Director, Corporate Communications

We do the right things, right now. We do them in a way that is relevant to our clients. Become a part of our history as it continues to be written!

The Director of Communications & Public Relations leads the Bank’s enterprise communications, public relations, executive messaging, and key associate engagement communication strategies. This role serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and partners closely with Human Resources, Marketing, Legal, Compliance, Retail, Operations, IT, Facilities, and business line leaders to ensure communications are clear, consistent, timely, compliant, and aligned with the Bank’s brand, culture, and strategic priorities. The position is responsible for setting strategy, standards, governance, messaging direction, and quality expectations. The role will matrix manage cross-functional teams and partners responsible for execution across communications, events, internal platforms, multimedia content, and associate engagement programs.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an enterprise communications strategy that supports the Bank’s strategic objectives, reputation, culture, associate engagement, client experience, and brand awareness.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to executive leadership, Human Resources, Marketing, Retail, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and other business partners.
• Lead executive communications strategy, including messaging, presentations, talking points, speeches, scripts, video messages, leadership updates, town halls, and enterprise announcements.
• Oversee internal communications strategy, including communication planning, editorial standards, message consistency, governance, and associate engagement communications.
• Support communication strategy, content standards, publishing cadence, and governance for The Path, the Bank’s internal communications platform.
• Support enterprise brand governance to ensure consistent application of the Bank’s brand voice, visual identity, templates, signage, branch materials, client letters, recruiting materials, presentations, event materials, and other key touchpoints.
• Partner with Marketing to align communications and brand governance with campaigns, advertising, product marketing, digital content, social media, and growth initiatives.
• Lead public relations and reputation management strategy, including media relations, press releases, public statements, external announcements, media protocols, and executive media preparation.
• Support the Bank’s crisis communications plan in partnership with executive leadership, Legal, Compliance, Risk, HR, Operations, IT, Retail, and Marketing.
• Provide communications strategy and brand oversight for major corporate events, leadership forums, client events, community events, internal meetings, and recognition programs.
• Lead messaging, branding, presentation strategy, scripts, executive remarks, and communication planning for Leader’s Circle quarterly and annual events recognizing top performers.
• Partner with Human Resources and Marketing to strengthen the Bank’s recruiting brand and employer value proposition through job posting language, career materials, social content, associate stories, hiring event messaging, and onboarding communications.
• Establish standards for client letters, institutional notices, branch communications, signage, presentations, and other recurring communications to ensure materials are clear, accurate, compliant, client-friendly, and brand-aligned.
• Advance the Bank’s use of multimedia, digital, social media, and AI-enabled communication capabilities, including video, graphics, digital storytelling, presentations, content planning, workflow efficiency, and communication measurement.
• Establish expectations for responsible and compliant use of AI in communications, including accuracy, confidentiality, data protection, approval workflows, and brand voice.
• Lead through influence and matrix management across Communications, Marketing, HR, Legal, Compliance, Retail, Operations, IT, Facilities, executive leadership, business lines, agencies, vendors, and external partners.
• Clarify communication roles, responsibilities, approval paths, and governance processes to improve consistency, speed, quality, and accountability.
• Monitor communications, PR, brand, social media, AI, and financial services trends to ensure the Bank’s approach remains current and effective.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, marketing communications, internal communications, brand management, or a related field.
• Financial services, banking, regulated industry, or public company experience are strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business, English, or related field required.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior executives and developing enterprise communication strategies.
• Excellent writing, editing, storytelling, presentation, and message development skills.
• Strong understanding of executive communications, internal communications, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, brand governance, and change communications.
• Experience supporting associate engagement, recognition programs, culture communications, recruiting brand, or employer brand initiatives.
• Demonstrated understanding of multimedia communications, including video, digital content, visual storytelling, presentations, social media, and content planning.
• Working knowledge of social media strategy, reputation management, content governance, and digital engagement.
• Ability to use AI-enabled tools responsibly to support communications planning, drafting, editing, content development, analysis, and workflow efficiency.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, deadlines, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
• Proven ability to lead through influence and matrix manage cross-functional teams.
• Sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, executive presence, and ability to handle sensitive or confidential information.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with executives, HR, Marketing, Compliance, Legal, Retail, Operations, and business line leaders.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree Level of Complexity and Scope
• 7–10+ years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, marketing communications, internal communications, brand management, or a related field.
• Degree of Independence and Decision-Making
• Has developed knowledge and skills through formal training or considerable work experience.
• Works within established procedures with a minimum degree of supervision.
• Identifies problems and all relevant issues in straightforward situations, assesses each using standard procedures, and makes sound decisions.

Required Supervisory Responsibilities

n/a

Physical Requirements

Remains stationary (sits or stands) for majority of the day Operates a computer for majority of the day

Compliance Statement

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Development and Training Pay Range

$107,000- $142,760/annually

Benefits

We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. Please review our Benefits Guide.

Incentive Eligibility

All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.

E-Verify Employer

We are an E-Verify Employer.

Mission and Values

At first financial bank, our mission is clear: to be the best bank to do business with, the best place to work, and the best financial partner for our shareholders and the communities we serve. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we achieve. That’s why we’re guided by core values that shape everything we do: Doing the right thing Teamwork Mutual respect Wellbeing Excellence Our success starts with our people. We know that when our associates are talented, engaged, and supported, they create outstanding results. If you're looking to be part of a team that values integrity, inclusion, and collaboration—and where your growth matters—you’ll find your future here.