Chief Communications Officer

Responsibilities

• Serves as the principal communications advisor to the CEO and executive leadership, and NBU leadership team on matters affecting the organization, its customers, employees, community, reputation, and public understanding.
• Establishes the vision, direction, and enterprise-wide framework for NBU’s internal and external communications.
• Leads an integrated communications function encompassing internal communications, external communications, executive communications, media relations, social media, digital communications, video, creative content, communications platforms, and brand management.
• Develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies that strengthen NBU’s reputation, enhance stakeholder understanding, and support organizational priorities.
• Oversees NBU’s enterprise brand and ensures consistent, credible, and compelling representation across communications channels, platforms, and stakeholder experiences.
• Provides executive communications counsel and oversees the development of speeches, presentations, talking points, executive messaging, and other leadership communications.
• Oversees media relations and serves as a senior organizational resource for media engagement, news coverage, emerging issues, and matters that may affect NBU or the communities it serves.
• Leads communications related to critical services, significant projects, operational issues, emergencies, and other high-impact events.
• Directs crisis and issues communications, ensuring NBU is prepared to communicate rapidly, transparently, and effectively during emerging or critical situations.
• Oversees the development and delivery of content across NBU’s communications ecosystem, including websites, social media, video, digital platforms, print materials, presentations, public service announcements, and other channels.

Requirements

• Degree/Diploma Obtained: Bachelors
• Work Experience Time Frame: Five Years or More
• Field of Study: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Other: Nine plus years’ experience with a minimum of three years’ supervisory experience may substitute for Bachelor’s degree. Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following communications fields: internal and/or external communications, media relations, public speaking, marketing, strategic communications, public relations, journalism, or mass communications.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public affairs, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant executive-level experience leading enterprise communications, corporate affairs, public affairs, external relations, government relations, community engagement, or related functions.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated communications and external relations strategies in a complex organization.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, media relations, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of public-sector leadership, municipal government, regulated utilities, or similarly complex and highly visible organizations.

Preferred

• IABC's Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification, PRSA's Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or, other similar professional accreditation is desirable but not required.