Sr Marketing & Communications Specialist

Position Title: Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist

Position Summary:

The Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s brand, voice, and visibility across diverse channels. Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing & Brand, this position is responsible for shaping and executing strategic communication initiatives, media and public relations efforts, and integrated content that supports the organization's mission, enhances reputation, and strengthens stakeholder engagement. This contributes to preparing executives for external interviews by providing media training and crafting talking points. Manages the delivery of information and corporate communications to key stakeholders. Utilizes a wide variety of channels to deliver content (newsletter articles, press releases, talking points, etc.) to communicate business goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Public Relations & Media Relations:

• Serve as a primary media contact; cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Lead proactive and reactive media relations, including writing press releases, media pitches, and statements.
• Oversee the organization’s crisis communication plan and serve as a key team member in crisis response situations.
• Monitor media coverage and trends; provide regular reporting and sentiment analysis to executive leadership.

Strategic Communications & Content Development:

• Create, edit, and manage content across platforms including websites, press materials, newsletters, internal communications, and social media.
• Ensure all content aligns with brand voice, tone, and organizational priorities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop messaging and campaigns that support business units, product launches, events, and initiatives.

Brand & Messaging Support:

• Ensure consistency in brand messaging across all internal and external touchpoints.
• Contribute to the development of strategic communication plans, talking points, executive messaging, and speeches.

Media Monitoring & Analysis:

• Use media intelligence tools to track coverage, identify emerging risks or opportunities, and measure impact.
• Develop monthly and quarterly dashboards to evaluate communications performance and media reach.

Stakeholder & Internal Communications:

• Support executive leadership with communication needs, including training, messaging development, announcements, and presentations.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to strengthen internal engagement and organizational culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, or public relations roles.
• Demonstrated success managing media relations, crisis communications, and content strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven experience with media monitoring platforms (e.g., Meltwater, Cision, Critical Mention).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Experience within the financial services or credit union industry is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker with a high level of initiative and sound judgment.
• Calm under pressure, especially in high-stakes or crisis scenarios.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on marketing and communication trends.
• Must be a team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

(The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to stand, walk, and sit.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work Arra