Communications - External/Media Relations

About the role

A mid-level communicator serving as a trusted advisor to business, function, and department leaders. This role leads strategic communications programs that support business objectives, strengthen reputation, and drive engagement.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic communications planning for line of business or function.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to business leaders, providing strategic counsel on reputation, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and communications opportunities.
• Develop and lead integrated external communications campaigns that elevate Truist's reputation, strengthen executive visibility, and showcase innovation, transformation, technology, data, and AI-driven initiatives.
• Identify, develop, and execute compelling stories, thought leadership content, media materials, executive communications, and external messaging that support business priorities and market positioning.
• Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and industry influencers; identify proactive media opportunities; and contribute to earned media placements that advance Truist's brand and business objectives.
• Develop and manage an external editorial calendar that aligns storytelling opportunities with business priorities, industry trends, innovation milestones, and executive visibility opportunities.
• Support speaking engagements, industry conferences, award submissions, media opportunities, and thought leadership initiatives that elevate the visibility of Truist leaders and initiatives.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to communicate key business priorities and support leadership communications as needed.
• Use data, analytics, and media insights to inform communications strategies, measure effectiveness, and drive decision-making.
• Apply AI and other technology tools to improve and streamline communications work while helping translate complex technology, data, AI, and transformation initiatives into compelling stories for external audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 7+ years of relevant communications experience or equivalent advanced educational training.
• Proven experience in creating internal/external communications strategy.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder environments, influence others, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent storytelling, writing, and content development skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement in daily decision making.
• Experience using data and analytics to drive decisions.
• Proficient in digital platforms, AI tools, and basic media formats.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and executing external communications, public relations, media relations, or reputation management strategies.
• Demonstrated success developing, pitching, and securing earned media opportunities.
• Significant agency experience supporting media relations, executive visibility, reputation management, or corporate communications programs preferred.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with reporters, editors, analysts, or industry influencers.
• Experience leading integrated external communications campaigns from strategy through execution and measurement.
• Experience supporting executive visibility through thought leadership programs, speaking engagements, conferences, award submissions, and media opportunities.
• Understanding of the technology, innovation, business, financial services, and/or digital transformation media landscape.
• Experience translating complex topics, including technology, AI, data, digital transformation, engineering, or operational modernization initiatives into compelling external narratives.
• Experience supporting organizations undergoing transformation, modernization, innovation, or large-scale business change initiatives preferred.
• Combination of agency and in-house communications experience preferred.