Senior Speechwriter, Executive Communications

Senior Speechwriter, Executive Communications

locations

Washington, District of Columbia

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Baltimore, Maryland

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Work From Home, USA

Full time

Job Family

Internal / Employee Communications

About Us 

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.  

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there. 

Who We Are 

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.  

Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. 

We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms. 

What We Do 

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. 

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide.* For more information, visit transamerica.com.  

Job Description Summary

The Senior Manager, Executive Communications will be responsible for building and executing plans that achieve the objectives set forward by executive leadership. This role will be require managing multiple drafts and opinions to produce executive quality communications. The Senior Communications Manager will report directly to Transamerica’s Chief Corporate Affairs officer and work directly with the company CEO and c-suite.

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Executive Communications will develop, execute, and measure executive and employee communications strategies. This person will work to help advance the company’s corporate reputation, drive employee alignment and engagement, and promote executive visibility in support of the company’s growth strategy. In partnership with the Brand and Public Affairs teams, the person will develop internal and external thought leadership platforms and content and manage speaking opportunities and preparation. The Senior Communications Manager will advise the CEO and leaders on a variety of complex company issues and ensure communications align with the company’s brand identity and foundational narrative.

Requirements:

• Able to communicate about far-reaching strategies for growth, technology initiatives, organizational change, and draw correlations in service to a cohesive employee experience.
• Craft and implement communication plans that clearly articulate objectives, strategies and tactics.
• Serve as a trusted partner on routine, sensitive and confidential messages.
• Partner closely with the CEO on strategic messaging for internal meetings, written messages, external speaking engagements, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Discern and reflect the CEO voice in their messages.
• Work closely with the business on the design and execution of town hall meetings that reflect and promote the company’s vision as well as specific business objectives; coordinate with event planners and HR to facilitate meetings that are relevant, engaging and effective from both a leadership and employee perspective.
• Improve employee and executive communications efficiencies through process, tools and collaboration.
• Establish and maintain a dynamic network of subject matter experts and partners to enable quick and effective problem-solving.
• Perform research before and after sensitive/significant messages; test assumptions about clarity and effectiveness and take steps to improve.
• Exert version control and manage input from multiple sources under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in challenging or ambiguous projects.
• Lead by example with clear direction, candid feedback and a communications style that results in trust and optimism.
• Exhibit sound independent judgment, a bias for action and a disciplined approach to the communications craft.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (English or journalism preferred but not required), or equivalent experience
• Ten years of experience in employee/executive communications and/or related disciplines.
• Speechwriting and media relations experience preferred.
• At least five years in a senior communications role.
• Senior experience in directing a team to deliver unified messages to targeted audiences, based on the highest creative standards, and sound creative judgment
• Interpersonal skills to establish rapport, credibility and collaborative relationships at a senior level, across Transamerica.
• Superior verbal, writing, editing, and proofreading skills (writing samples and writing test are part of the interview process)
• Ability to effectively organize material, distill complex ideas, and write lively and appealing content in a variety of voices
• Ability to engage effectively in leadership meetings and direct productive discussions on communication objectives and activities
• Ability to quickly establish rapport with subject matter experts and get up to speed on organizational structure, culture, programs, policies, etc.
• Project management skills and the ability to shift priorities based on business needs.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Change management skills and the ability to set priorities around constant change.
• Self-starter able to manage, train and mentor others.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office (including SharePoint).

Compensation:

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $120,000 - $135,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation in order to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer  

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees. 

Compensation Benefits 

• Competitive Pay 

• Bonus for Eligible Employees 

Benefits Package 

• Pension Plan 

• 401k Match

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Disability Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Employee Discounts

• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits 

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.

• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).

• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars 

• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.

• Adoption Assistance

• Employee Assistance Program

• College Coach Program

• Back-Up Care Program

• PTO for Volunteer Hours

• Employee Matching Gifts Program

• Employee Resource Groups

• Inclusion and Diversity Programs

• Employee Recognition Program

• Referral Bonus Programs