Public Relations & Communications Manager, South Bend, IN

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for developing and maintaining a favorable public relations climate within the community, the press, and bank shareholders to maintain and build brand strength, bank reputation, and bank value proposition. Also responsible for contributing to Marketing's strategy to strengthen the Bank's competitive position (brand and value proposition), including planning and executing strategic marketing communications to support the following (social media, press relations, and integrated marketing communications).

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Plans, develops, and administers the bank's public relations & external communications program to include managing media contacts and press relations, accordingly, facilitates press releases receiving broad press coverage and facilitates press coverage of key Bank events.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets public opinion for management as it relates to assigned areas of the organization.
• Develops and nurtures contacts within the community (i.e., media contacts, press, contacts at key community organizations, etc.), as well as within the bank acting as the informed spokesperson for their discipline.
• Drafts, sends, and follows up the issuance of press releases and pursues other media communications including pro-active development of positive story ideas.
• Crafts and executes the strategy and plan for the Bank's social media including but not limited to the following (i.e, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn).
• Represents Marketing on the Crisis Management Committee and recommends the position the Bank should take on sensitive issues, including potentially crisis management situations and periodic disaster recovery testing.
• Responsible for Investor Relations communication; including annual report (annual shareholder letter), financial releases, and shareholder communication (quarterly letters to shareholders). This function also involves serving on the bank's Disclosure Committee to meet the Marketing requirements to the Disclosure Committee.
• Serves as Grants Officer, reviews and evaluates Foundation requests, and ensures announcement and appropriate recognition for gift/donation/allocation.
• Manages key customer communications (including customer email marketing and e-newsletters) and employee/internal communications (HR liaison).
• Responsible for the completion of all compliance training and compliance requirement responsibilities related to the position.
• Must understand all applicable laws and regulations that apply to the position and comply with the requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs all other marketing and product management duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in marketing preferred.
• Knowledge of social media and basic digital technology required.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere and learn quickly; to execute in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated relationship building skills (active listening, professional appearance and demeanor, and confidence).
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to perform multiple tasks within a limited time.
• Treats individuals with respect under all circumstances, instills trust in others, and upholds the values of the organization.
• Self-starter, ability to work independently.
• Computer skills (Word and Excel); ability to navigate through various software and systems

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree with concentration in Business, Marketing, or Communications preferred.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to travel, as well ability to travel over night, as needed, for meetings, projects, or training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand and walk; use hands and fingers to operate keyboard and other office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

EQUIPMENT: MS Office, MS Outlook, PC, phone, and standard office equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)