What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Communications position at Community Financial System, Inc.?
Overview:
Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.
To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.
Responsibilities:
This individual will oversee all CFSI (CBNA, BPAS, OneGroup, Nottingham Financial Group) communications, work with various marketing team members and external ad agency, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with business goals and compliance with industry regulations.
Essential Duties:
External Communications
Qualifications:
Min: USD $80,000.00/Yr. Max: USD $139,633.00/Yr. Other Job Information:
Physical Requirements:
The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.
At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.
Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.
To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.
The Director of Internal and External Communications is responsible for crafting and executing a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance the company’s reputation, engage stakeholders, and align employees with business goals. This role oversees all aspects of corporate communication, including public relations, media relations, executive messaging, employee communications, and crisis management, ensuring consistent and compliant messaging across all channels.
This individual will oversee all CFSI (CBNA, BPAS, OneGroup, Nottingham Financial Group) communications, work with various marketing team members and external ad agency, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment with business goals and compliance with industry regulations.
Responsible for strategic development and implementation of corporate marketing initiatives, in order to meet organizational objectives; The director will be equally proficient with day-to-day marketing activities and long-term strategizing, and strive under tight deadlines to meet the company's changing needs.
Essential Duties:
External Communications
- Develop and implement a strategic public relations plan to build brand visibility and maintain a positive public image.
- Serve as the company’s primary spokesperson or oversee the preparation of spokespersons for media engagements.
- Provide media training and coaching for external spokespersons.
- Cultivate relationships with media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers to secure coverage in key publications.
- Manage press releases, media advisories, thought leadership content, and key announcements, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Work closely with Social Media Manager and other marketing team members to ensure tone of voice is consistent for corporate websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
- Partner with the marketing team to ensure alignment between external communications and broader marketing campaigns.
Internal Communications
- Develop and lead the company’s internal communication strategy to foster employee engagement and alignment with the company’s mission and goals.
- Collaborate with HR and executive leadership to craft messages that inform and inspire employees.
- Oversee the production of internal newsletters, announcements, and town hall events.
- Establish feedback channels to gauge employee sentiment and adapt communication strategies as needed.
- Ensure alignment between internal and external messaging to maintain consistency and trust.
Executive Communications
- Craft speeches, presentations, and other executive communications for the CEO and senior leadership.
- Provide strategic guidance on executive positioning and visibility in industry events or media.
Crisis Management and Compliance
- Lead the company’s crisis communication efforts, providing clear and timely updates to internal and external audiences during sensitive situations.
- Ensure all communications comply with industry regulations and company policies.
- Develop and maintain a crisis communication plan, conducting regular drills and updates.
- Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to pertinent policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner
Measurement and Reporting
- Establish KPIs for communication efforts and track performance metrics to measure effectiveness.
- Provide regular updates and insights to senior leadership on communication initiatives and their impact.
Ancillary Duties:
As requested by manager or needed for moving business purposes along.
Qualifications:
Education/Training:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
- 7 years of experience in corporate communications.
- Proven experience in both internal and external communications within a regulated industry, preferably financial services.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and tone.
- Expertise in crisis communication and reputational risk management.
- Proficiency in communication tools and platforms (e.g., SharePoint, intranet software, media monitoring tools).
- Experience in crisis management and addressing reputational challenges on social media.
Skills:
- Familiarity with financial, insurance, wealth and benefit plan products and services.
- Experience working with C-suite executives and providing strategic counsel.
- Certifications in communication or public relations (e.g., APR, CMP, IABC).Creative mindset with a keen eye for detail and trends.
- Strong project management, multitasking, and decision-making skills.
- Understanding of marketing operations’ role in cross-channel marketing campaigns.
- Understanding of sales and marketing processes and best practices.
- Attention to detail and awareness of deadlines, budgetary requirements, constraints.
- Ability to work cross-departmentally to obtain critical information and satisfy internal stakeholders.
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Passion to learn and grow.
- Proficient skills in: reading, writing, grammar, mathematics, PC; valid driver’s license.
- All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Min: USD $80,000.00/Yr. Max: USD $139,633.00/Yr. Other Job Information:
Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!
Physical Requirements:
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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.
The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.
Salary : $80,000 - $139,633
