Strategic Communications

JOB DESCRIPTION

Strategic Communications Specialist

I. JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for leading and executing communications initiatives and crafting engaging content across various channels to support business objectives and effectively communicate the brand message. Develops and oversees strategic messaging to enhance brand visibility and strengthen relationships with key audiences. Manages project lifecycles for initiatives including annual report, shareholder meeting, and marketing and communication campaigns. Plans, researches, produces, publishes, and promotes content through the lens of customer-centric storytelling. Collaborates with internal teams and external parties as a key communications and public relations strategist and project manager, collaborating on and creating content and messaging. Operates as a brand steward, ensuring consistency in the brand’s voice and tone, storytelling, and identity across the entire spectrum of marketing and communications. Assists the Marketing Director with all aspects of marketing the Bank.      

II. JOB DUTIES:

• Responsible for crafting clear and concise messages that effectively communicate Dart Bank's value proposition and key product/service features.
• Develops and manages multi-channel communications strategies, incorporating digital content, executive messaging, and media relations.
• Writes, edits, reviews, and ensures consistency of messaging across multiple platforms, including website content, lender bios, annual report, blog posts, email campaigns, press releases, advertisements, and brochures, as well as for internal communication.
• Reviews and edits communications prior to dissemination for accuracy, clarity, and tone of voice.
• Develops and implements communication plans and strategies, including distributing messages, through various channels.
• Proactively identifies engaging stories and messages connected to strategic goals.
• Identifies PR opportunities and creates/distributes PR materials.
• Builds and maintains relationships with members of the media.
• Leads corporate storytelling efforts, ensuring alignment between internal and external messaging.
• Partners with business units on content ideas and to understand buyer personas, pain points, and how Dart Bank solutions solve pain points.
• Writes and applies for industry awards and recognition.
• Ensures all copy is accurate, adheres to brand guidelines and regulatory guidelines, and maintains a consistent tone across different channels.
• Develops thought leadership content including speeches, op-eds, and industry event presentations.
• Contributes to the development and maintenance of content guidance documents, including the style guide, image guidelines, audience personas, and others as needed.
• Stays up to date with current and emerging communication trends and best practices to identify opportunities for innovation. 
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure message accuracy. 
• Ensures content is reviewed and approved in a timely and efficient manner consistent with our processes.
• Monitors performance of communication tactics and analyzes data to increase engagement. Identifies opportunities to increase Bank’s presence and presents communication ideas to management. Provides detailed reporting about communication campaigns and tactics.
• Maintains relationships with media.
• Compiles monthly marketing report and annual scorecard.
• Engage with the marketing team on a regular basis to brainstorm ideas for new and innovative marketing and communication campaigns.
• Performs various marketing duties as assigned.
• Provide support in handling administrative details and duties as needed, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Proofreads marketing materials for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand guidelines
• Creates engaging and relevant thought leadership content for senior leadership,
• Responds to and engages with social media responses
• Enhances corporate visibility through executive communications and PR strategies.
• Coordinates company’s participation in conferences, industry events, and speaking opportunities for senior leaders.
• Develop key internal communication.
• Adheres to all Federal and State laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act.
• Other duties as assigned.
   

III. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Mobility
• Use of hands
• Vision
• Communicate verbally

IV. JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered.

Skills and Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of similar or related experience. Proven track record in strategic communications, public relations, media engagement, executive communications, and brand management. Financial services industry experience preferred. A minimum of three years in digital content strategy and development. Well-versed in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook). Proficient in WordPress or other content management system. Basic knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat preferred. Ability to quickly learn. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are necessary. Resourceful, well organized, highly dependable, efficient, and detail oriented.

VI. SUPERVISED BY:

Marketing Director

VII. SUPERVISES:

None

Dart Bank is a community bank, serving our community since 1925.  We specialize in providing financial services, but we are passionate about serving the community and building real relationships with people.  Dart Bank provides innovative financial services for both personal and business banking, consumer and mortgage loans, commercial loans and lines of credit, merchant credit card processing, investment services and more. Our array of products and services and our longstanding history within our communities shows we care about what matters most for our customers and we are there for them for the most important times in their lives.  Dart Bank. For What Matters Most.

 We offer:

Medical Benefits
Dental
Vision
401(K) Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Paid vacation & sick time
Flexible scheduling
Employee Assistance Program
Dart Bank University

At Dart Bank you can expect to be surrounded by a team that will support you and invest in your growth in a quick-paced work environment where we deliver exceptional customer service.  We are a local business that cares about our employees and our community.

Dart Bank is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, maintaining a diverse workforce, and prohibiting all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. 

All employment decisions, policies, and practices, in terms of the recruitment process and other conditions and privileges of employment, will comply with applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws.  The Company seeks, employs, promotes, and compensates qualified individuals based on ability, as demonstrated by performance and other legitimate non-discriminatory factors, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex (including sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state (in Michigan: marital status, familial status, height, weight, and misdemeanor arrest record), or local law (individually and collectively, “Protected Class”).