VP, External Communications

Synchrony • Stamford, CT

1d • $110,000 - $185,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Synchrony seeks a seasoned Vice President, External Communications to define and drive high-impact external communications strategies that shape the Synchrony story, elevate awareness of our products and services, build B2B thought leadership, and win mindshare among media and influencers. This leader will own strategic communications for Synchrony’s core commercial platforms with a priority on the Health & Wellness business (dental, veterinary/pet, cosmetic) and new initiatives from across the Synchrony business. This role is for an expert in external communications who solves unique problems, manages executive engagement, and coordinates with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable outcomes. The VP is accountable for budget, performance and results, sets objectives and KPIs, and recommends solutions and best practices. This leader operates independently with guidance only on highly complex or novel issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. In lieu of degree, HS Diploma/GED and 11 years progressive external communications/public relations experience, with a strong track record of leading comprehensive PR and thought leadership programs.
• 8+ years of progressive external communications/public relations experience, with a strong track record of leading comprehensive PR and thought leadership programs.
• 5+ years managing external PR agencies
• 3+ years leading integrated Paid, Earned, Social and Owned media campaigns.
• Experience managing executive engagement and preparing senior leaders for high-profile external interactions.
• Experience managing budgets, agency partners, and cross-functional teams; accountable for performance and results.
• Experience with issues and crisis communications in high-stakes environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills; expert-level capability to simplify complex business or health/wellness topics into clear external messages.
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required - up to 15%.
• You must be 18 years or older
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.
• Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.
• Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.
• All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations
• Deep knowledge of the health & wellness and/or financial services industries.
• Self-starter who can operate with high autonomy.
• Proven ability to solve unique and complex communications problems, recommend pragmatic solutions, and set organizational best practices.
• Strong leadership presence and proven ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Highly independent, exercises sound judgment, and seeks guidance only for highly complex or novel situations.
• Strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and focus on delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Trustworthy with the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of integrated external communications strategies and annual plans that advance corporate reputation, product narratives, and business objectives across Health & Wellness and other commercial platforms. Accountable for performance, results and Budget.
• Translate business insights and data into compelling external narratives and content — press releases, bylines, op-eds, executive talking points, podcasts, case studies, and campaign collateral — tailored for diverse external audiences.
• Manage executive engagement: counsel and prepare company leaders and business partners for media interviews, industry events, stakeholder briefings and public appearances.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (marketing, internal communications, social, government affairs, product teams) and manage external agencies to execute integrated paid, earned, owned and social programs.
• Own issues and crisis communications for assigned portfolios: craft official statements, rapid-response messaging, and strategic positioning on nuanced health and wellness topics.
• Cultivate and leverage strategic relationships with trade associations, industry influencers, media, think tanks, academic partners and third-party advocates to amplify narratives and inform strategy.
• Recommend communications solutions and best practices based on industry experience; identify opportunities to scale successful programs across the enterprise.
• Manage vendor and agency performance, contracts and budgets; ensure resource allocation aligns to strategic priorities and delivers measurable business impact.
• Set objectives, KPIs and measurement frameworks for campaigns; monitor performance and deliver ROI-focused reporting.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• annual bonus based on individual and company performance
• flexibility to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices
• inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued
• support and encouragement at all levels of the organization
• tools and technology to grow your career
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

What This Job Offers

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