Vice President, Corporate Communications

Ascensus powers the savings system across America for people saving for retirement, education and expenses for those living with a disability. For over 40 years, we’ve been guided by our noble purpose: to help more savers save more. Our 5000+ associates, serve nearly 16M savers with >$862B total assets under administration, administer 260,000+ retirement plans and support 37 states and the District of Columbia with their government savings plan needs.

The Vice President, Corporate Communications is a key commercial leader, elevating Ascensus’ reputation with current and prospective associates, as well as those who influence and make decisions about critical savings goals: individual savers, asset and wealth managers, financial intermediaries, business owners, HR professionals, and government officials. We seek a trailblazing communications executive with top-tier background in financial services and/or financial technology communications.

This role requires a strategic thinker who has experience leading traditional media, social media, and internal communications, integrating all three into a cohesive and powerful communications system that drives measurable business value. The ideal candidate will have established relationships with top-tier traditional media and industry-specific publications, as well as experience influencing alternative channels (review sites, Reddit, influencers, industry blogs, etc.). The candidate should also have experience working side-by-side with CEOs and other executives to articulate and promote executive platforms through all communications channels, including high-profile speaking engagements. The candidate should have experience in Government Relations, influencing decision-makers in D.C. through executive and corporate communications, and leading internal communications for a rapidly growing and transforming company.

This role reports to Ascensus’ Chief Marketing Officer and will be part of the Marketing, Analytics & UX leadership team.

There is only 1 position. Location preference is hybrid Dresher, PA or Newton, MA locations. However, will consider out of state candidates for remote.

Section 2: Job Functions, Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive corporate communications and measurement plan that aligns with business objectives and demonstrates reputational and commercial impact.
• Partner with C-suite and line of business leaders to inform industry-leading perspectives, platforms, and stories to be promoted internally and externally.
• Lead and innovate internal communications efforts to engage associates during company growth and transformation.
• Manage CEO and other C-suite communications platforms, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with reporters at top-tier and industry-specific publications.
• Elevate the CEO's platform through high-profile speaking engagements and media appearances.
• Accelerate utilization of social media (corporate, executive, associates) to enhance company reputation, improve commercial outcomes, and influence saving behaviors.
• Integrate traditional media, social media, and internal communications into a cohesive communications ecosystem.
• Monitor and influence new communications channels such as Reddit, review sites, and Substack to manage company reputation.
• Collaborate with Government Relations teams to influence decision-makers in D.C. through executive and corporate communications.
• Lead with our Core Values of People Matter, Quality First and Integrity Always®.
• Responsible for protecting, securing, and proper handling of all confidential data held by Ascensus to ensure against unauthorized access, improper transmission, and/or unapproved disclosure of information that could result in harm to Ascensus or our clients.
• At Ascensus we are guided by our Core Values of People Matter, Quality First and Integrity Always®. They inspire us every day to prioritize an environment of respect for those we serve and one another and should be visible in your actions on a day-to-day.

Supervision  

• Inspire and lead a team of communications professionals with a client-obsessed and continuous improvement mindset.

Section 3:  Experience, Skills, Knowledge Requirements

• Proven executive experience leading corporate communications and communications professionals in financial services and/or financial technology sectors.
• Ability to partner across organizational verticals, including proven success influencing others and working successfully in a highly collaborative team-oriented environment.
• Superior communication skills – written and verbal.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating on and managing communications platforms with and for C-suite executives.
• Executive media training and presentation delivery training experience.
• Strong ties to reporters at top-tier and industry-specific publications.
• Expertise in social media strategy and execution.
• Experience in Government Relations and influencing decision-makers in D.C.
• Experience in leading internal communications and engaging employees.
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop innovative communication strategies.
• Strong leadership and team management skills that foster teamwork, inclusivity, collaboration, and positivity while cultivating accountability and ownership.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop and manage high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of new communications channels and how to leverage them for reputation management.
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to make decisions in challenging or ambiguous circumstances and comfort in shifting gears in response to emerging priorities.
• Effective decision-making, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Strong commitment to personal development and continuous learning.
• Minimum 15 years of corporate communications experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

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