VP - Corporate Communications at PeoplesBank

Welcome to PeoplesBank! We are the largest mutually chartered bank in Western Mass and Northern Connecticut, we are proud to lead the way in green values, sustainable energy financing, and charitable giving. Our commitment to operating in the best interest of our customers is matched by our dedication to fostering an inclusive and engaging work environment. We offer excellent compensation, workplace flexibility, and a competitive benefits package to our associates. Our award-winning culture has earned us recognition as the Best Place to Work and Best Local Bank. Join our team of dedicated and innovative individuals and be a part of our dynamic, successful organization. Let's make a difference together!

Summary:

PeoplesBank is seeking a dynamic and strategic Vice President of Communications to establish and lead the bank's new communications function. This role will define and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances internal engagement, strengthens customer relationships, and elevates the bank's public presence. The VP will oversee all aspects of employee, customer, and external communications-including media relations, brand reputation, and crisis response-while ensuring consistency, transparency, and alignment with business objectives. Partnering closely with HR, IT, Compliance, Executive Leadership, and Digital teams, this leader will build a high-impact team and deliver clear, compelling messaging across multiple channels to support the bank's culture, brand, and customer experience. This role can be onsite / hybrid or remote (within 2 hours of Holyoke, MA), for travel to executive offices on an occasional basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership:

• Establish the vision and structure for the communications function within Marketing.
• Establish a Corporate Communications strategy which includes external and internal key messages that align with the overall business strategy, company culture and brand message.
• Build and manage a small but high-impact team, vendors, and freelancers, ensuring that the team is connected to the business areas to respond to the needs of the organization in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Define KPIs and measurement strategies to assess effectiveness of communication efforts.
• Contribute to the larger initiatives of the Marketing Division through participation in key strategic projects, partnering with peers to review major deliverables and share ideas that drive improved overall performance of the division.
• Manage the development of goals, plans, budgets, priorities and policies for communication group.
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal partners, industry influencers, key community and strategic partners.

Internal Communications:

• Lead employee communication strategy to increase transparency, engagement, and alignment.
• Oversee all messaging related to HR initiatives, change management, and executive updates.
• Develop a regular internal cadence (e.g., newsletters, company-wide meetings, intranet content).

Customer Communications:

• Drive communication across the customer journey: onboarding, servicing, education, and retention.
• Develop messaging for service updates, product launches, fraud alerts, and regulatory notices.
• Ensure clarity, brand consistency, and a customer-centric tone across all customer-facing touchpoints.
• Collaborate with Business Unit leaders to develop content schedule for external and internal communication, to include messaging points, timing and mediums for communication.
• Identify ways to share brand message and culture through social media platforms, ensuring engagement and positive impact for brand.
  

External / Public Communications:

• Manage public relations, media strategy, and community-facing messaging.
• Craft executive speeches, press releases, thought leadership pieces, and sponsorship communications.
• Serve as a brand steward during community events, crises, or social responsibility campaigns.

Channel & Platform Oversight:

• Oversee content for Internal communications platforms/intranet
• External website (in collaboration with digital/UX teams)
• Social media (organic and reputational response)
• Email marketing (particularly servicing and lifecycle content)
• Contact center scripts and customer service messaging
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDIC disclosures, ADA guidelines).

Crisis Communications:

• Own and maintain a crisis communication plan.
• Lead rapid response efforts for service disruptions, cybersecurity incidents, and reputational risks.
• Serve as the liaison with legal, compliance, and executive teams during issue escalation.

Education and Experience:

Skills Required:

• Understanding of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations Industry; proven experience in conveying messages to consumers and/or employees.
• Graphic design or artistic capabilities.
• Excellent communication: ability to organize complex concepts into articulate messages that promote action and/or understanding.
• Attention to detail, time management and project management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Strong work ethic and drive for results.

Computer/Technical Skills:

• Employee communications platforms (SharePoint, internal newsletters, MS Teams, etc.)
• Public relations/media outlets (local press, financial media, trade publications)
• Social media (Meta, LinkedIn, NextDoor reputation management platforms like Google Reviews, Glassdoor)
• Email & CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Creatio, Campaign Monitor)
• Web content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
• Contact center scripting & customer servicing messaging
• ADA compliance, readability standards, and regulatory disclosure requirements

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to sit, use hands to sort, write and keyboard, and to listen and speak. The associate is frequently required to reach, walk, stoop, crouch. The associate is occasionally required to stand, lift, bend, drive and travel.