Senior Communications Lead – Issues Management and Corporate Reputation

Position Overview

At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued, and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success.

We are seeking a Senior Communications Lead to help prepare for, monitor, and manage a wide variety of issues, including those that pose reputational risk, and proactively promote and amplify the company’s story to key stakeholders. The right candidate will have hands-on experience managing sensitive issues for a publicly-traded company, including working directly with the press, and a broad understanding of the business, public policy, and media landscapes today.

This individual will report to the Communications Director, Issues Management and Corporate Reputation, and collaborate closely with partners across the marketing and communications team and throughout the company.

This position is primarily based in a PNC location. Responsibilities require time in the office or in the field on a regular basis. Some responsibilities may be performed remotely, at manager’s discretion.

What You’ll Do

• Monitor, identify, and develop plans related to the company’s position on key issues, including those that could pose reputational risk, working closely with teams across the lines of business, legal, government relations, corporate responsibility, social media, and more.
• Lead the company’s communications response to a wide variety of issues, events, and crises as they unfold, including drafting talking points and statements, and engaging directly with the media.
• Partner closely with local and federal government relations teams to stay informed on key policy issues that impact our business and develop messaging and other communications that highlight the company’s business activities, community impact, and issue positions.
• Work with subject matter experts to gain a 360-degree understanding of emerging issues and provide strategic counsel to leaders on how the company should respond.
• Serve as the primary contact for all inbound corporate media inquiries, engaging members of the external and regional communications teams to coordinate a timely and effective response.
• Support the development and execution of external comms for other corporate initiatives and announcements, as needed.

Who You Are

• You have 8+ years of experience supporting external corporate communications and/or public relations, including experience at a publicly-traded company. Financial sector experience and/or experience working in journalism a plus.
• You are experienced and comfortable working with reporters and editors, both on and off the record.
• You are a strong writer, able to quickly synthesize large amounts of complex information into clear and concise messaging.
• You are an independent and resourceful problem solver, taking the initiative to research an issue and develop suggested responses before anyone asks.
• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are calm and composed in a crisis.
• You are comfortable engaging with, and providing counsel to, colleagues at all levels of the company, including senior leadership.
• You want to join a team of kind, creative, and talented individuals who work hard and have fun.

Job Description

• Establishes the strategic direction and oversees initiatives and materials.
• Develops communication strategies; plans, researches, and develops content for complex communications initiatives.
• Identifies issues and opportunities, serves as a trusted advisor to the organization on all aspects of communication, and engages other parts of the organization to ensure strategic alignment, clarity, and accuracy of message.
• Coordinates final review and approval before internal or external communications are released.
• Leads project teams, coaches, influences outcomes, and evaluates success as appropriate.
• Consults and advises on communications strategies based on data-driven insights.

PNC Employees

PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be:

Customer Focused – Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.

Managing Risk – Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Competencies

• Copywriting and Editing: Knowledge of a variety of formats, styles, and techniques for publishing materials; ability to develop and review these materials to promote business-related activities.
• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Understanding of the issues related to the decision-making process; ability to analyze situations fully and accurately and reach productive decisions.
• Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Influencing: Knowledge of effective influencing tactics and strategies; ability to impact decisions within and outside own organization.
• Media Channel Management: Knowledge of different media channels (e.g., TV, radio, press, etc.); ability to evaluate and select the most preferable media outlets to ensure information is effectively delivered to target audiences.
• Organizational Communications: Knowledge of and ability to utilize the means, tools, techniques, and media to communicate information about the organization internally and externally.
• Planning: Tactical, Strategic: Ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years), and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.

Work Experience

Roles at this level typically require a university/college degree. Higher level education such as a Masters degree, PhD, or certifications is desirable. Industry relevant experience is typically 8+ years. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job-specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.

Education

Bachelors

Additional Job Description

Benefits

PNC offers employees a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature); dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short- and long-term disability protection; maternity and parental leave; paid holidays, vacation days, and occasional absence time; 401(k), pension, and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption assistance; educational assistance, and a robust wellness program with financial incentives. To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for part-time employees, visit pncbenefits.com > New to PNC.

Disability Accommodations Statement

If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at [email protected]. Please include “accommodation request” in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses. Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and select Option 4: Recruiting for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

At PNC, we foster an inclusive and accessible workplace. We provide reasonable accommodations to employment applicants and qualified individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of their positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

California Residents

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