Communications Specialist

This job is located at: 1 S Wacker Dr Chicago IL

PLS: People. Location. Service

Why PLS Because You Deserve Better! PLS which stands for People Location Service is a leading retail provider of financial services. The P comes first because our customers are at the center of everything we do and we recognize that its our exceptional team members who go above and beyond every day. The PLS Group headquartered in Chicago is comprised of over 200 financial service centers in 12 states. Through our check cashing stores we provide consumers with convenient financial products and services to help them manage their daytoday financial needs. Although many of our customers have banking relationships we believe that our customers use our financial services because they are convenient transparent and frequently more affordable than available traditional alternatives. PLS was founded in 1997 by Bob and Dan Wolfberg who serve as CoPresidents.

Position Overview:

The Communications Specialist is essential to developing and delivering employee communication plans programs and activities that inform excite and inspire our employees by building connections across our strategic priorities Human Resources initiatives and employees workplace experiences. The Communications Specialist applies a datadriven and informed approach to their work to create edit and coordinate compelling messaging that supports ongoing awareness understanding and engagement for all levels of employees in various roles across PLS. This position will report to the Senior Manager of Training Communications and Talent.

Job Description:

• Develop and lead initiatives to improve the internal communications program leveraging PLSs tone of voice to increase employee engagement and promote company culture and shared values.
• Create compelling engaging and creative internal announcements and manage the process from request through distribution.
• Manage the media mailbox ensuring that inquiries are handled in a timely manner and recorded for reporting purposes.
• Develop press releases and announcements.
• Support PLSs efforts to increase engagement on social media channels for talent attraction purposes.
• Create and disseminate communications plans for projects and provide insight and feedback into communications strategy as relevant.
• Consult on communications content delivery risk and possible and likely consequences for stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of weekly monthly and annual communications plans/schedules.
• Build and maintain solid partnerships with internal clients to better develop coordinate direct and facilitate strategic communications to meet business goals.
• Provide communication support for strategic initiatives to employees at all levels including executivelevel leaders.
• Drive awareness and information components of change management initiatives through internal communications.
• Create and distribute the quarterly internal company newsletter.
• Create edit and distribute operations communications through the Operations Bulletin and other News email broadcasts.
• Coordinate communication activities including project timelines and vendor management.
• Manage and distribute company directories and organization charts.
• Manage iConnect PLSs document repository.
• Create update and maintain communications resources on the SharePoint site.
• Assist the Training Department with webinars training programs (Get Connected) and other necessary training materials.
• Other initiatives as needed.

Skills/Requirements:

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Bachelors degree required in Communications English Public Relations Journalism or related field.
• Experience in drafting communications for a variety of channels including print multimedia web and email.
• Five or more years of experience in corporate communications including planning writing editing and production of various internal and external communications.
• Five or more years of experience with layout and graphics including Canva InDesign and Photoshop or equivalent.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite primarily InDesign and Adobe editor.
• Experience delivering communications across a diverse nationwide workforce.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to integrate complex concepts.
• Outstanding project management skills and ability to juggle multiple highpriority projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work calmly and maintain good judgment in a fastpaced environment.
• Ability to quickly learn and diligently uphold the PLS identity and brand standards.
• High personal ethical standards and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong technical skills including Microsoft (Word PowerPoint Publisher SharePoint and Windows) software preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift 15 lbs.

Benefits:

Benefits for eligible team members include medical/dental/vision 401(k) vacation opportunities for advancement and ongoing training.

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.

We strive to demonstrate our Core Values in all positions at PLS:

Communication Customer Focus Integrity and Trust Teamwork Results

PLS Financial Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex age sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability marital status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. PLS Financial Services is a drugfree workplace. PLS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process please notify your Recruiter or a member of our Human Resources team to make arrangements. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a casebycase basis.

For jobs located in the City of Los Angeles consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment