Corporate Communications Specialist

Overview

The corporate communications specialist is a member of the Corporate Communications team, charged with developing and executing internal and external communications strategies and activities supporting a wide range of topics, including year-end financial performance, financial ratings and rankings, business and company milestones, corporate philanthropy, community involvement, talent acquisition and retention, and executive and employee engagement. The corporate communications specialist supports strategic communications, executive communications, media relations and financial communications efforts to reinforce company and brand reputation management at the local, state, regional and national levels in support of Western & Southern Financial Group business objectives. This individual serves as project manager on numerous internal and/or external initiatives. This position works closely with Public Relations and Corporate Communications team members, marketing communications peers, and executives across the company and various departments, including but not limited to government affairs, law, compliance, human resources, organizational change management, talent development and other shared services teams. Works with minimal supervision and is responsible for making an established range of decisions, updating manager when appropriate and updating manager regularly.

Responsibilities

What you will do:

• Strategic Consultation Operates in a seamless, integrated manner with cross-functional department, corporate and member company teams to deliver strategic communications counsel and expertise in the areas of internal and external communications, executive communications, advertising, media relations, community relations and reputation management to meet program communications objectives. Develops and executes strategic communications initiatives that meet and exceed business partners' expectations and objectives, elevates the quality and effectiveness of communications through innovation and delivers measurable impact. Plans, develops and executes strategic communications and media relations strategies to effectively position corporate and member company clients with appropriate internal/external audiences, and measures results on a regular basis.
• Relationship Management Works directly with executive leadership to deliver strategic communications guidance and support, including message and content generation for speeches, talking points, letters, memos, presentations, scripts, etc. Cultivates strong, positive relationships with executives, internal peers and clients to enhance perception of and build confidence in the Corporate Communications teams' ability to provide results-oriented strategic communications guidance and execution. Develops and leverages internal and external relationships, partnerships and networks to promote corporate and member company business results and philanthropy.
• Project Ownership Leads several internal communications campaigns involving multi-functional teams and supports more complex communications efforts (e.g. Corporate Responsibility and Ride Cincinnati). Supports wider corporate responsibility efforts including content development for the Corporate Responsibility Report, internal campaigns and sponsorship events. Creates timelines, develops content and supports onsite event execution for sponsorship activations.
• Project Support Provides internal and external communications support to special projects by coordinating strategic communications planning and execution to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time. Writes internal and external messaging and collateral materials to meet a wide range of corporate and member company communication needs. Materials are diverse and include speeches, news releases, associate communications, fact sheets, FAQs, advertising copy, brochures, digital/website content, etc. Performs other duties as assigned by management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree In public relations, English, journalism, advertising, communications, marketing or related field, or commensurate selection criteria experience. - Required
• Typically requires 3-5 years professional experience in Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Media Relations or similar. - Required
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple tasks with varying priorities while meeting deadlines. Provide examples of such experience. -
• Proven project management skills required to set priorities, meet deadlines and manage complex communications issues from various executive levels to diverse internal and external audiences. -
• Proven ability to create, implement and evaluate communications strategies. -
• Demonstrated understanding of local, regional, trade and national media sources. -
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills required to develop strategic communications plans and appropriate business communications to all levels of internal and external audiences. Provide examples of original written work, such as news releases, speeches, executive memos, newsletters, etc. -
• Proven understanding of the needs of internal and external audiences, including associates, retirees, media and vendors. -
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, especially concerning sensitive issues that could affect Western & Southern and/or the community. -
• Demonstrated strong organizational and problem-solving skills. -
• Proficient in word processing applications. -
• Working knowledge of media research and tracking applications, social media management tools and content management systems. -

Work Setting/Position Demands:

• Works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
• Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
• Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.

Travel Requirements:

• Limited travel may be required.