Job details

SVP, Communications

As the nation's largest community credit union, we begin every day focused on delivering superior financial products and services for our 1.3 million members and more than $30 billion in managed assets. Our work has an economic impact as we support our members' financial goals. We are unapologetic about being devoted to our members and the communities we serve. Our business is guided by our people helping people philosophy – which includes our team members.

BECU has been in business for more than 85 years, driven by unwavering core values and a dedication to improving the communities we serve. While we have a rich history, the future of our company, accelerated by business and technology transformation, is even brighter. There's never been a better time to work for BECU.

To learn more visit becu.org/careers.

PAY RANGE

The Target Pay Range for this position is $300,000-$375,000 annually. The full Pay Range is $225,000-$450,000 annually. At BECU, compensation decisions are determined using factors such as relevant job-related skills, experience, and education or training. Should an offer for employment be made, we will consider individual qualifications. In addition to your salary, compensation incentives are available for the hired applicant. Incentives are performance based and targets vary by role.

BENEFITS

Employees and their eligible family members have access to a wide array of employee benefits, such as medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Employees have access to disability and AD&D insurance. We also offer health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts, as well as health savings accounts, to eligible employees. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan and employer-funded retirement plan. Newly hired employees accrue 6.16 hours of paid time off (PTO) on a per pay period basis based on hours worked (up to a maximum of 160 PTO hours per year) and receive ten paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Additional details regarding BECU Benefits can be found

here

SUMMARY

The Senior Vice President (SVP), Communications, leads the development and execution of BECU’s cooperative (corporate) affairs strategy. This role oversees the strategy for engaging key internal and external stakeholders and the public in the BECU story. The SVP will serve as a cooperative (corporate) affairs strategic advisor to the CEO and executive team. This role will have oversight of external communications, internal communications, executive communications, media relations, issues/crisis management, and member communications. Additionally, the SVP will be responsible for organic social media/social response, change communications, social impact/philanthropy communications, and reputation management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and training to develop and encourage employee performance. Meet with staff on a timely basis for the purpose of conducting performance reviews.
Oversee the management and execution of BECU’s internal and external communications strategy and messaging to align with and elevate BECU’s purpose, vision, values, brand, reputation, and community initiatives.
Provide strategic guidance and oversight for BECU’s public relations strategy, media relations program, promotional and content partnerships and thought leadership program, to elevate BECU’s brand, member value and community engagement initiatives.
Maintain effective relationships with local media, credit union trade associations, employer groups, government officials, and other relationship activities affecting the members and employees, as well as the Board of Directors of the Credit Union.

Provide strategic guidance and oversight for BECU’s employee communications strategy to foster a unified culture and employee connection to BECU’s purpose, vision, brand, values, and goals.
Lead BECU’s member communications content for external, outbound communications across BECU channels focused on operational initiatives, updates and procedures that impact members.
Identify and develop internal spokespersons to serve as subject matter experts. Serve as BECU’s primary media representative as needed.
Effectively counsel executives and organizational leaders on their communications needs and opportunities (e.g., issue and reputation management, executive positioning, thought leadership, employee engagement, etc.).
Oversee practices to manage CEO's social media, content, and messaging strategy, including major initiatives led out of the Office of the CEO. Draft statements, opinion editorials, speeches, and other long-form media on behalf of the CEO.
Support the CEO efforts to elevate BECU’s brand through day-to-day media relations and thought leadership events, while proactively shaping other major public speaking and industry opportunities. Ideate, develop, and execute new platform ideas for the CEO.
Oversee BECU’s organic social media and social response strategy.
Lead the cross-Credit Union team focused on reputational risk mitigation.
Oversee metric development, research, tracking and targeting related to key segments for communications.
Develop and manage an integrated communications plan and budget.
Oversee BECU’s relationship with communication agencies and freelance resources to support development and execution of internal and external communication strategies.
Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications or equivalent experience required. Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum 12 years of management experience required.
Experience in communications management and public relations required.
Experience in the Financial Industry preferred.
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills to effectively communicate with executive leadership, management, staff, and outside contacts required.
Exceptional creativity and ability to communicate conceptually and specifically required.
Demonstrated ability to research and compile information for the purpose of recommending communications opportunities required.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, while using discretion in decision making and sound judgment in problem solving required.
Effective leadership, negotiation and interpersonal communication skills required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required to effectively communicate and provide customer service required.

EEO Statement:

BECU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.