Communications Strategist - Corporate Reputation at Northwestern Mutual

Summary:

The communications strategist – corporate reputation is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing communication strategies that protect and strengthen the Northwestern Mutual brand as part of the company’s Corporate Reputation communications team.

The communications strategist creates and implements communications plans that serve to protect the company’s reputation, conducts insightful research audits, monitors the competitive landscape, and develops insights-based reporting tools that demonstrate progress against key reputation metrics. This individual works with internal partners across Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, Campus Events and Experiences, Marketing, Social Media, Public Relations, Internal Communications and other teams to deliver appropriate communications responses across various audiences (clients, financial representatives, corporate employees, etc.) consistently and effectively.

This role reports to the Sr. Director, Corporate Reputation as part of the company’s Strategic Communications team.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports the Senior Director in the development, socialization and implementation of strategic communications plans that support reputation management scenarios pertaining to Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion or emerging social issues.

• Leads the strategic management of third-party research partners to deliver research and insights to business stakeholders across the company, meeting regularly with the partner to understand the external environment and to identify preparedness efforts for the company.

• Works collaboratively with members of the Marketing, Social Media, Public Relations and Internal Communications teams to identify potential reputation issues and create recommended responses or other communications materials.

• Proactively stays apprised of programs, projects and campaigns across these areas as a dedicated team liaison, and shares formal updates with Corporate Reputation team members to enhance team business acumen.

• Creates and implements PR strategies for the company’s multi-year construction project in downtown Milwaukee, working with the PR agency to draft media strategies and pitches outlining the communications objectives, strategies, tactics, key messages and timelines.

• Supports the message training of spokespeople in advance of media opportunities. Track, recap and merchandise results to internal stakeholders including the Campus Events and Experiences team.

• Conducts clear, thorough and insightful research audits using internal and external tools on a variety of subjects that support the company’s reputation.

• Regularly and carefully monitors the news landscape for relevant news cycles, key industry articles and competitive insights and brings these findings forward in a consistent format that is useful across internal teams. Pulls news articles quickly when news breaks to share with key partners.

• Partners with team members to identify, develop and maintain monthly, quarterly and annual tracking and reporting tools that demonstrate progress against key reputation metrics. Creates reports that showcase Corporate Reputation team successes and bring examples to life in order to merchandise the collective team’s results.

• Maintains and evolves team processes and procedures playbook to ensure a consistent and efficient approach across team members. Drives team efficiencies by preparing agendas, status documents and meeting notes in support of regular meetings. Leads the team’s overall organization efforts to maintain files, documentation and archives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business or Political Science or related field.

• A minimum 6 years of experience in public relations, internal communication, marketing or related communication field with at least some experience in PR and media relations.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to absorb information and convert to an understandable and visually appealing format. Writing samples will be requested.

• Proven ability to build positive, collaborative relationships across a diverse set of functions.

• Possesses a high degree of organization, project management skills and impeccable attention to detail. 

• Sound problem identification, judgment, resolution and decision-making skills often in ambiguous situations. Works efficiently under pressure.

#LI-Hybrid

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment. At Northwestern Mutual, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Please note that the salary range listed in the posting is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Please click here for additiona l information relating to location-based pay structures.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

FIND YOUR FUTURE

We’re excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups