Senior Director Corporate Communications (2024)

Job Description

Who we are:

Farm Credit Bank of Texas is a $37.3 billion wholesale bank that has been financing agriculture and rural America for over 100 years. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, we provide funding and services to rural lending associations in five states, and we are active in the nation's capital markets.

While you may not be familiar with our name, Farm Credit Bank of Texas plays a critical role in supporting the businesses that make it possible for America to maintain access to an affordable and safe food supply, an industry whichis one of the most innovative and evolving of our time. And while you help us deliver on our mission, we deliver on our commitment to you as a valued employee by providing competitive compensation, generous health and wellness benefits packages and an attractive hybrid workplace located along the bluffs of the Colorado River just minutes west of downtown Austin.

We seek out top talent in their fields, whether it be technology, finance, accounting, credit, human resources, or other administrative functions, and welcome you to join us in our mission to feed the world.

Position Description:

We are searching for a Sr. Director Corporate Communications who will be responsible for executing the bank's strategy for business-to-business communications with the objective of maintaining the bank's reputation, enhancing business strategies, and building bank culture. A primary focus of this position is on the communication of financial information to non-financial audiences. This position both contributes significant written content and also leads a small team of communications professionals in its support of communications targeted at external stakeholders (Farm Credit System partners, rating agencies, investors, and the bank's regulator), and internal stakeholders comprised of bank leadership and employees.

Day-to Day-Duties and Responsibilities:

Working in our hybrid work schedule you will:

This position leads the Corporate Communications department which is responsible for producing communications which support the bank's mission as a funding bank. Critical "core deliverables" include the bank's annual and quarterly financial reports and press releases, board of director publications, event and meeting communications, registration websites and apps, the bank's internet and intranet sites, the bank's brand strategy, and requested business-to-business marketing and communication deliverables.

The Senior Director is responsible for managing a small Corporate Communications department which both supports the core deliverables and supports internal communications for the bank's credit, finance, technology, and human resources departments.

The Senior Director must be a strong writer with significant finance experience. The Senior Director is responsible for personally developing, writing, and editing compelling and informative content that resonates as the voice of the business to its key stakeholders. This individual will engage closely with bank leadership and must be able to digest and understand the complex funding bank, finance, credit, and technology functions of the bank's business model and be capable of clearly and persuasively articulating key themes and insights through narratives that are easily understood by a non-technical stakeholder audience.

As the department leader, the Senior Director develops and manages an operating budget, develops and maintains appropriate policies and procedures, manages vendor relationships, represents the bank to public audiences and periodically reports to the board of directors and executive management.

What You Bring to the Team:

Our ideal candidate lives within a commutable distance from our office in Austin, Texas and appreciates the value of the hybrid work schedule, while recognizing that the leadership position requires regular onsite collaboration.

It is an important role that covers many skills. This position requires:

Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, English, corporate communications, business, finance, or a related field plus a minimum of ten (10) years in corporate communications and a minimum of five (5) years in a managerial role. A strong finance background, effective leadership abilities and excellent writing skills are required. Experience in investor relations and/or working in the commercial or wholesale banking, financial services, capital markets, finance or agriculture industries is strongly preferred.

Our benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer comprehensive, affordable, and competitive benefit options that are focused on health and wellness, financial security, and achieving a work-life balance:

  • Flexible and affordable health and wellness benefits, including medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental insurance, vision care, flexible spending accounts, and more.
  • 401(k) plan that includes an employer match (up to 4%) plus an additional employer contribution (up to 5%), both of which vest on the first day of employment
  • Employer paid long-term disability and life insurance
  • Generous vacation leave, sick leave, and up to eleven paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave program of up to six weeks
  • Up to five days per year to volunteer in local community organizations, services, or events
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities
  • Generous tuition-reimbursem*nt program
  • Physical fitness incentive plan
  • Employer matching gifts program
  • Modern hybrid work schedule combining in office and remote work locations.

Our culture:

In a world filled with unpredictable challenges, we invest in our people and ensure they have dependable careers with ample growth opportunities. As part of the larger Farm Credit System, we focus on building our culture around personal relationships and the ability to be connected to leadership through in-person conversations, regular town halls and employee engagement events. We are deeply committed to attracting and fostering a diverse workforce, development and career advancement and recognizing the hard work of individuals who contribute to our success.

Important note: We care about your hiring process and take it seriously. A real person will review your applications, meaning response timelines may vary. The interviewing process at Farm Credit Bank of Texas may include phone calls and emails, on-site interviews, and requests for portfolios or demonstrations of work. We cannot personally follow-up with each applicant, and we will do our best to create a professional, respectful, and thorough process for candidates with whom we identify as a potential fit.

A/EOE/M/F/D/V

Senior Director Corporate Communications (2024)

FAQs

What is a senior director of communications? ›

Position Summary

In partnership with key internal stakeholders, the Senior Director of Corporate Communications will build and drive a structured and measurable corporate communications program for the brand and it's most senior executives.

Is it hard to become a Communications Director? ›

Becoming a Communications Director without experience is highly challenging, as the role typically requires a robust portfolio of strategic communication skills, leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of media relations.

What is the role of a director of Corporate Communications? ›

Create communication strategies for employees, sponsors, and partners. Develop and execute communication plans for crises, issues, and emergencies. Maintain relations with clients as a company representative. Oversee and lead staff in the composition of emails and press releases.

What questions should I ask a Communications Director in an interview? ›

Can you give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to communication, and how did you handle it? How do you ensure that the organization's message is consistent across all communication channels? How do you prioritize and manage multiple communication projects and initiatives?

What is the highest salary for a communications director? ›

Communications director salaries typically range between $61,000 and $188,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for communications directors is $51.78 per hour. Communications director salary is impacted by location, education, and experience.

What are the best skills for a communications director? ›

Communications Director Qualifications / Skills:

Familiarity with social media platforms and social media marketing. Experience with search engine marketing, Google Analytics, and Google AdWords. Impeccable copywriting and copy editing abilities. Strong leadership track record.

Can you make 6 figures in communications? ›

Making six figures with a Communications degree is possible but jobs for communication majors typically require a combination of factors, including gaining valuable skills and experience, seeking higher-level positions, and excelling in your career.

Is corporate communications a good career? ›

Communications professionals have promising career paths in various sectors, including public relations, investor relations, internal communications, crisis management, social media management, and brand marketing.

Can you make a lot of money in communications? ›

According to Payscale, communication directors with 10 or more years of experience earned a median annual salary of about $89,000 in June 2022, and those with 20 or more years of experience had a median annual salary of about $99,000. Salaries for this role reached as high as about $137,000.

What does a VP of corporate communications do? ›

You coordinate events to promote or impact the company in a positive way within the broader community. Other responsibilities include creating newsletters and other printed items, determining website updates, content changes, and developing PR and marketing strategies.

What is the core function of corporate communications? ›

Corporate communication departments are tasked with engaging with the media and communicating with the public. Companies will often utilize press releases, news conferences, product launches, event materials, interviews, and more to generate news coverage.

What is the difference between a marketing director and a Communications Director? ›

While marketing professionals help develop the strategy and create a plan for reaching their target audience, communications professionals are tasked with developing the content and messaging to compel the target to act.

How do you ace an interview for a director position? ›

10 Tips to Prepare for an Executive-Level Interview
  1. Do your research. ...
  2. Study and prepare for executive-level interview questions. ...
  3. Ask questions. ...
  4. Prepare open-ended questions. ...
  5. Dress appropriately. ...
  6. Deliver your introduction with confidence. ...
  7. Talk about your past experience. ...
  8. Begin and end your interview professionally.
Jan 6, 2024

What questions should I ask a senior director? ›

Questions About What Work Is Like In Their Organization
  • How long have you been with your company?
  • What's the culture like?
  • What steps do you take to create a comfortable workplace?
  • How do you conduct roundtable discussions and encourage people to be creative?
  • What makes your organization stand out from the competition?

How do you pass a communication interview? ›

Use clear, concise answers – don't ramble. Don't use fillers when answering questions, such as “you know,” “uh,” or “like” Don't exaggerate and don't be negative about any thing in any way. Listen to what is being asked and answer appropriately.

What does a senior communications manager do? ›

Manage projects from inception to completion, including strategy development, work plans, timelines and project budgets. Develop, implement and manage integrated marketing, branding, media relations, and communication program research, messaging, public engagement tools, and social media outreach.

What does a senior communications officer do? ›

Help identify, develop and maintain key communication channels, adapting and improving them in line with external trends and business needs.

What does it mean to be a senior director? ›

Updated December 10, 2023. A senior director is a high-level management professional who oversees various operations in a company or organization. Working as a senior director can be a great career choice for business professionals, as they often earn high salaries and can perform advanced job duties.

What is the career path of a communications director? ›

Communications Director career paths

A communications director can move on to various roles, including director, development director, marketing director, and vice president. Some can become executive directors, while others become vice president of marketing and communications.

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