Sr. Director, Corporate Communications (External)

Description

The Sr. Director, Corporate Communications (External), will lead First Tech's external communications strategy. This role oversees public relations, member communications, and reputation management efforts to strengthen First Tech's brand visibility, credibility, and trust with external audiences.

Serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, this individual helps shape the organization's external narrative and strengthens relationships with members, media, community stakeholders, and industry influencers. The role plays a critical part in protecting and enhancing First Tech's reputation during periods of growth, transformation, and change. Working in close partnership with the Senior Director of Corporate Communications (Internal), this leader ensures alignment between internal and external messaging while advancing enterprise priorities and business objectives.

Here's what you can expect from the job and what you need to be successful:

What You'll Do:

Communications Strategy & Executive Counsel

• Develop and lead an enterprise-wide external communications strategy and narrative, ensuring alignment with brand, business priorities, member needs, and organizational values.
• Develop executive visibility and executive communications strategies that position First Tech leaders as trusted voices in financial services, technology, innovation, member experience, workplace culture, and community impact.
• Oversee the crisis and issues‑management communications framework, ensuring readiness, coordinated rapid response, and clear escalation pathways to protect trust and minimize risk.

Member Communications

• Lead member communications strategies supporting significant organizational changes, strategic initiatives, and business transformations. Ensure communications support transparency, trust, understanding, and positive member experiences.
• Own development of First Tech's Annual Report and communications strategy and execution for the Annual Membership Meeting.

Public Relations, Reputation & Executive Visibility

• Lead public relations and media relations, including proactive storytelling, relationship‑building with key journalists, media briefings, interview preparation, and ongoing press management.
• Own messaging, content creation, and editorial governance for press releases, statements, talking points, FAQs, op‑eds, and executive bylines, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and brand consistency.
• Lead integrated communications campaigns and public-facing event communications supporting product announcements, partnerships, community engagement, advocacy, and enterprise initiatives.
• Manage agency, vendor, and media‑monitoring partnerships, ensuring quality execution, cost efficiency, and alignment with enterprise standards.

Team Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing external communications team, fostering collaboration, accountability, innovation, and strategic capability.
• Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks, including share of voice, message pull‑through, sentiment, reach, and impact, using insights to guide continuous improvement.

Essential Skills:

• 8+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, and/or related fields
• 6+ years' experience leading a diverse team including hiring, coaching, and performance management
• Expert writing, editing, and storytelling; ability to translate complex topics for broad audiences
• Experience managing collaboration platforms and content operations
• Strong stakeholder management and executive partnering skills
• Program and project management discipline; budgeting and vendor oversight
• Required Education: Bachelor''s degree in field relevant to role (or 4 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree), advanced degree preferred.

Location: Hillsboro Corporate Office | Hillsboro OR 97124 OR Marlborough Corporate Office | Marlborough, MA

Target Compensation: $146,500.00 to $176,000.00 annually + annual bonus

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Who We Are:

What makes First Tech different? Click here to learn more!

Every great journey begins with a bold idea-and ours is no different. First Tech and DCU were founded on the belief that financial solutions should put people first. That belief has fueled decades of innovation and service, rooted in the tech sector and expanding to support members from all walks of life.

Employees are eligible for:

• Traditional medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off: You''ll accrue up to 15 days in your first year. In addition, you''ll receive 40 hours of sick time and 3 personal days, which refresh annually
• Paid federal holidays
• Special employee pricing on lending products such as mortgage, auto, and personal loans (eligibility subject to standard account requirements and underwriting criteria)

Employment Statements:

First Tech is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity, inclusion, and equity at our company. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you''re applying for a job and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an email to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

First Tech is not currently offering Visa transfer/sponsorship for this position.