SVP of Communications and Media Relations

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Vice President (SVP) Communications & Media Relations will oversee various communication initiatives that engage internal stakeholders and residential communities through various media channels. This leader will oversee the development and execution of campaigns to motivate and engage internal team members, create a sense of community with residents through digital content, lead community impact campaigns, and broaden diversity & inclusion practices companywide. Additionally, s/he will oversee media relation matters to proactively protect the reputation and positioning of the company as an industry leader, establish governance around company communications, and ensure the delivery of effective of communications internally and externally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Partner with C-Suite Executives, Business Leaders and Board of Directors, as needed, to develop internal and external communication strategies. Strategy development and execution includes team member and resident engagement, social channel communications, media relations, corporate social responsibility, and diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives.
• Oversee execution of communications plans to include concept generation, budget, vendor selection, visual elements, and printed materials. Direct initiatives to ensure they adhere to budget and organizational branding standards.
• Establish platforms to engage and inform FirstKey Homes team members, residents, and media outlets in markets of operation. Create dynamic materials, messaging, events, and forums that will positively engage communities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize and develop upon existing web capabilities to drive team member and residential engagement and improve user experiences.
• Serve as key media spokesperson on behalf of FirstKey Homes. Prepare executives for media inquiries and responses, industry events, and crisis communications.
• Proactively monitor local and national situations that impact single-family home rental industry, housing, rent programs, HUD, homelessness. Respond by positioning FirstKey Homes as an industry leader and resident advocate.
• Take lead on shaping communications for industry events including message points, presentations, and briefing documents.
• Develop and maintain FirstKey Homes’ Community Relations through Impact Plans and Assessments. Continually refresh plans based on assessments and foster ongoing community outreach in operating markets.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead Community Impact campaigns across FirstKey Homes. Collaborate closely with stakeholders and manage initiatives to ensure adherence to budgets, schedules, and achievement of goals.
• Lead and/or sponsor the design and implementation of communications initiatives that broaden organizational DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
• Lead the ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Committee and lead the development and publication of the Company’s CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Report.
• Establish metrics to measure the success of communication initiatives. Solicit feedback from stakeholders, analyze data, review metrics, and refine communication strategies to enhance effectiveness of messaging.
• Develop and manage internal processes and policies to govern communication activities across the organization.
• Stay abreast of communication best practices and technologies. Evaluate and implement practices that will enhance effectiveness of company-wide communications.
• This brief summary is not an all-inclusive description of job duties. Other job duties and responsibilities may also be assigned by the incumbent’s manager at any time based upon Company need.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily working indoors, office environment.
• May sit for several hours at a time.
• Prolonged exposure to computer screens.
• Repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or equivalent work experience and/or education
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or similar role
• Proven ability to interface with senior leadership, Board of Directors, and media agencies to influence communication outcomes
• Experience with developing and executing corporate social responsibility strategies; preferably with a focus on reducing environmental impacts of construction work
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion programming and proven ability to implement policies and procedures to enhance effectiveness of DEI practices.
• Experience managing communications across dispersed geographic markets
• Experience building and managing communication programs that engage various internal and external audiences

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in a fast pace, high-growth company

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Communications— Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

WORK STYLES & BEHAVIORS

• Strategic Vision and Planning – Appropriately aligns business strategy with technology solutions to drive achievement of company goals.
• Commercial Orientation – Knows how the company's revenue and profit are derived and understands the necessity of achieving these targets.
• Market Knowledge – Knows the basics of the competitive market and the business context; may have some knowledge of competitors.
• Results-Driven – Meets and beats own and departmental goals plus regularly introduces improvements.
• Change Leadership – Challenges the status quo in furtherance of a better way. Builds collaborative support to drive team acceptance of change.
• People Leadership – Motivates, develops, and directs team members to maximize performance.
• Communication, Collaboration, and Influence – Team player who effectively influences others to accomplish company goals.
• Business Judgement – Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and selects the most appropriate one.
• Creative Problem Solving – Reframes or restructures problems in a different way to seek innovative solutions.
• Executive Presence – Regularly and confidently shares ideas and information with peers, supervisor, and Board. Body language and visual image convey confidence, engagement, and composure.

FirstKey Homes is an equal opportunity employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected classification or status.