Communications Specialist (Marketing)

General Summary (What is done and why)

The Communications Specialist is primarily responsible for creating compelling content and providing project support for public and internal communications that enhance the United brand image and awareness. The Communications Specialist creates content that engages employees, Members, and media, amplifying the voice of United in each region.
 

Using an integrated marketing communications approach, the Communications Specialist supports all channels to communicate the brand and unique selling proposition of the organization in order to drive loan and deposit goals, highlight community impact events/partnerships, provide Member education, and promote brand reputation. The channels utilized may include website, social media, talking points, blog, emails, video, events, and publicity. 

By deeply understanding United's brand and verbal identity, style, value proposition, and corporate/regional differentiators, the Communications Specialist will support content marketing, branded promotional campaigns, public relations, market expansion, and internal storytelling through copywriting, quality assurance/proofreading, creative research, and communications analytics.

Essential Functions, in Priority Order (Majority of duties, but not meant to be all inclusive or prevent other duties from being assigned as necessary)

1. Responsible for supporting corporate-level and regional marketing, brand awareness, and experience campaigns that accomplish objectives such as grow members, grow loans, and grow deposits. This includes copywriting in support of content marketing (Advice Hub, community impact events, and digital marketing campaigns). Tracks efforts and reports regularly on performance. Time: 25%
2. Partners with Digital Marketing team by writing email content that focuses on creativity and personalization, monitoring and responding to external Reviews about United from various social channels (Yelp, Google, Facebook, etc.) in a timely fashion, and routinely updating content for the Advice Hub blog on the website, including creating fresh, relevant financial articles based on based on SEO trends and content improvement/ideation opportunities. Establishes meaningful metrics to track and analyzes that data to make future recommendations for management. Time: 25%
3. Supports the creation and sharing of United's organic social media content. Works with community impact, regional, and marketing teams to schedule the social media calendar across all of United's social media channels. Builds positive working relationships with each line of business and deeply understands their goals, objectives, differentiators within the market. Acts as a partner in developing content and sharing stories that help grow the business through social media engagement with members, prospective members and the general public. Analyzes engagement metrics to make meaningful recommendations for management. Time: 20%
4. Supports the planning and creating of specific internal communications initiatives—such as Community Impact talking points for United subject matter experts and Frontline Staff talking points for Member assistance.  Time: 20%
5. Supports Member communications (statements, notices, letters, forms—SNLF) by creating and/or proofreading ad hoc letters, and assisting with reviewing recurring daily notices/letters on an annual basis.  Time: 10%

EDUCATION (Minimum education required to perform the duties of this position)

• Bachelor's degree in related field or two years of related work experience preferred.

EXPERIENCE (Minimum experience required to perform the duties of this position)

In addition to the education requirement:

• Two or more years marketing, communications, journalism, or public relations experience required.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word and Excel) required. 
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) required.
• Social media experience preferred.
• Project management experience a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Minimum technical and communication skill levels and licenses/certificates normally required to perform the duties of this position)

• Excellent, highly-evolved verbal and written communication skills
• Creativity
• Organizing
• Planning
• Process Management
• Presentation Skills
• Understanding Others
• Standing Alone
• Demonstrated excellence in copywriting
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of writing and implementing communications plans.
• PC computer proficiency with windows and communication software necessary.

Required Competencies

• Problem Solving
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Time Management
• Demonstrates Courage
• Drive for Results
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Customer Focus
• Integrity and Trust
• Self-Development
• Business Acumen

Mental Requirements

• Ability to analyze budgets, trends, research data, competition and time commitments.
• Ability to use good judgment and make sound decisions quickly.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Proven problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to identify essential elements of market success planning.
• Ability to understand strategic objectives.
• Ability to concentrate in a multi-task environment.
• Capable of understanding the needs of Board Members, Credit Union staff and Members.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and professional image.

Tools and Equipment Used

• All available general office equipment as needed.

• All available computer software and hardware as needed.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/CONTACTS (Positions with which incumbent has frequent contact)

• As necessary, personal/written/phone contact with Senior Management Team members.
• As necessary, personal/written/phone contact with Board Members.
• Daily, personal/written/phone contact with other department managers.
• Daily, personal/written/phone contact with Credit Union staff.
• Daily, personal/written/phone contact with vendors and media.
• Occasional, personal/written/phone contact with Credit Union Members, community agencies, consultants.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (Physical effort generally associated with this position)

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods of time, but most work is done from a seated position.  There is potential for eyestrain from prolonged work at the computer.  Deadlines, workloads and pressure to achieve goals may cause increased stress levels.

WORKING CONDITIONS (Typical working conditions associated with this type of work and environmental hazards, if any, that may be encountered in performing the duties of this position)

Internal - Work is normally performed in climate controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes and gases is very limited.  Noise level is moderate and includes sounds of normal office equipment (computers, telephones, etc).  No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of duties. Length of day is unpredictable; long hours may be required to accommodate deadlines or special meetings.

External - Some travel is required; however, information on environmental conditions is not available.

EEO/AA Employer/VET/Disabled