Summary: The Communications Specialist assists ICBAs Communications team as it develops and implements media relations strategy that serve the organizations mission of creating and promoting an environment where community banks flourish. The incumbent is a self-starter, is eager and curious, and loves collecting and analyzing data to improve performance and drive optimal outcomes. The individual will also have responsibility for coordinating the media relations needs of the department to help ICBA and the nations community banks tell their positive story. A strong writer and editor, the Communications Specialist assists the team with establishing and growing reporter relationships, proactively pitching media, analyzing the organizations media performance and effectiveness, as well as drafting and editing communications materials and assisting with other relevant projects. Responsibilities: Manages incoming media inquiries and helps coordinate interviews with appropriate ICBA staff experts. Assists with reporter follow up and identifies relevant data and information to further demonstrate ICBAs position and offerings. Conceptualizes effective media pitches and follows up with reporters accordingly. Curates and distributes ICBA media mentions. Leads weekly/monthly data analysis reporting to showcase media effectiveness and inform the broader team as they work to drive successful communications strategy. Stays on top of relevant news and media outlets to identify media opportunities for ICBA and community banks. Utilizes Cision and other technology to optimize media relations function by creating targeted lists, sending press releases and tracking ICBA media effectiveness and trending themes. Identifies media influencers and reports on results to help ICBAs highly successful media relations team better target their efforts. Writes and edits communications materials including but not limited to press releases, op-eds, media pitches, bios, boilerplates, scripts and blogs, along with news stories for ICBA newsletters and publications. Assists with ICBA social media execution, planning of press events and opportunities, along with associated communications deliverables. Serves as a writer for ICBA NewsWatch Today. Assists in daily proofing and posting of the publication. Reviews ICBA press pages (ICBA newsroom, About ICBA/Community Bank Facts, clips and bios webpages, ICBA intranet) and all ICBA-associated boilerplates for accuracy, relevancy and consistency. Qualifications & Skills: Bachelors degree preferred (journalism, communications, other related concentrations a plus) and 2+ years of communications experience. A critical thinker with ability to dig into data and analyze findings. Excellent writing, editing and time-management skills. Strong judgement in decision making. Superb project management skills. Strong communications and relationship building skills with the ability to think proactively to best engage and fully cultivate relationships with members of the media and across the organization. Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to build a storyline that is both informative and engaging. Proficiency with Cision, social media monitoring platforms is a plus. Detail-oriented with ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines. Self-starter with the ability to conceptualize, develop and deploy professional communications that are in alignment with the ICBA mission. Works well independently and as a member of a team. Strong copyediting skills and proficient in applying Associated Press Stylebook. Experience writing for publications (on or offline). Powered by JazzHR LUsF7P2G7Z