External Communications Manager

At Early Warning, we’ve powered and protected the U.S. financial system for over thirty years with cutting-edge solutions like Zelle®, Paze℠, and so much more. As a trusted name in payments, we partner with thousands of institutions to increase access to financial services and protect transactions for hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses.

Positions located in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York follow a hybrid work model to allow for a more collaborative working environment.

Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship.

Overall Purpose 

The External Communications Manager will support the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that advance the company’s reputation and strengthen its portfolio of brands as well as our foundational risk and insights business as necessary, with media and other critical stakeholder audiences. This position plays a central role in applying data-driven insights to inform communications planning, monitor performance, and optimize outreach. The role will leverage experience working with media in high-stakes situations and deliver proactive media placements that tell the company’s and brands’ stories in compelling and credible ways. By gathering and analyzing audience, media, and stakeholder data, the manager helps shape effective storytelling, ensures alignment with business priorities, and supports leadership in building trust with key audiences. Ultimately, the role contributes to the company’s ability to deliver clear, consistent, and compelling communications that protect and enhance its reputation. 

Essential Functions 

• Execute communications initiatives that protect and enhance the reputations of Early Warning and its products, including drafting press releases, FAQs, statements, and other media materials; managing proactive pitching; and coordinating with stakeholders to ensure message alignment. 

• Leverage advanced analytics and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled monitoring tools, to anticipate reputational risks, detect disinformation, and identify opportunities for proactive storytelling. 

• Close collaboration with internal stakeholders — including Marketing, Sales, and Legal teams — to develop proactive communications initiatives that strengthen reputation and reinforce the company’s leadership on trust, innovation, and purpose. 

• Support high-stakes media engagement by preparing briefing materials and playbooks, drafting holding statements and Q&A, and managing select inbound media inquiries to ensure accurate and consistent messaging. 

• Apply data and analytics across the communications lifecycle — from anticipating risks and shaping storytelling to measuring campaign performance, tracking media coverage, and delivering reporting that informs strategy and demonstrates impact. 

• Help maintain a communications calendar to support integrated planning across campaigns, issues, and stakeholder engagement. 

• Contribute to preparedness and response efforts by supporting the development of future-facing scenario plans and playbooks, monitoring issues, and helping deliver rapid-response materials in partnership with senior leaders and agency partners. 

• Support operational effectiveness by helping develop and manage tools, processes, and systems that enable the communications team to work efficiently and deliver measurable results.