AVP, Corporate Communications

Continental Casualty Company • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

Lead CNA’s integrated internal and external communications function, including employee communications, executive communications, media relations, public relations and reputation management. Translate business priorities into integrated communication strategies that strengthen employee engagement, support business priorities, elevate leadership visibility, enhance CNA’s reputation and position the company as a market leader.

Lead executive and strategic communications, developing messages, talking points, remarks, presentations, leadership updates and other materials. Serve as a strategic communications partner to the VP, Marketing, supporting communications planning and messaging strategy and preparing leaders for high-priority internal and external moments.

Lead external communications strategy and programs, including media relations, public relations, reputation management, advertising, executive visibility, external positioning, speaking opportunities, awards and recognition, and issues-related communications. Lead enterprise employee communications and oversee all-employee town halls and major internal forums, from content and executive preparation through production, follow-up and measurement.

Work with Line of Business Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, Distribution and other partners to understand business priorities and translate relevant insights into internal and external communications opportunities. Lead the communications function’s operating model, including priorities, editorial planning, governance, resource allocation, measurement, approvals and quality standards. Additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business, Insurance or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Typically at least 12–15 years of progressive communications experience, including significant experience in internal communications, executive communications, external communications, media relations, public relations, reputation management and executive visibility in a complex corporate environment.
• Experience leading a communications function, team or major enterprise communications workstream, with accountability for strategy, execution, stakeholder management, agency oversight, approvals and high-visibility communications initiatives.
• Commercial insurance experience, including familiarity with carrier business priorities, underwriting, distribution, broker and client audiences, market dynamics and industry issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead an enterprise integrated communications function, set strategic direction, manage competing priorities and build credibility across a complex organization.
• Deep expertise in integrated internal and external communications, including employee communications, executive communications, media relations, public relations, reputation management and executive visibility.
• Strong media relations, public relations and external communications experience, including proactive earned media strategy, spokesperson preparation, message development, media materials, issues management, agency management and external positioning.
• Exceptional writing, editing and executive counsel skills, with the ability to translate business priorities, market dynamics and leadership messages into clear, credible communications.
• Strong commercial insurance acumen and understanding of carrier priorities, underwriting strategy, distribution, broker and client relationships, market trends and industry issues.
• Sound judgment, people leadership and operating discipline, including the ability to manage sensitive topics, develop talent, strengthen governance, align cross-functional partners and improve communications quality and impact.
• Experience planning and leading all-employee town halls, leadership forums and other major communications moments, including executive preparation, content development, production coordination, audience engagement and post-event follow-through.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead CNA’s integrated internal and external communications function.
• Develop and execute executive and strategic communications, including messages, talking points, remarks, presentations and leadership updates.
• Partner with the VP, Marketing on executive communications planning and messaging strategy, and prepare leaders for high-priority communications moments.
• Lead external communications strategy, including media relations, public relations, reputation management, advertising, executive visibility, external positioning, speaking opportunities, awards and issues-related communications.
• Develop and manage media relations, public relations and advertising programs, including media strategy, spokesperson preparation, message development, materials review, media monitoring, approvals coordination and reputational risk awareness.
• Lead enterprise employee communications about business priorities, performance, culture, leadership messages, organizational changes, growth initiatives and major company moments.
• Oversee all-employee town halls and major internal forums, including content strategy, agendas, executive preparation, presentations, run of show, speaker coordination, audiovisual partnership, production support, follow-up and measurement.
• Collaborate with Line of Business Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, Distribution and other partners to identify and communicate business priorities, growth initiatives, market developments, client and broker needs, underwriting strategies and CNA expertise.
• Lead the communications function’s operating model, including team priorities, editorial planning, governance, resource allocation, measurement, approval processes and quality standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package intended to support employees’ and family members’ physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals; details are available in the Candidate Guide.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior