and engaging new external vendor relationships that will write and produce the Bank’s Annual Report and Community Impact Report; developing and disseminating a weekly recap of internal communications; creating dynamic executive presentations through speech writing, audio/visual resources and content design. Selects and manages appropriate outside resources necessary to produce these projects, including but not limited to writers, designers, photographers, video producers, printers and public relations firms. Ability to deliver versatile communications to support internal project teams and execute on strategic initiatives through communication campaign planning.

Customer Communications:
Supports business units (Marketing Department, Risk Department, Commercial and Retail Lending, Retail Branches, Digital Banking, etc.) in crafting customer communications as needed, including but not limited to direct customer messages, frequently asked questions documents, regulatory notices, customer alerts and website and social media content.

Media Relations:
Screens incoming media calls; evaluates inquiry; determines appropriate bank respondent; negotiates questions and purpose of interview; media trains executive leaders and other employees for the interview; and conducts any follow up post-interview activities. The candidate must also to serve as spokesperson for the Bank as needed.
Proactively promotes bank leaders as news sources for Connecticut and Massachusetts local and regional news outlets as well as national media covering the banking industry.
Ensures that newsworthy bank activities and events are promoted to the appropriate media. Proactively develops press releases, op-eds and media statements and strategically determines appropriate distribution. Ability to organize and secure overage of press conferences and manage media availabilities. Oversees dissemination to media with appropriate follow-up.
Establishes and maintains close working relationships with reporters and editors of local, regional and industry print, broadcast and digital media. Develops and communicates policies and procedures regarding media relations, including the Bank’s crisis communication plan and incident response planning to mitigate reputational risk.

Sponsorships:
Evaluates and manages community sponsorship opportunities. Manages sponsorship budget to maximize investment and benefits to the Bank. Determines worthiness of individual sponsorship and if the Bank is effectively leveraging all sponsorship benefits. Supervises the Bank’s role in each corporate sponsorship, including publicity and general arrangements. Establishes and communicates policies and procedures with respect to sponsorships, their evaluation and implementation and can confidently convey to senior leaders sponsorship decisions.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications or marketing or relevant area of study or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 10+ years related experience in a fast-paced Corporate Communications environment.
• Previous experience in the Financial Services or Banking Industry is preferred.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills including proven message development and speechwriting capabilities, portfolio required.
• Fluent knowledge of Microsoft 365 suite of products (Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint and Excel) Knowledge of design software a plus.
• Prior experience in the design, writing, editing, print production, and publication of internal and external publications.
• Ability to work with internal and external constituencies, particularly executive and senior management.
• Strong multi-tasking skills required; ability to handle and execute multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal, written and relationship building skills, including listening and interview skills.
• Well-organized, self-starting professional with high ethical standards.
• Team player with strong communication consulting skills and media training experience.
• Ability to think strategically, and present and implement recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce and analyze ongoing internal and external communications and provide metrics.
• Track record in working with internal stakeholders and creative services to deliver outstanding results.
• Lead and represent Liberty Bank in the community through teammate volunteerism.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• General Office Equipment
• Keyboard Dexterity
• Prolonged Sitting
• Ability to travel by car

COMPLIANCE:
Acts affirmatively in all activities under his/her control in conformance with the Bank’s Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Fair Lending Programs to achieve the Bank’s goals and objectives. The Bank shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons, and continue to recruit, hire, train and evaluate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or veteran status.