Director of Corporate Communications

Company: Westerra Credit Union
Location: Aurora
Posted on: April 10, 2021

Job Description:

Why Westerra?

Westerra strives to be an employer of choice in a highly competitive environment. To achieve our business objectives, we are focused on attracting, developing, empowering, retaining, and motivating a highly qualified workforce. Therefore, we provide competitive compensation and benefits, and further differentiate our internal brand with a unique purpose that binds us all with our members and the communities we serve. Our Total Rewards programs make Westerra a compelling place for talented people to grow their careers. We are committed to creating a high performance environment that fosters and rewards excellence and improves the lives of our employees by providing:

• Purpose & Culture: Our team members are passionate about our WHY and empowered to help our members and community achieve their dreams
• Careers & Well-Being: Our team members experience a feeling of belonging and support for their career journeys and well-being (physical, financial, emotional, social, community, career)
• Compensation & Benefits: Pay is awarded fairly, contributions are rewarded, and programs are available to manage health and wealth. A list of some of our benefits can be viewed at the end of this posting.Hiring range: $96,612 - $127,876
  
  What is the role?
  The Corporate Communications Director is responsible for the conceptualization, development, planning, implementation and analysis of communications strategies and initiatives. The role requires strategic and analytical thinking to recommend strategies to build and maintain a positive corporate brand. The Director partners with leadership and cross-organizational teams to develop and execute communications strategies based on metrics, trends, new ideas and strategic insights. Executes on short to mid-term (1-3 year) goals of the department, which align with the business plan, and organizational objectives.
  
  What will be expected of me?
  • Demonstrable ability to lead and drive end-to-end communication from conception through hands-on implementation.
  • Manage and scale a growing communications program.
  • Lead development of an overall communication strategy; establish objectives, messaging and annual goals for all areas of responsibility ensuring alignment with strategic initiatives.
  • Integrate an overarching brand strategy that supports and advances Westerra's strategic priorities and member-centric experience. Guide leaders in use and evolution of the brand/culture throughout the credit union.
  • Interact with the entire executive team to evolve a strong and differentiated narrative.
  • Launch programs to increase company and brand awareness and share of voice - both internally and externally.External Corporate and Brand Communications: Multi-media strategy, Media Relations
    • Increase awareness and visibility of the company's brand, emergence as a fintech, leadership in the community, and commitment to local/global citizenship.
    • Build strategy and execute programming for all stakeholder groups, including media and policymakers/influencers.
    • Manage public relations agency relationship. Direct public relations activities, including managing media inquiries to build and maintain a wide network of reporter relationships.
    • Guide external partners on executing content, timing and appropriate media outreach surrounding announcements.
    • Assist in directing crisis communications strategy and messaging with press, employees and key stakeholders.
    • Play a key role in developing corporate communication materials on behalf of the company, including press releases, brochures, presentations, web content, key message documents and FAQs. Internal Communications, Employee Branding, Industry, Community
      • Create end-to-end change management communications plans for corporate initiatives.
      • Partner with managers and leaders to meet communications needs, including change management communications and culture-building communications.
      • Work with change owners to think through channels and cadence of communications to move us effectively through a process to adapt to change.
      • Lead internal communications and employee engagement activities that inspire and influence.
      • Ensure employee communications platforms/channels are proactively maintained as a key communications vehicle, including the SharePoint intranet Hub.
      • Assist leaders in preparing periodic updates to the Board of Directors and staff, including coordinating regular all-staff meetings, leadership meetings, town hall meetings, monthly Terrain magazine, community events, celebrations, etc.
      • Partner with Talent leaders to implement new employee branding strategy using social media platforms.
      • Create an integrated branding approach to all internal and external marketing materials for employees and new candidates.
      • Engage with local community on corporate social responsibility activities and commitments.
      • Ensure that communication of current initiatives are accurate, timely, and effectively communicated to appropriate personnel at all levels and departments.
      • Ability to translate messages to be appropriate for the external member audiences, internal staff audience and the executive/board level audience.
      • Comfortable operating in an agile environment, but also possess solid experience successfully navigating the complexities of a large organization. Ability to holistically work in waves collaboratively with other teams.
      • Develop, implement and monitor communications aspects of the Department annual budget.
      • Accountable for multiple complex processes and programs.
      • Consistently demonstrate the Westerra Way to Be.
      • Coach and develop staff, and execute short and long-term staffing needs.
      • Other duties as assigned.Will I have Direct Reports? Yes
        
        What I'm bringing---
        
        Experience/Education:
        • 10+ years' experience in a management or consultative role (Required)
        • Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in related field (Preferred)
        • Change Management certification preferredSkills and Abilities:
          • Direct experience with change management communications
          • Direct crisis communications experience with a track record of successfully planning for and publicly addressing high profile business topics with press, employees and key stakeholders
          • Strong communications expertise, including written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate and simplify complex information to various audiences across job seniority levels
          • Experience providing counsel to senior executives on internal and external messaging and strategy
          • Ability to create and execute a successful media relations program tied to the company's mission and strategy
          • Proficient in Microsoft Office
          • Ability to learn and demonstrate that learning on the job
          • Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
          • Must maintain high-level of confidentiality
          • Demonstrated creative strength
          • Analytical to make decisions using data and business knowledge
          • Proven leadership and interpersonal skills
          • Demonstrates integrity and builds trust
          • Delivers results and ability to balance priorities under pressure
          • Collaborative in role as a team player
          • Accountable for the achievement of results and metrics that contribute to the success of the department
          • Uses advanced logic to make highly complex judgements with a noticeable impact on the department and functional results
          • Master of core functional area and how it fits within the organization and competitive environment
          • Ability to negotiate and influence (change, team, business units, executive leaders)
          • Ability to manage multiple areas of responsibility What is the work environment like, and are there physical requirements for this role?
            Dispersed flexible team environment both on Westerra campus and remote
            Ability to Lift 25-50 lbs.
            
            Some of our Benefit Offerings---
            
            We are committed to providing a competitive, comprehensive benefits program that enables our employees and their families to lead healthy and productive lives. Offerings include:
            • Three Health Plans through UHC that offer a variety of coverage and competitive premiums
            • Two Dental Plans through Delta Dental
            • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) Westerra contributes $600/year for Employee Only and $1200/year for Employee+Dependents
            • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
            • Westerra pays for Basic Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability
            • 20 days of Paid Time Off to start
            • 10+ Paid Holidays
            • Up to $5250 per year for Educational Reimbursement
            • Volunteer Time Off (16 hours per year), and if you use all of your VTO, you are awarded with an additional PTO day each year
            • 2 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
            • Retirement (401K) - Match up to 4% and eligible for 7% Profit Share as well!
            • Awesome Anniversary Program that consists of PLAY (Paid Leave for Anniversary Year) ranging from 1 to 20 days of PLAY based on the anniversary year.More about Westerra
              Westerra credit union was formed by eight schoolteachers, who pooled their funds in 1934 to be able to make loans to other teachers. These visionary leaders created Denver Public Schools Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative, owned and controlled by the members who use its services..... click apply for full job details

Keywords: Westerra Credit Union, Aurora , Director of Corporate Communications, Executive , Aurora, Colorado