Senior External Communications Manager

The Senior External Communications Manager will help lead UMBs external communications strategy and function to strengthen brand reputation amplify thought leadership and engage key stakeholders across media industry and external community channels. This role is responsible for developing and executing integrated external communications plans that align with business objectives and position UMB as a trusted financial services leader. This role partners closely with other corporate communication team members marketing regional leadership and others to deliver impactful timely and narrative-driven communication.

*This role will be considered for hybrid or remote work depending on location.*

How you will spend your time:

• Develop execute and oversee strategic external communication plans to support the following areas priorities and goals: Institutional Banking Consumer Private Wealth Management and Employer Brand.

• Serve as a strategic communication advisor to internal stakeholders including executives across the organization

• Able to distill complex information and topics into actionable and audience-appropriate materials

• Monitor industry news and collaborate with internal and agency partners to proactively identify media opportunities and potential risks.

• Oversee and execute earned and owned media strategies

• Prep spokespeople for media interactions including messaging development

• Provide media training to new spokespeople

• Build and maintain relationships with regional and national reporters

• Direct thought leadership editorial and targeted placement in local regional and trade media

• Write compelling content across a variety of media and business subjects including pitches press releases talking points guest columns blog posts award nominations video scripts and more

• Fully manage and oversee the production of UMBs annual ESG and Corporate Citizenship report.

• Manage communication/PR agency and other vendors freelancers and consultants as needed

• Prioritize to remain focused on goals and strategic plan execution

• Able to solve complex problems under tight deadlines

• Plan and track complex projects while juggling competing priorities and adapting when needs change unexpectedly

• Serve as a crisis communication team member on an as-needed basis

• Analyze measure and report on output to validate overall approach assess value capture ROI (when possible) etc.

• Other duties as assigned.

Were excited to talk with you if you have:

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Communication or Journalism

• 10 years of media relations and other related experience

• 3 years agency experience or experience managing a PR agency relationship

• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills

• Outstanding project management skills including the ability to meet deadlines and stay within project budgets

• Excellent media relations skills with a proven track record of strategically and proactively securing placements

• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to make quick and sound decisions under tight timelines in important situations

• Ability to effectively interact with and strategically counsel and advise all levels of associates including C-suite executives

• Ability to work with media and the larger community

• Ability to multitask work quickly and efficiently

• Ability to manage unforeseen projects as they arise

• Strong technology and computer skills

Compensation Range:

The posted compensation range on this listing represents UMBs standard for this role but the actual compensation may vary by geographic location experience level and other job-related addition this range does not encompass the full earning potential for this role. Please see the description of benefits included with this job posting for additional information.

UMB offers competitive and varied benefits to eligible associates such as Paid Time Off; a 401(k) matching program; annual incentive pay; paid holidays; a comprehensive company sponsored benefit plan including medical dental vision and other insurance coverage; health savings flexible spending and dependent care accounts; adoption assistance; an employee assistance program; fitness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement; an associate wellbeing program; an associate emergency fund; and various associate banking benefits. Benefit offerings and eligibility requirements vary.

Are you ready to be part of something more

Youre more than a means to an enda way to help us meet the bottom line. UMB isnt comprised of workers but of people who care about their work one another and their community. Expect more than the status quo. At UMB you can expect more heart. Youll be valued for exactly who you are and encouraged to support causes you care about. Expect more trust. We want you to do the right thing no matter what. And expect more opportunities. UMBers are known for having multiple careers here and having their voices heard.

UMB and its affiliates are committed to inclusion and diversity and provide employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including gender pregnancy sexual orientation and gender identity) national origin age disability military service veteran status genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal state or local law. If you need accommodation for any part of the employment process because of a disability please send an e-mail to to let us know the nature of your request.

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