Hybrid Director of Communications and Media Relations en 7 17 Credit Union

Description

Mission: We help people improve their lives financially and support the communities we serve.

Title:   Director of Communications and Media Relations

Job Summary: The Director of Communications and Media Relations develops, leads, and implements a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy to enhance 7 17 Credit Union’s visibility and reputation across the greater Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Warren markets.

The Director will work cross-functionally to support the credit union’s brand, community involvement, and executive visibility efforts through compelling storytelling and strategic communications. The role also oversees social media strategy and internal communications to ensure alignment with the credit union’s overall mission and messaging.

All job positions at 7 17 Credit Union may be assigned further duties with or without notice, verbally or in writing.  Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

1. Develop and direct an integrated communications and media relations strategy aligned with the credit union’s marketing and communications goals.
2. Serve as the primary contact for media inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
3. Act as primary spokesperson for the organization.
4. Lead the credit union’s crisis communications efforts and serve as a key advisor during sensitive issues.
5. Monitor media coverage and public sentiment; analyze and report on media KPIs (including Advertising Value Equivalency) and provide regular updating to the senior management team and board of directors.
6. Manage vendor relationships (e.g., PR agencies, monitoring tools) and oversee the media relations budget.
7. Responsible for social media strategy, engagement, growth, and brand positioning on multiple platforms. Over sees social media teams, employees and interns.
8. Manage and grow the credit union’s social media presence and audience engagement.
9. Stay informed on industry news, competitor activity, and community issues relevant to the credit union’s markets.
10. Ensure compliance across all public-facing communications.
11. Develop and implement internal communication strategies aligned with organizational goals and values.
12. Manage internal communication content, including emails, intranet updates, and leadership messages.
13. Ensure consistent messaging across departments and channels to maintain brand voice and alignment.
14. Monitor and evaluate communication effectiveness through surveys, analytics, and employee feedback.
15. Collaborate with HR and other departments on internally communicating key initiatives.

Qualifications

Confidentiality Requirements:  Must keep members' transactions and other Credit Union business in strictest confidence.

Travel Demands:  Must be able to travel locally, regionally and nationally. Occasional travel is required for press events, meetings, or community engagements. Must be able to work extended hours during major media events or crisis situations.

Prerequisite Education: 

          1.   High school diploma or equivalent

          2.   Undergraduate degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, or related field 

Prerequisite Experience: 

1. Minimum of 8 years of experience in media relations, public relations, or corporate communications.
2. Minimum of 3 years of management experience.

Other prerequisite requirements of the position:

1. Demonstrated success securing media coverage and managing press relationships.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; skilled in storytelling and messaging.
3. Strong understanding of media and PR best practices, particularly in the financial services or highly regulated industry.
4. Experience in social media strategy and engagement.
5. Familiarity with media monitoring tools (e.g., Meltwater, Cision) and analytics platforms.
6. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
7. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence leadership.
8. Deep knowledge of the Northeast Ohio media landscape preferred.
9. APR (Accreditation in Public Relations) or similar certification preferred.
10. Experience in the credit union or banking industry.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities once in the job:

     1.  Customer service attitude and skills to include:

Team player attitude, commitment, patience, enthusiasm, creativity, listening, comprehension, initiative, cooperation, attention to detail, resourcefulness.

     2.   Professionalism to include:

     Confidence, good judgment, appropriate demeanor and appearance; ability to interact   with employees and members.

     3.   Skills to include:

       Problem solving, decision making, time management, interpersonal communications, organization.

4.   Other: Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and presentation skills, and an excellent sales          aptitude.

5.   Other: Has working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and email software as well as computers in general.

Physical, Mental or Visual 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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear.

This job regularly requires the employee to lift 1 to 20 pounds 5 times per day, and occasionally up to 20-30 pounds when transporting materials to events.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust and focus.

Working Conditions:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

• may rarely work near moving mechanical parts
• may rarely in outside weather conditions
• may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions   
• may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles (possible at Select Group locations).

The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.