Senior Communications Manager

We’re looking for a purpose-driven, dynamic and experienced external communications/media affairs professional for this key, frontline role within the Corporate Communications team.

This role will provide strategic communications support to leaders, partners and peers to mitigate risk and create positive news to promote Truist, advance our purpose and help build brand awareness through reactive and proactive media relations activities.

This person will be responsible for managing corporate media relations—both blocking and tackling (day-to-day media relations, including managing inbound inquiries and our news clips process) and strategic thinking/counsel (designing and leading proactive, integrated/PESO campaigns; facilitating media training sessions; and providing POVs on sensitive topics).

The ideal candidate is a news junkie who brings solid tier one media experience, has a deep understanding of the external landscape and possesses a proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, inquiries and incidents.

Office centric role with 4 days in office – this is not a remote opportunity.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change from time to time.

• Develop and execute internal and external communications strategies to help protect our reputation and promote the brand.
• Obtain positive media mentions on Truist products, services and purpose; support leadership message development; media and spokesperson training; issues management; and internal communications.
• Collaborate across the team on reactive and proactive media opportunities, and drive internal planning and awareness forums to break down silos and find operational efficiencies in our work.
• Counsel leaders and peers on sensitive topics and our issues and crisis portfolio.
• Counsel social media team on key issues.
• Maintain Corporate Communications policy.
• Serve as a resource on complex solutions.
• Create positive news to build the company’s brand, advance our purpose, and promote our solutions and services.
• Forge relationships with business leaders to gain knowledge, align communications objectives and goals with the businesses, and serve as a trusted consultative partner.
• Water the flowers by forging and strengthening strategic relationships with beat reporters and key external stakeholders to help drive favorable coverage and promote good corporate citizenship.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

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.

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent education and related training
• 7 years of progressive and related experience
• Demonstrated team player with excellent interpersonal, negotiation, listening and management skills; ability to successfully interact with people at all levels of the organization and counsel, negotiate, influence and inspire
• Proven project management ability including managing the conceptualization and execution of multiple large, complex projects along with capability to make rational decisions under pressure
• Strong, well-rounded communications skills including writing/editing, project management, publicity, and news judgment
• Ability to exercise judgment in solving technical, operational, and organizational challenges in the context of business objectives and priorities
• Knowledge of the industry’s competitive landscape and an understanding of the market and regulatory factors that affect our business

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or English
• 10+ years of related external and crisis communications experience
• Experience in Financial Services industry, and/or agency experience

General Description of Available Benefits for Eligible Employees of Truist Financial Corporation:

All regular teammates (not temporary or contingent workers) working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits, though eligibility for specific benefits may be determined by the division of Truist offering the position. Truist offers medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, tax-preferred savings accounts, and a 401k plan to teammates. Teammates also receive no less than 10 days of vacation (prorated based on date of hire and by full-time or part-time status) during their first year of employment, along with 10 sick days (also prorated), and paid holidays. For more details on Truist’s generous benefit plans, please visit our Benefits site. Depending on the position and division, this job may also be eligible for Truist’s defined benefit pension plan, restricted stock units, and/or a deferred compensation plan.

Truist is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, citizenship or national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law. Truist is a Drug Free Workplace.

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