Communications Manager

Description

Do you want to work on a high energy corporate communications team adapting to the fast-changing needs of our customers and colleagues?  Do you want to challenge the status quo and have the space to implement and test your creative ideas?  Citizens is looking for a Communications Manager, supporting our Enterprise Technology & Security (ETS) organization, to support the bank’s efforts to effectively manage and respond to crises, ensuring timely, transparent, and consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders. 

This role requires a proactive communicator with a strong understanding of the financial services industry, exceptional writing skills, and the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure. The Communications Manager, based at our corporate campus in Johnston, RI, will be skilled at managing sensitive situations while protecting the bank’s reputation and maintaining stakeholder trust.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Incident Response Support:
   • Assist in developing and executing incident communication plans in response to incidents that may impact the bank’s reputation, operations, or stakeholders.
   • Draft and distribute critical communications, including press releases, internal communications, FAQs, and stakeholder updates.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, brand, social and content, legal, risk, compliance, operations, and the lines of business to ensure accurate and cohesive messaging.
   • Support the lines of business to deliver timely updates to colleagues, reinforcing trust and transparency during crises.
   • Ensure alignment between internal and external messaging to maintain credibility and consistency.
   • Partner with internal communications teams that support the lines of business to deliver timely updates to colleagues, reinforcing trust and transparency during crises.
   • Ensure alignment between internal and external messaging to maintain credibility and consistency.
2. Preparedness and Planning:
   • Contribute to the development and maintenance of the bank’s incident communication playbooks, ensuring they are up-to-date and aligned with industry best practices.
   • Attend and participate in incident simulation (tabletop) exercises to prepare key leaders and teams for potential scenarios.
   • Monitor emerging risks and potential crises, providing recommendations for proactive communication strategies.
3. Media and Stakeholder Management:
   • Handle media inquiries during crises and ensure accurate and consistent messaging.
   • Support communication with key stakeholders, including colleagues, customers, regulators, and investors, during high-stakes situations.
4. Other ETS Internal Communications Responsibilities:

Manage communications plans and programs for other ETS priorities in support of organizational goals. 

Partner closely with ETS leaders and key stakeholders to drive the development and ongoing management of ETS communications plans and strategies, using a variety of integrated channels and tactics.

Identify key metrics and measurement plan to ensure communication activities are efficient, effective and scalable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in incident communications, corporate communications, or public relations, preferably within the financial services or regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of the banking industry, including regulatory requirements and reputational risk factors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messaging.
• Experience managing communication during high-pressure situations with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Key Competencies:

• Calm and composed under pressure
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Attention to detail and a focus on accuracy
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across diverse teams

Why Join Us?
As a Communications Manager at Citizens, you will play a critical role in safeguarding our reputation and maintaining trust with our stakeholders. You’ll work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, collaborating with leaders and teams across the bank to respond effectively to challenges and ensure clear, consistent communication during pivotal moments.

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: M-F

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.