CRE Finance Council
The Commercial Real Estate Finance Council is seeking an experienced Communications Director to help us shape CREFC’s messaging and relay important new developments to our members that occur within CREFC and the CRE Finance marketplace at-large.
A trade association like CREFC is seeking a Communications Director who will play a crucial role in shaping the public perception and effectively communicating the association's mission, vision, and goals to its members, stakeholders, the media, and the wider public.
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this position is responsible for the day-to-day Communications and Public Relations activities of the organization. It requires continued close contact and collaboration with various press outlets, with the goal of CREFC’s President & CEO and senior staff speaking with the press on issues important to CREFC members on a regular basis. This role also involves collaborating with various CREFC stakeholders to create compelling content across multiple channels, ensuring alignment with CREFC’s organizational goals and objectives.
Professional and Educational Background
· Minimum of ten years of related experience required.
· Education: BA/BS required.
· Previous trade association experience preferred.
· Knowledge of the commercial real estate and commercial real estate finance industry.
Macro Skills Requirements
There are a number of macro skills and qualifications that potential candidates must possess in order to succeed in this role. They include:
·
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills:
The ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for various audiences and platforms. Strong understanding of communications strategies:
Expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive communication plans that align with the association's objectives and serve to ensure that all CREFC members are updated on new projects and focus areas, whether it be in the financial markets or on Capitol Hill. Media relations expertise:
Proven track record in building and nurturing relationships with journalists and media outlets, managing media inquiries, and coordinating press conferences and events. Crisis communication and management skills:
The ability to handle unexpected and challenging situations with professionalism, and developing and executing crisis communication plans to mitigate any potential reputational damage. Branding and reputation management:
Experience in building and maintaining a positive brand image and ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms. Digital communication proficiency:
Strong understanding and continued development of digital platforms and social media strategies, including content creation, online community engagement, and analytics tools. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities:
The capacity to analyze information, identify opportunities and challenges, and develop effective communication strategies. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement:
The ability to effectively collaborate with CREFC’s internal teams, members, partners, sponsors, and importantly the media. Relevant educational background:
Typically, a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field, with some roles preferring candidates with a master's degree or certifications like
the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) . Significant work experience:
Applicants are expected to have at least 7-10 years of experience in communications or public relations roles, often in leadership positions. Key Responsibilities Specific to the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council Developing and implementing communication strategies:
Crafting and executing comprehensive communication plans that align with the association's mission and objectives. This requires frequent engagement with CREFC’s President & CEO and COO, as well as the appropriate staffers. Managing both internal and external communications:
Ensuring consistent messaging and effectiveness across various channels, including newsletters, websites, social media, and press releases. Media relations and public relations: Building and maintaining relationships with key journalists, coordinating press inquiries, and distributing press releases and other materials related to significant CREFC developments and actions. Brand management:
Maintaining the association's brand identity, overseeing the development of creative content, and developing protocols that ensure adherence to CREFC brand guidelines. Stakeholder engagement:
Fostering relationships with members, partners, sponsors, policymakers, and other relevant audiences. Crisis communication:
Leading the response to crises withing the CRE finance markets and within CREFC when applicable and managing the flow of information to stakeholders,
according to AvaHR . Content creation and management:
Overseeing the creation of engaging content for various platforms, including websites, social media, and publications. Digital marketing and social media:
Leading digital marketing initiatives, including SEO, email marketing, and social media engagement. Monitoring and analysis:
Tracking and reporting on the performance of communication initiatives using data and analytics. Budget management:
Planning and overseeing communication budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources. Policy and legislative engagement (for some roles):
Collaborating with policy teams and legislative stakeholders to advocate for the association's positions and communicate policy developments. In sum, a trade association communications director for CREFC will serve as a strategic communicator, orchestrating various communication efforts within CREFC leadership and staff to enhance the association's visibility, reputation, and engagement with its diverse stakeholders.
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Exceptional written and verbal communication skills:
The ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling messages for various audiences and platforms. Strong understanding of communications strategies:
Expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive communication plans that align with the association's objectives and serve to ensure that all CREFC members are updated on new projects and focus areas, whether it be in the financial markets or on Capitol Hill. Media relations expertise:
Proven track record in building and nurturing relationships with journalists and media outlets, managing media inquiries, and coordinating press conferences and events. Crisis communication and management skills:
The ability to handle unexpected and challenging situations with professionalism, and developing and executing crisis communication plans to mitigate any potential reputational damage. Branding and reputation management:
Experience in building and maintaining a positive brand image and ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms. Digital communication proficiency:
Strong understanding and continued development of digital platforms and social media strategies, including content creation, online community engagement, and analytics tools. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities:
The capacity to analyze information, identify opportunities and challenges, and develop effective communication strategies. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement:
The ability to effectively collaborate with CREFC’s internal teams, members, partners, sponsors, and importantly the media. Relevant educational background:
Typically, a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field, with some roles preferring candidates with a master's degree or certifications like
the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) . Significant work experience:
Applicants are expected to have at least 7-10 years of experience in communications or public relations roles, often in leadership positions. Key Responsibilities Specific to the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council Developing and implementing communication strategies:
Crafting and executing comprehensive communication plans that align with the association's mission and objectives. This requires frequent engagement with CREFC’s President & CEO and COO, as well as the appropriate staffers. Managing both internal and external communications:
Ensuring consistent messaging and effectiveness across various channels, including newsletters, websites, social media, and press releases. Media relations and public relations: Building and maintaining relationships with key journalists, coordinating press inquiries, and distributing press releases and other materials related to significant CREFC developments and actions. Brand management:
Maintaining the association's brand identity, overseeing the development of creative content, and developing protocols that ensure adherence to CREFC brand guidelines. Stakeholder engagement:
Fostering relationships with members, partners, sponsors, policymakers, and other relevant audiences. Crisis communication:
Leading the response to crises withing the CRE finance markets and within CREFC when applicable and managing the flow of information to stakeholders,
according to AvaHR . Content creation and management:
Overseeing the creation of engaging content for various platforms, including websites, social media, and publications. Digital marketing and social media:
Leading digital marketing initiatives, including SEO, email marketing, and social media engagement. Monitoring and analysis:
Tracking and reporting on the performance of communication initiatives using data and analytics. Budget management:
Planning and overseeing communication budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources. Policy and legislative engagement (for some roles):
Collaborating with policy teams and legislative stakeholders to advocate for the association's positions and communicate policy developments. In sum, a trade association communications director for CREFC will serve as a strategic communicator, orchestrating various communication efforts within CREFC leadership and staff to enhance the association's visibility, reputation, and engagement with its diverse stakeholders.
#J-18808-Ljbffr