Communications Specialist

Compeer Financial

About Us:

Compeer Financial is a member-owned, Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. We provide loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America. With 1,200 dedicated team members serving more than 43,000 clients, we offer specialized expertise and personalized service regardless of the size of the farm, the type of crop grown or the livestock raised. Our services are provided with convenience in mind, through visits to fields, barns and homes, or by maximizing technology to make the most of every hour in every day.

Compeer Financial regularly collaborates with others who are also dedicated to agriculture and rural America. Our in-house specialists participate in conversations that extend beyond our service area, providing formal and informal insight on topics pertinent to all industries, including dairy, swine, grain and renewable energy. With $18 billion in loan and lease assets, Compeer Financial is one of the largest cooperatives in the Farm Credit System. This nationwide network of lending institutions supports agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.

Mission: Enriching agriculture and rural America.

Vision: Trusted financial services partner advancing agriculture and rural America.

https://www.compeer.com


Position Details

Communications Specialist
Job
Full-time
7/30/2018
Minnesota
Mankato or Apple Valley, MN

Position Overview:

The Communications Specialist actively participates in the identification, planning, and execution of highly effective and consistent communication strategies and plans on behalf of Compeer Financial. The position develops comprehensive communication plans – understanding strategic messages, creating and editing content, and analyzing communication gaps. The Communications Specialist selects and uses a variety of communication methods and tools to market Compeer’s industry leadership, expertise, and perspective internally and externally.

Successful candiates will:

Communications:

Formulates and administers comprehensive communications plan that delivers strategic messages and business performance updates. Develops communications plans and supports them through implementation for internal and external clients. Drafts and edits content, schedules meetings and monitors for communication improvement areas. Provides clear communications on complex issues and topics. Actively pursues new and innovative ways to communicate with various audiences, including podcasts, multi-media, mobile messaging, written materials, etc. Assists with client communications, including the corporate magazine, annual report, digital newsletters and client letters. Promotes ag advocacy through telling client success stories. Manages communication content of the intranet, collaborating with internal teams to address all communication needs.

Content Management:

Collaborates with Marketing and Communications, as well as members of the internal business units, to identify unique benefits. Leads content groups. Develops commercial insight utilizing market research, intelligence and marketing resources to help build the story. Activates the insight through various communication and marketing channels in partnership with Marketing and Communication team members.

Social Media:

Assists in maintaining and monitoring the organization’s social media accounts.

Public/Media Relations:

Develops and maintains relationships with the media to further the organization’s strategy and messages. Identifies opportunities for maximizing media relationships and proactively positions Compeer Financial with media, clients and industry partners. Develops press releases and pitches story ideas to media. Monitors media through online services and other established tools. Assists Marketing leadership, when needed, in public relations efforts for distressed assets, crisis communications and media monitoring.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, public relations, or closely related field; or equivalent work experience. 
  • 3 - 5 years of related professional work experience, preferably in a financial services environment. 
  • Experience with communication tools, including social media, blogging platforms and video editing, preferred but not required. 
  • Expanding knowledge of Compeer Financial products, services, processes, team members and teams/functions is required. 
  • Advanced interpersonal, written and verbal communication, presentation, problem solving, analytical, organizational, critical thinking and listening skills. 
  • Proven client service skills and effective team skills are essential. 
  • Ability to effectively coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, while prioritizing. 
  • Ability to seek input from all levels throughout the organization. 
  • Strong writing and editing skills for a variety of media. 
  • Some experience in agricultural environment desired. 
  • Advanced computer skills including MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.) and other related software applications.

Compeer Financial, headquartered in Sun Prairie, WI, exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America like never before. If you are interested in empowering those in agriculture and rural communities to achieve their goals and expand their possibilities, we invite you to learn more about our organization. We are looking for innovative, dynamic and collaborative team members to join our team.

We offer great benefits including:

  • Competitive base salary 
  • Health insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.) 
  • 401k (3% Compeer contribution & up to an additional 6% match) 
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays 
  • Educational assistance 
  • Training and development programs


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