Director of Community Relations

About Gulf Winds

Gulf Winds Credit Union offers innovative financial tools that give our members freedom to live life with their finances under control. Since our founding in 1954, we have grown from a single branch in Pensacola, Florida, to a regional institution with over $1 billion in assets and 83,000+ members across Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. From daily banking needs to investment services, our members aren't treated like an account number, but as part of the family.

Our Values

We are guided by our core values of Integrity, Care, Growth, and Innovation and are dedicated to our members, our community and each other.

Integrity
We own our decisions and actions by doing the right thing, learning from our mistakes, and taking responsibility.

Care
We help members meet their goals by listening to understand and offering the best solutions, placing kindness above all else.

Growth
We set ambitious goals, provide personal development opportunities, and encourage results.

Innovation
We challenge the status quo to enhance the member's experience and solve tomorrow's challenges today.

Working at Gulf Winds

Working at Gulf Winds is not just a job, it's a career. We're hiring collaborative, motivated people who want to love what they do. We are forward-thinking and family oriented. We recognize and reward excellent member service and have fun while working hard. When you join the team, you can expect:

• Open and transparent communication with your leaders
• Consistent coaching and opportunities to improve performance.
• Collaborative and team-focused environments
• Short and long-term professional development
• Opportunity to participate in cross-functional projects.

With you on our team we can achieve our vision of becoming the leading and most trusted credit union on the Gulf Coast.

Job Description

Role:

The Director of Community Relations is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive community outreach program and public relations strategy for Gulf Winds Credit Union and its Foundation.

This role will actively contribute to advancing the Credit Union by enhancing the effectiveness of its philanthropy, leading the enterprise strategy for community outreach, promoting local partnerships, mobilizing staff volunteerism, and supporting the Credit Union's Mission while embracing its Values in a positive fashion that creates impact and cultivates relationships.

The position will also be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of the organization's public relations strategy. The role is instrumental in enhancing Gulf Wind's image and reputation in our communities. The ability to spearhead and innovate strategic communications, media relations, and other reputation-enhancing initiatives is key. Strategic initiatives and effective public relations should also be leveraged to increase the Foundation's impact and significance.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Lead all community outreach, partnership, sponsorship, and volunteerism activities for the Credit Union. Develop mutually beneficial relationships and strategically connect with community leaders on plans that advance Gulf Winds' strategic business objectives.

In collaboration with the Gulf Winds leadership team, provide actionable recommendations that will build and enhance the Gulf Winds Foundation and its impact within the communities it serves. Accelerate the development and execution of initiatives.

Direct strategy and execution of public relations activities for the Credit Union that enhance the image advance the narrative and positively evolve the organization's core values and legacy of impact. Oversee media relations and cultivate opportunities for awareness through media and marketing. Work with leadership to drive engagement, publicity, and recognition.

Provide support on internal communication needs, ad hoc assignments, talking points, and high-level communications. Collaborate on crisis communications and special situation projects.

Implement and maintain an enriched blog and member success stories to help build a stronger member base and create member loyalty. Work cross-functionally to develop financial education programs, workshops, and seminars that build community engagement, maximize brand exposure, and shape economic equity.

In collaboration with the Marketing team, support the creation of a more dynamic social media strategy that engages a larger audience and tells a coherent cross-platform story. Explore opportunities and threats related to launching other social media platforms and further define and use the tools best suited to support Gulf Winds' goals.

Provide ongoing leadership and coaching for any future personnel and interns. Lead and support employees with actionable recommendations that meet the organization's expectations for productivity, continuous improvement, and goal accomplishment.

Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Performance Measurements:

Successfully complete all assigned responsibilities within the designated timeframe with zero unresolved errors according to established department standards.

Provide informed, prompt, collaborative, professional, accurate service and support to all members and associates. Maintain a high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive information/documentation with confidentiality.

Ensure all department communications are accurate, timely, and within budget guidelines. Maintain excellent spelling, grammar, and written communication skills, paying close attention to detail when composing, editing, and proofreading materials.

Assist in achieving the Credit Union's objectives concerning the growth of Gulf Winds Foundation.

Maintain and increase current public relations knowledge through professional literature and educational programs supporting the Credit Union's vision and mission.

Assist the VP of Marketing in providing direction and recommendations to leadership based on best practices for PR and donor relations. Identify and communicate effectively any threats or opportunities surrounding the Credit Union's brand and reputation.

Complies with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to BSA, OFAC, and Physical Security.

Knowledge and Skills:

Experience: Five to eight years of similar or related experience.

Education: (1) A bachelor's degree, or (2) achievement of formal certifications recognized in the industry as equivalent to a bachelor's degree (e.g., information technology certifications in lieu of a degree).

Interpersonal Skills: Work involves extensive personal contact with others and is of a personal or sensitive nature. Motivating, influencing, and/or training others is key at this level. Outside contacts become important and fostering sound relationships with other entities (companies and/or individuals) becomes necessary and often requires the ability to influence and/or sell ideas or services to others.

Other Skills: The Director of Community Relations is a results-oriented communications professional who can prioritize projects and tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and monitor several projects simultaneously. The candidate must be detail-oriented and organized, with excellent writing/editing skills and an entrepreneurial spirit. The candidate should have experience in public relations and charitable activities and a deep understanding of sustained, authentic philanthropy and public relations principles and practices. The candidate must be able to work independently, as part of a team, and as a coach and leader. The candidate must have the capacity to perform effectively while working with Credit Union senior leadership and be able to influence and challenge thinking.

Ability to read, write, comprehend, and speak English clearly.

Physical Requirements: This role requires sitting at a computer for most of the day. This role would also require the ability to file files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

Work Environment: The position is based in-office in our Pensacola, Florida market, operates primarily in an office setting, and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, printers, and phones.

This position requires consistent presence in the office to collaborate with team members and fulfill job responsibilities effectively. It requires the ability to actively participate in conference calls and meetings with other Credit Union team members and vendors.

The normal expected work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. After-hours work or travel required to meet project deadlines or attend conferences, seminars, or meetings.

Must adhere to safety rules and regulations.

This Job Description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising the position.

Gulf Winds is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Drug Free Workplace.