Director, Public Relations and Community Engagement

Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Director, Public Relations and Community Engagement leads an integrated public relations, communications, and community engagement strategy designed to enhance the OnPoint brand in all its markets.

This leader will align communications and community engagement with the Credit Union's Strategic Plan, helping the organization achieve its long-term objectives.

This position will lead the Credit Union's public relations efforts, focusing on securing earned media coverage from local and trade media outlets, building media relationships, and helping manage communication issues.

Additionally, this position will integrate internal communications, partnerships, events, sponsorships, and corporate philanthropy into a cohesive community engagement approach.

Finally, this position will be the media spokesperson when the Chief Marketing Officer is unavailable.

Essential Functions

Managing media relations

Working with the Credit Union's public relations agency, this position will oversee a robust public relations program that enhances the OnPoint brand, builds a strong and resilient OnPoint reputation and builds trust with key audiences.

The program includes planning, measurement and reporting, media relations and proactive media engagement, PR writing, spokesperson training and a full spectrum of public relations tactics.

This position will also serve as a spokesperson as required, assist in crisis communications and issues management.

Developing internal communication strategies

Working with internal stakeholders and the Internal Communications Manager, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment across all departments.

Communicating with stakeholders

Providing status reports on community engagement, media relations, and corporate philanthropy to internal and external stakeholders.

Creating communications strategies

Developing and implementing strategies that align with broader marketing strategies designed to help the Credit Union achieve its long-term objectives.

This position will develop internal stakeholder relationships to identify subject matter experts as spokespeople. This will also include training and preparation for spokespeople to engage with media on specific topics for earned media opportunities.

Producing content

Researching and writing engaging and high-quality news releases, statements, articles, and briefings. Translating complex concepts into clear, concise, and reader-friendly copy.

Leading community engagement and partnership efforts

Proposing, scheduling, and implementing community-based programs, partnerships, events, sponsorships, and other community-focused initiatives.

Coordinating with multiple members of staff and partner organizations. Oversee strategic partnerships with organizations such as LiveNation, OSAA, PSU, OSU, U of O, ensuring sponsorship benefits are upheld.

Implement and maintain additional strategic partnerships as they arise.

Collaborating with marketing and other teams

Coordinates activities with departments by developing communication strategies for events and services, preparing schedules and work plans, managing recognition programs, participating in special events, and attending meetings.

Working with other team members, track and communicate program outcomes to stakeholders, including employees, executives, community, nonprofit partners, and members.

Collaborate with the Marketing Leadership Team to prepare cross-functional, integrated marketing-communication campaigns across departments.

This includes closely integrating communications and community engagement initiatives with other areas of marketing (e.g.

digital marketing, branding, member communications, social media, partnerships, etc.).

Managing a Team

Manages a community engagement team, communications, and public relations specialists responsible for internal communications, community involvement in events and sponsorships, and media relationships and partnerships.

Incorporate credit union policies and procedures to ensure all communication and community engagement activities conform to applicable regulatory and credit union-mandated standards.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster and maintain relationships at all levels inside and out of the organization.
• Administration and Management : Principles and processes involved in business and

organizational planning, coordination, and execution. This includes strategic planning, resource allocation, manpower modeling, leadership techniques, and production methods.

Communications and Media : Media production, communication, and dissemination

techniques and methods, including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Marketing and Public Relations : Principles and methods involving promoting and selling services; journalism principles, practices and techniques for newspaper and broadcast reporting;

and managing the flow of communications from an organization to its publics.

• Media Relations : Processes, techniques, and strategies for obtaining media coverage.
• Ability to Supervise : Personnel motivation, interviewing, hiring, oversight, evaluation and discipline.
• English Language : The structure and content of the English language, including the

meaning of words and grammar. Bi-lingual English / Spanish is desired

• Understand and exemplify OnPoint's commitment to corporate leadership, particularly the core value of service.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and an ability to communicate with people at all levels inside and outside of the organization.
• Ability to organize and budget overlapping projects and initiatives.
• Close attention to detail and documentation is essential. Thrives in managing multiple projects with tight deadlines and high expectations.

Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, or a similar field of study is required.

An advanced degree is preferred.

• 8+ years of previous experience in community relations, strategic communications, and / or public relations is required.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson is required.
• 5 years leading a communications team.
• Experience with DEI, ESG, and foundation work is preferred.
• Proven ability to understand and apply brand guidelines across multiple communication channels.
• Proficiency in Adobe Cloud and Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience within a financial institution with product knowledge and development experience is preferable.
• Ability and willingness to occasionally work special events outside of normal business hours within Oregon and SW Washington.
• Light physical exertion with the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to travel to various work locations and events.

At OnPoint, we believe a workplace that reflects the richness of the world fosters a welcoming and empowering environment for everyone.

We're committed to equity and inclusion, and consider all qualified applicants embracing every race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, and your unique background.

We encourage you to apply if you're passionate about this opportunity and have the core qualifications. Your unique experiences and skills are what make you a strong candidate.

Don't let imposter syndrome hold you back! Our recruitment process is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all. If you need any accommodations during the application or interview stage, please let us know.

We're dedicated to providing what's necessary to ensure a fair and inclusive experience.

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