Senior Communications Lead - Media Relations

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States with assets of $561 billion as of Dec. 30, 2023. With a coast-to-coast presence, PNC is organized around its customers and communities for building strong relationships and providing local delivery of: retail banking, including residential mortgage; corporate and institutional banking; and asset management.

We currently are seeking a Communications Lead Senior to join our Corporate Marketing and Communications team in providing external communications and media relations support for our Asset Management Group (AMG) chief investment officer, chief investment strategist, and other investment professionals, as well as PNC’s Economist team.

PNC Asset Management Group is a relationship-based provider of investment, planning, banking and fiduciary services for wealthy individuals and their families, as well as institutions. PNC's Economists provide analysis and forecasts of national, regional and global economic and financial conditions for a variety of uses and publications.

The Communications Lead Senior advises AMG Investment Office leadership and PNC’s Economists on critical communications strategies, tactics, trends and needs. As a member of the Corporate Marketing and Communications team — consisting of approximately 300 professionals — this individual plays a hands-on role in the design and execution of an integrated strategic communications program that advances the reputation of the business and its experts, broadens awareness about PNC’s investment and economic expertise, and increases the visibility of its thought leaders. This individual will also provide social media support to the appropriate leaders and partner with marketing, internal communications and other functional areas of the bank to execute a holistic, 360-degree communications strategy.

What You'll Do:

• Design and manage a robust and holistic communications program to position AMG investment leaders and professionals, and PNC’s Economists as industry leaders
• Provide proactive communications counsel to AMG leadership — with a focus on the Investment Office — and PNC’s Economists
• Generate awareness of the supported Subject Matter Experts and their respective expertise among national, local and trade media
• Serve as the primary contact for top-tier media, drafting and publishing press releases and issuing proactive announcements; sharing SME commentary; handling media inquiries; building relationships with key reporters, editors, producers and other influencers; and leading ongoing, long-term campaigns
• Provide strategic social media counsel on content that aligns with and advances business objectives and SME awareness
• Coordinate with and provide strategic communications advice to the MarCom content team for PNC-owned and paid content
• Collaborate with Regional Communications leads on local and in-market media opportunities that support the business and enhance the profiles of the supported leaders
• Track, monitor, leverage and react to external industry developments in a manner that appropriately reflects the strategic communications plan
• Develop and enhance media monitoring metrics and analytics that will be used to inform key stakeholders and future communications initiatives
• Support crisis/reactive communications as needed, driving customer, media and other stakeholder communications as required
• Promote a high-performance culture built on teamwork, trust and a commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and learning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, journalism or communications-related field
• 7-10+ years of experience in corporate communications or public relations with financial industry experience highly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in the development of communications strategies in support of reputation, media relations, stakeholder relationship-building and crisis/issue management
• Strong, established media contacts with economic and investment reporters, editors, producers and influencers
• Experience with digital content creation and the strategic use of social media
• Strong writer and editor; excellent story telling capability and ability to develop content that resonates across multiple external communications platforms
• Comfort with and ability to build trust, rapport and counsel-like relationships with executives at all levels of the bank
• Strong collaboration skills with ability to work across a large, complex and matrixed organization to generate business outcomes
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality results

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 trusted advisor to 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 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.