Senior External Communications Manager

The Senior External Communications Manager will help lead UMB’s external communications strategy and function to strengthen brand reputation, amplify thought leadership, and engage key stakeholders across media, industry, and external community channels. This role is responsible for developing and executing integrated external communications plans that align with business objectives and position UMB as a trusted financial services leader. This role partners closely with other corporate communication team members, marketing, regional leadership and others to deliver impactful, timely, and narrative-driven communication.

How you will spend your time:

• Develop, execute, and oversee strategic external communication plans to support the following areas’ priorities and goals: Institutional Banking, Consumer, Private Wealth Management and Employer Brand.

• Serve as a strategic communication advisor to internal stakeholders, including executives, across the organization

• Able to distill complex information and topics into actionable and audience-appropriate materials

• Monitor industry news and collaborate with internal and agency partners to proactively identify media opportunities and potential risks.

• Oversee and execute earned and owned media strategies

• Prep spokespeople for media interactions, including messaging development

• Provide media training to new spokespeople

• Build and maintain relationships with regional and national reporters

• Direct thought leadership, editorial, and targeted placement in local, regional and trade media

• Write compelling content across a variety of media and business subjects, including pitches, press releases, talking points, guest columns, blog posts, award nominations, video scripts, and more

• Fully manage and oversee the production of UMB’s annual ESG and Corporate Citizenship report.

• Manage communication/PR agency and other vendors, freelancers, and consultants as needed

• Prioritize to remain focused on goals and strategic plan execution

• Able to solve complex problems under tight deadlines

• Plan and track complex projects while juggling competing priorities and adapting when needs change unexpectedly

• Serve as a crisis communication team member on an as-needed basis

• Analyze, measure and report on output to validate overall approach, assess value, capture ROI (when possible), etc.

• Other duties as assigned.

We’re excited to talk with you if you have:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communication, or Journalism

• 10+ years of media relations and other related experience

• 3+ years agency experience or experience managing a PR agency relationship

• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills

• Outstanding project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and stay within project budgets

• Excellent media relations skills, with a proven track record of strategically and proactively securing placements

• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick and sound decisions under tight timelines in important situations

• Ability to effectively interact with and strategically counsel and advise all levels of associates, including C-suite executives

• Ability to work with media and the larger community

• Ability to multitask, work quickly and efficiently

• Ability to manage unforeseen projects as they arise

• Strong technology and computer skills

Compensation Range:

$83,200.00 - $178,800.00

The posted compensation range on this listing represents UMB’s standard for this role, but the actual compensation may vary by geographic location, experience level, and other job-related factors. In addition, this range does not encompass the full earning potential for this role. Please see the description of benefits included with this job posting for additional information

UMB offers competitive and varied benefits to eligible associates, such as Paid Time Off; a 401(k) matching program; annual incentive pay; paid holidays; a comprehensive company sponsored benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage; health savings, flexible spending, and dependent care accounts; adoption assistance; an employee assistance program; fitness reimbursement; tuition reimbu