AVP, Corporate Communications - CEO & Association

Responsibilities

• Serves as a trusted communications counselor to the CEO, shaping executive positioning, visibility and thought leadership across media, industry, employee, member and other high-profile engagements.
• Lead Association-wide integrated communications strategies and campaigns around the company’s most important business, brand and reputational priorities, connecting earned media, owned channels, executive communications, social and internal communications
• Bring deep consumer brand communications expertise, translating business strategy, consumer insights and cultural trends into relevant, compelling stories that strengthen brand preference, reputation and engagement.
• Set and lead Association media strategy, including proactive storytelling, national and business media engagement, major announcements, issues management and reputation-defining moments.
• Lead communications around complex, high-visibility issues, providing senior leaders with sound judgment, scenario planning and clear recommendations in fast-moving or reputationally sensitive environments.
• Operate as both a strategist and storyteller, identifying the communications opportunity behind business priorities and building the narrative, audience strategy, channel approach and activation plan required to bring it to life.
• Bring a strong external orientation, with an understanding of the media and cultural landscape and the ability to identify emerging issues, opportunities and conversations that should inform Association communications strategy.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; OR 4 years of relevant education and/or experience.
• 10 years of progressive corporate communications and consumer PR experience providing external and internal communications counsel to senior management and leading major executive, enterprise or institutional communications programs.
• 6 years of people leadership experience building, managing and/or developing high-performing teams.
• Experience directly supporting executive communications, including strategic messaging, speechwriting, executive preparation, thought leadership and high-visibility engagements.
• Experience shaping enterprise or institutional narratives that connect organizational purpose, structure, strategy, leadership priorities and stakeholder value.
• Experience collaborating with senior stakeholders across a complex, matrixed organization, influencing decisions and driving work to achieve strategic goals.
• Executive-level business and governance acumen, with the ability to quickly understand business operations, enterprise strategy, organizational structure, stakeholder expectations, industry practices and emerging trends.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to capture an executive's authentic voice, simplify complexity and tailor communications for employees, members and external stakeholders.
• Executive presence, discretion and sound judgment, with the confidence to provide candid counsel and operate effectively in confidential, fast-moving or high-pressure situations.
• Innovative, creative and strategic thinking, with a collaborative approach to leadership, team development and cross-functional partnership.

Preferred

• Significant experience serving as the primary communications advisor to a CEO or enterprise C-suite executive while also shaping an institution-wide or Association narrative.
• 15+ years of progressive corporate communications and consumer PR experience providing external and internal communications counsel to senior management and leading major executive, enterprise or institutional communications programs.
• Demonstrated success building an executive thought leadership platform and an institutional storytelling strategy that advance organizational purpose, stakeholder value and reputation.
• Experience developing communications for governance matters, organizational transformation, enterprise milestones or other Association-level priorities.
• Experience integrating CEO and Association communications across media relations, employee communications, social media, public affairs, brand, legal, risk, governance and other enterprise partners.
• US military experience through military service or a military spouse/domestic partner.

Benefits

• Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.