Our client’s story is one of service to customers, communities and employees. The company was founded in 1996, and is headquartered near Atlanta, GA, and was established to meet the needs of customers experiencing financial challenges. The company offers personalized loan solutions in personal, automobile, debt consolidation and merchant retail sales financing. The company has over 300 branches and more than 300,000 customers in 19 states. The success of our client is specifically attributable to the quality of its personnel and their commitment to customers.

The business transformation process has just begun at our client. While optimizing technology, people, and performance for growth, the company must define, monitor and refine the brand and culture. When an organization leads the culture, it controls the direction and legacy of the brand. Culturally, this company aspires to extend its brand persona to become the employer of choice, the lender of choice, and the partner of choice in the industry. At our client the culture is established by its leaders, and the Vice President of Communications, a newly created role, is critical to maintaining the culture through the transformation process and projected rapid growth.

 The Communications VP will lead, build and implement an enterprise-wide communications plan, including goals, strategies and programs, working with leaders across disciplines, to measurably improve employee engagement, overall understanding and commitment to annual strategic plans, organizational priorities, and the company's vision and mission. The new leader will create the future state of communications by leveraging a data-first approach that can support answering people, process, and product insight questions for both internal and external audiences. This position reports to the Chief Administrative Officer.

 THE FUTURE STATE OF COMMUNICATIONS

 All influence can be traced to communication. Communication shapes vision that drives the company’s success. But vision leaks. So, it must be reinforced and replenished. Communication must be constant. By managing a steady frequency of messaging through multiple channels, communication can change the “thoughtmosphere” of an organization. Just as an advertising media plan influences consumer purchasing, a cultural communication plan is designed to sell a corporate vision to all levels of an organization as well as inform the marketplace as a whole. This will drive and support the goal of being both the employer and lender of choice in the regions that our client operates.

One of the primary objectives throughout the life-cycle of the communication strategy will be identifying, celebrating, documenting, and simplifying the current best practices of the culture. In addition, as our client moves forward over the next few years to become known as an employer of choice, partner of choice, and lender of choice, a more structured change management communication strategy is needed. The Communications, VP will be the linchpin to this strategy.

 All great leaders create a vision, but that does not remove the need for managerial near-term leadership. A Strategic leader can balance both Visionary leadership and Managerial leadership. A key aspect of executing on the future communications strategy will be the ability to assemble and lead an effective communications team consisting of manager(s), media specialist(s), graphic designer(s), and writer/editor(s).

 We are looking for a visionary leader who can select, grow and manage a communications team through tremendous change and growth. This is an exciting time for our client, and we would like an opportunity to speak with you about how your future could align with theirs.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Create and execute strategy, vision and leadership for the Communication function
• Develop and execute our internal and external communications strategy to inform and align our employees and stakeholders at all levels and locations
• Define and execute appropriate strategies and communication plans to support the enterprise, human resources, executive and management teams
• Serve as a communications consultant to our senior leadership team
• Ensure efficiency of communications practices through developing structure and identifying appropriate vehicles for different audiences and initiatives
• Maintain a consistent voice for all internal, external and leadership communications
• Guide activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development
• Manage communications activities that promote, enhance and protect our internal and external brand and reputation
• Partner with business leaders to prepare strategic communications plans, executive communications and documents needed for internal and external announcements
• Track and measure results to ensure compliance with communications objectives
• Serve as liaison between communications and other key business functions
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure appropriate communications tools and methods are available
• Manage a communications team to support the development and execution of communications strategy
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis
• Establish and monitor department performance and development goals, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance reviews
• Manage risk relative to position

 QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications or a related field is required, an advanced degree is preferred
• Must be an excellent writer and editor
• 10-15% travel (domestic)
• Minimum eight years of experience in a senior communications management role—in house or agency
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing comprehensive strategic internal/external communications in hierarchical organizations to advance the culture
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports, peers and leaders
• Experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a team of communications specialists
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive
• Able to influence, motivate and collaborate across functions
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Confidence to gain the credibility and respect of senior leaders
• Must be eligible to work legally in the United States

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

All inquiries, referrals and resumes will be considered confidential. We look forward to assisting you.

PLEASE DIRECT ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:

RICK KEMP, VICE PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT OR

ZACK LUTZ, TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALIST

EMAIL: RKEMP@INGENIUMPLUS.COM

EMAIL: ZLUTZ@INGENIUMPLUS.COM

PHONE: 513.440.1671