Senior External Communications Manager

Role Overview

• Develop, execute, and oversee strategic external communication plans to support the following areas’ priorities and goals: Institutional Banking, Consumer, Private Wealth Management and Employer Brand.
• Serve as a strategic communication advisor to internal stakeholders, including executives, across the organization.
• Able to distill complex information and topics into actionable and audience-appropriate materials.
• Monitor industry news and collaborate with internal and agency partners to proactively identify media opportunities and potential risks.
• Oversee and execute earned and owned media strategies.
• Prep spokespeople for media interactions, including messaging development.
• Provide media training to new spokespeople.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional and national reporters.
• Direct thought leadership, editorial, and targeted placement in local, regional and trade media.
• Write compelling content across a variety of media and business subjects, including pitches, press releases, talking points, guest columns, blog posts, award nominations, video scripts, and more.
• Fully manage and oversee the production of UMB’s annual ESG and Corporate Citizenship report.
• Manage communication/PR agency and other vendors, freelancers, and consultants as needed.
• Prioritize to remain focused on goals and strategic plan execution.
• Able to solve complex problems under tight deadlines.
• Plan and track complex projects while juggling competing priorities and adapting when needs change unexpectedly.
• Serve as a crisis communication team member on an as-needed basis.
• Analyze, measure and report on output to validate overall approach, assess value, capture ROI (when possible), etc.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communication, or Journalism
• 10+ years of media relations and other related experience
• 3+ years agency experience or experience managing a PR agency relationship
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• Outstanding project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and stay within project budgets
• Excellent media relations skills, with a proven track record of strategically and proactively securing placements
• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick and sound decisions under tight timelines in important situations
• Ability to effectively interact with and strategically counsel and advise all levels of associates, including C-suite executives
• Ability to work with media and the larger community
• Ability to multitask, work quickly and efficiently
• Ability to manage unforeseen projects as they arise
• Strong technology and computer skills.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) matching program
• Annual incentive pay
• Paid holidays
• Comprehensive company sponsored benefit plan including medical, dental, vision, and other insurance coverage
• Health savings, flexible spending, and dependent care accounts
• Adoption assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Fitness reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Associate wellbeing program
• Associate emergency fund
• Various associate banking benefits