Vice President, Corporate Communications

Company: Assurant
Location: Newark
Posted on: October 15, 2021

Job Description:

Vice President, Corporate Communications

The Vice President, Corporate Communications reports to the Senior Vice President, Enterprise Communications, serving as the global leader of Assurant’s enterprise corporate media relations efforts, while also overseeing line of business external communications team.  The leader will conduct regular, proactive business media (print, broadcast, online) outreach on behalf of CEO and C-Suite level executives and has oversight of annual media relations/content plan. 

In partnership with other Communication leadership, the VP, Corporate Communications serves as spokesperson when necessary and communication advisor for Assurant corporate-level strategic initiatives (i.e., new investments, M&A transactions, and Assurant Cares/ESG-related news).  Supports content development for www.assurant.com and social channels.  This can be a remote position.

Responsibilities:

• Focus on external communications and media relations

• Serves as contact for day-to-day Assurant corporate media inquiries

• Available when 24/7 support is required, in crisis situations to ensure effective external communication counsel and support for Assurant and its senior leaders

• Develops the media relations and external communication strategy and plans for Assurant and corporate-led initiatives, including other key investments, M&A transactions, and ESG-related news

• Works closely with the investor relations team to oversee the creation of financial communications, particularly investor facing communications

• Oversees and integrates corporate communications strategy with line-of-business (LOB) strategy and planning

• Cultivates relationships with writers, editors and/or producers at targeted major media and key industry trade outlets to generate and participate in stories related to Assurant

• Organizes op-eds and bylines related to global and key corporate issues and initiatives

• Exercises independent judgment in selection and pursuit of media opportunities and engagements

• Identifies and develops appropriate agency and third-party relationships and partnerships to help Assurant create an effective communication infrastructure and achieve desired outcomes that enhance the reputation of the company and its leadership.

• Conceives, writes, schedules distribution, and facilitates approval of various corporate and financial news releases, as well as sequencing and approval of business-level news releases and announcements to maximize strategic impact for Assurant

• Responsible for writing key messaging and certain executive presentations in support of financial and strategic corporate initiatives, including but not limited to quarterly earnings announcements, Investor Days and other corporate-led initiatives

• Oversees development of company’s Annual Report

• Drafts, and /or edits primary communication materials including financial or enterprise-related news releases, annual report, message panels, talking points, blogs, and social media posts across various channels to advance and reinforce Assurant’s strategy among key external stakeholders

• Reviews and facilitates approval of all business-level news releases, bylines, white papers, and other public information to ensure adherence to AP Style and company policies and procedures

• Tracks, analyzes, and measures penetration of messaging in external media on a quarterly basis and reports effectiveness to senior leadership

• Acts as senior leader and communications resource in crisis and issues management; drafting statements; managing media inquiries

• Leads and develops other team members across global locations

• Coordinates and organizes global external communications team efforts as well as managing global PR firm efforts. Leads strategy and execution of LOB communications team leads for Mobile, Auto and Renters (not International)

• Maintains budget oversight for key agency relationships. Works in conjunction with International Communications lead to manage the overall budget

• Oversees budget management of media monitoring, tracking tools and related distribution service (s), i.e., BusinessWire

• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors' degree

• 10-15 years of related work experience with media relations track-record (either agency or corporate – some corporate experience preferred)

• Previous executive level experience, AVP level and above

• Must demonstrate successful media relationships/interaction with high-level business and broadcast media

• Must have previous direct C-Suite and/or CEO direct interaction

• Has handled crisis and issues management at a corporate level

• Previous experience managing or coordinating with global team members

• Experience working with or leading an outside PR agency relationship

• P&L management, financial and budget understanding

• Higher level media relations skills—contacts and communications with national level reporters

• Experience leading and managing teams

• Understanding of B2B business model

• Ability to communicate effectively with C-level Executives

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to deliver presentations effectively

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors' degree with concentration in public relations, communications, journalism or marketing preferred

• Knowledge of financial services, insurance industry and technology with ability to comprehend and express complex ideas in easy-to-understand communication materials for key stakeholders

• Ability to maintain calm demeanor and positive attitude amid competing demands and tight deadlines; ability to work independently and as part of a larger, collaborative team to accomplish defined goals and timelines

Assurant (NYSE: AIZ) is a global provider of risk management solutions, protecting where consumers live and the goods they buy. A Fortune 500 company, Assurant focuses on the housing and lifestyle markets, and is among the market leaders in mobile device protection, extended service contracts, vehicle protection, renter’s insurance, lender-placed homeowner’s insurance, and mortgage valuation and field services. With approximately $41 billion in total assets and $8 billion in annualized revenue, Assurant is in 21 countries and operates across North America, Latin America, Europe and with an emerging footprint in Asia.  

For more information, please visit https://www.assurant.com/

Keywords: Assurant, Newark , Vice President, Corporate Communications, Other , Newark, New Jersey