PR & Communications Specialist

Location Hybrid,Dover, NH, 03820,United States
Employee Type Exempt - FT
OUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

At Lighthouse Credit Union, we believe all individuals, regardless of position level, are considered leaders. By providing a framework that balances clarity with adaptability, our Leadership Competencies aim to foster a culture of continuous growth and agile leadership. Lighthouse Credit Union is committed to embracing change, nurturing leadership talent, and ensuring our performance management practices are aligned with our vision of fostering a resilient and forward-thinking organization. As such, we all hold ourselves accountable to the following:
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Demonstrates Interpersonal Awareness & Skills

A cornerstone of our collaborative work environment, this competency emphasizes effective communication, relationship building and teamwork. It also supports creating a positive work environment that values individual contributions and fosters teamwork. As an individual leader, you will guide your team in effective communication strategies, foster strong interdepartmental relationships and model collaboration.
Embraces Change & Learning

This competency focuses on adaptability, personal development and the advocacy and embracing of progressive change. You will be challenged to explore continuous learning opportunities to achieve excellence and foster a culture of growth and innovation. As an individual leader, you will build buy-in for change among team members, support their development and effectively manage team dynamics to achieve business results. You will also champion the benefits of change and encourage innovation and the generation of new ideas.
Utilizes Critical & Creative Thinking

Underlining the importance of innovative problem solving, challenging the status quo and strategic thinking, this competency is vital for driving excellence and leadership. This competency challenges to take initiative beyond one’s immediate responsibilities. As an individual leader, you will effectively problem-solve through creative methods, lead changes with optimism and motivate the team by setting clear expectations and recognizing performance.
Takes Personal Ownership

This competency focuses on taking responsibility for performance goals, proactive collaboration and accountability. It highlights the significance of each team member taking ownership of their role and contributions while demonstrating leadership qualities regardless of their position. As an individual leader, you will build and maintain collaborative relationships across the organization, seek constructive feedback and ideas for improvement and hold the team accountable for business impact while supporting their development.
POSITION SUMMARY

The Public Relations & Communications Specialist supports the execution of strategic communications initiatives that strengthen and elevate the credit union’s brand, reputation, and member experience. This role contributes to communication efforts across multiple channels, including public relations, community outreach, events, sponsorships, social media, and member-facing content, while helping ensure consistent messaging and a cohesive brand voice. Serving as a key contributor to organizational storytelling, the Specialist builds meaningful connections with members, community partners, and media audiences through clear, engaging, and audience-focused communications. The position also supports and staffs internal and external events, including trade shows, community fundraisers, and chamber initiatives, while managing multiple projects, adapting messaging for diverse audiences, and contributing creative ideas that align with business objectives and strengthen community relationships.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Understand the media landscape and has a pulse on cultural moments.
Produces high-quality content in the form of press releases, pitches, speaking opportunity abstracts, award submissions, social media copy, blogs, etc.
Assists in developing responses and communications related to online reviews, social media engagement, community initiatives and reputation management efforts.
Assists with media outreach and help maintain relationships with media contacts.
Coordinates media requests and support interview preparation and logistics.
Ensures all external messaging aligns with brand standards and organizational voice.
Monitors media coverage and tracks earned media opportunities.
Conducts reliable and accurate media research (editorial calendars, speaking opportunities, media/analyst list development) and provides teams with industry-relevant news and research.
Supports organic social media strategy and initiatives as needed.
Identifies community outreach opportunities and sponsorships.
Assists with planning and executing external and internal events.
Attends, organizes, or works at company or community events as required, including occasional nights or weekends.
Actively participates in team meetings, offering creative ideas/solutions.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Write and edit content for newsletters, blogs, press releases, member communications, and marketing materials.
Identify and develop stories that highlight community impact and organizational initiatives.
Proven ability in written and visual storytelling to bring a brand to life and drive engagement.
Strong understanding of audience segmentation and targeting to reach key demographics and drive results.
Assist with community relations efforts, sponsorship activities, volunteer initiatives and events.
Coordinate review and approval process with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate effectively via both verbal and written communication.
Action-oriented, energetic and welcomes challenges. Able to be a self-starter in an entrepreneurial-like environment.
Deals with concepts and complexity comfortably; capable and agile.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in fast-paced environment.
Self-starter who takes initiative to proactively own and drive efforts.
Results-oriented, with the ability to deliver results that impact business performance.
Superior organizational, problem-solving, project and time management skills.
Maintain communication assets, templates and content libraries.
Ability to effectively prioritize, manage change, and meet deadlines while delivering high quality work and communicate effectively.
Ability to successfully navigate a highly complex, matrixed, and collaborative business environment.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

BS or BA in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.
3 – 5 years of experience at an agency or in-house.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills. Someone who is comfortable being out in the community, picking up the phone, and being in a public networking setting.
Enthusiastic, open-minded, adaptable, creative, and passionate about community involvement and relationship nurturing. A significant level of trust and diplomacy is required, in addition to normal courtesy and tact.
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
Familiarity with financial services marketing is a plus but not required.
Demonstrates curiosity and adaptability in leveraging emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance communication effectiveness, streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and support content development while maintaining sound judgment, accuracy, and brand standards.
WORK ARRANGEMENT

The working arrangement for this position is hybrid, with 3 days in the office. Hybrid work is an opportunity to find the right balance between working in the office and remotely, especially if it supports individual success and the needs of our organization. This position also supports events which may occur on nights and weekends and/or require travel throughout the New England footprint as needed.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel will be required for events (nights/weekends as needed), ongoing training, meetings and/or other business needs. Many events will take place in NH, ME and MA so this position will require the ability to be able to drive to these locations.
LIGHTHOUSE CREDIT UNION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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