Public Relations Manager Sr.

Company Description

This position is eligible for fully remote work for candidates residing in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Tennessee. Candidates in other states are not eligible for remote work.

For Colorado-based candidates, a hybrid schedule is required.

Ent Credit Union exists to improve the financial quality of life of the people we serve. This mission drives us every day, but we are more than our mission. We're also individuals using our unique abilities to make our organization, and the communities we serve, better than they were yesterday. We're a not-for-profit that puts people above profits and actively invests in our community. Our rapidly growing team is expanding our reach to serve more people throughout Colorado. To spread our mission far and wide, we need people like you. If you're interested in a paycheck with a purpose, apply with us today. Our people make the difference, and we truly believe you are our greatest asset.

Job Description

Ent is seeking a Public Relations Manager to lead and orchestrate our earned media, spokesperson, and marketing sponsorship efforts in support of Ent's brand. This position successfully builds brand awareness and protects the credit union's reputation. The ideal candidate has cultivated outstanding media contacts across Colorado and the broader region. The candidate should have a strong track record of placing stories and media mentions that positively position the organization, its subject matter experts and executives, philanthropic and community efforts, and other news to enhance its standing as a top-tier financial institution, employer, and partner. The Public Relations Manager delivers excellent writing and storytelling to develop press releases, articles, talking points, FAQs, crisis communications and other public relations messaging. They are a poised spokesperson who can coach and serve as the "voice" of Ent. They manage the credit union's strategic marketing sponsorships plan in support of expanding its brand awareness and marketing goals. This role is accountable for maximizing Ent's earned media opportunities. This role will track and report on our media efforts and coverage. Strong, independent judgment is critical given the nature of relationships, immediacy of interactions and responsibilities required of this position. This position will develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships including: executive leadership, media contacts, the partnership team, marketing and internal communication colleagues, engagement teams, the advocacy team, internal financial education/community impact leaders, and key community contacts.

Essential Functions

• Public Relations: Develop and oversee execution of a comprehensive public relations and earned media strategy that strengthens and supports the organization's reputation, credibility, visibility and business goals through strategic earned media. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key media outlets, journalists, and influencers to secure media coverage and positive exposure that differentiate Ent as a banking provider and community advocate; ensure Ent is a trusted resource for financial, employer of choice, and community expertise. Serve as the organization's key media representative, ensuring consistent, positive and effective communication with external stakeholders. Craft and develop storytelling opportunities, including compelling press releases, media pitches and communication materials to convey our key messages, expertise, community contributions and notable organizational achievements. Cultivate priority messages and messaging strategy. Ensure timely responses and intentional, planned (where possible) crisis management based on internal or external risk scenarios as they arise, partnering with Ent leadership, internal and member communications teams for a coordinated response; note this may happen outside of standard business hours. Establish key performance indicators for media coverage; monitor, measure, report and evaluate impact of PR efforts. Oversee creation and execution of PR calendar in close collaboration with marketing, community impact and financial education, advocacy, partnerships and business line. Identify and activate Ent subject matter experts for media interviews and appearances, ensuring they are confidently prepared and able to best represent Ent (e. g. talking points, speech writing, media training and interview/speaking prep). Ensure a standard list of approved talking points is developed and maintained to ensure consistent, on-brand messaging. Maintain a list of strategic opportunities/publications that directly aligns with our current goals and overall mission. Help ensure Ent achieves the position of the #1 credit union in Colorado by seeking awareness and exposure opportunities through external or public ratings, awards and recognitions. Supports Ent's brand by seeking and pursuing stories and speaking opportunities related to our philanthropic and financial education work and expertise.
• Sponsorships: Identify, evaluate and secure partnerships that build brand awareness and align with our brand and mission. Establish, nurture and negotiate relationships with potential marketing Recruiting sponsors, ensuring agreements provide mutual value and support. When relationships are deemed to be organizational partnerships, facilitate a smooth transition to the director of partnership success. Oversee the activation and delivery of marketing sponsorship agreements, ensuring that both parties receive the expected benefits and recognition. Measure and report on the impact of sponsorship partnerships, demonstrating their contribution to organizational goals; includes identifying and implementing tools for evaluating opportunities and assessing sponsorship performance. Collaborate with internal teams to integrate sponsorship activations into marketing and community engagement initiatives.
• Other Responsibilities: Oversee budget management for PR and marketing sponsorships, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources. Establish key performance indicators for all areas of responsibility; monitor, measure, evaluate and communicate impact internally and externally as appropriate. Create, execute and evaluate processes and procedures around PR and marketing sponsorship activities that ensure both compliance and consistency. Preserving and enhancing brand reputation through repeatable activities while initiating and fostering strong partnership with colleagues and outside vendors.
• Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Ent policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.

Qualifications

Minimum Formal Qualifications for this Position

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English, Marketing or a similar field
• 5+ years' of experience in public relations, media relations, or communications (preferably within banking, finance, or nonprofit sectors; preferably within a Colorado news market with current relationships with media)
• 2+ years' experience with staff management, training & development, and/or team leadership. Pref
• 1+ years' experience marketing financial services and/or products. Pref

Each year of relevant work experience may be exchanged for a year in a relevant degree program or vice versa. For example, a requirement of a bachelor's degree in accounting and 2+ years of account experience could be substituted for a high school diploma and 6 years of relevant accounting work experience or a master's degree in accounting and 0 years of work experience.


Technical or Specialized Knowledge/Skills:

• Skilled at developing and executing PR strategies, crafting press releases and media pitches, and building relationships with key media outlets and stakeholders
• Skilled at managing crisis communications effectively
• Previous PR or journalism experience with a demonstrated track record of getting the story.
• Experience managing sponsorships for a large organization with demonstrated results.
• Strong knowledge of local, regional and state media (current relationships preferred). National media exposure a plus.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, especially in regards to writing effective news releases, media advisories and media pitches.
• Ability to effectively "manage? a story under duress with poise and presence.
• Skill to drive effective outreach.
• Highly proficient at building strong interpersonal relationships within Ent and with our service partners/vendors to accomplish objectives in a smooth, efficient and effective manner.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully secure media coverage within trade and consumer media outlets across broadcast, print & online.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional organization skills.
• Effective problem solver.
• Comfort with ambiguity, testing and learning from new things.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to work with all levels of management and associates.
• Strong work ethic and highly collaborative with management, cross-functional teams, partners and the press.
• Capable of balancing competing demands of the organization and business units through appropriate management of staff, vendors, and marketing resources.
• Solid understanding of AP writing style.

Certifications Required:

• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) membership and/or accreditation preferred

Environmental, Physical and Psychological Requirements

• Standing - Occasionally
• Walking - Occasionally
• Sitting - Frequently
• Lifting - Rarely (40 Lbs)
• Carrying - Rarely
• Pushing - Rarely
• Pulling - Rarely
• Balancing - Rarely
• Stooping - Rarely
• Kneeling - Rarely
• Crouching - Rarely
• Crawling - Rarely
• Reaching - Occasionally
• Handling - Occasionally
• Grasping - Occasionally
• Feeling - Occasionally
• Talking - Frequently
• Hearing - Frequently
• Repetitive Motions - Frequently
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Occasionally
• Noises louder than normal speaking volume - Occasionally
• Temperature Changes - Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely

Additional Information

The pay range for this position is: $90,126 to $118,285 per Year (S17)

Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, certifications, and internal pay equity.

This position is eligible for our corporate bonus program based on company performance.

This position is 100% remote for candidates residing outside of Colorado, but only in the following states: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Candidates requesting remote work who live in other states will not be considered.

Relocation assistance is not provided

Benefits Summary Sheet

At Ent Credit Union, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Benefits: Affordable insurance, 24/7 doctor access, and a nationwide provider network.
• 401(k): 3% automatic contribution after three months, plus up to 6% matching.
• Paid Time Off: During your first year, enjoy 16 days of paid time off (PTO) plus 9 paid holidays. And it grows from there.
• Volunteer Time Off: Paid time off to give back to the community.
• Education Support: Up to $10,000 annually for higher education and assistance for certifications.
• Exclusive Discounts: Significant savings on home, car, and personal loans.
  
  For more information about our outstanding benefits please visit our careers page at www.ent.com/careers.
  
  We anticipate this position to close on 4/10/2025. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to be considered.
  
  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)