Brand Communications Program Manager

The Brand Communications Program Manager is a key role that shapes Desert Financial’s brand reputation and member experience through strategic, high-impact communications. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy to plan, develop, and execute engaging, high-quality external communications for Desert Financial and its subsidiaries, while also strengthening the technical execution of public relations efforts (process, tools, measurement, and readiness). Working cross-functionally and in partnership with senior leadership, this position provides counsel and delivers communication solutions that support organizational priorities.

What you will do here:

Public Relations: Leads day-to-day PR technical execution and operations, including monitoring daily media coverage; maintaining and governing press materials (newsroom/press kit assets, boilerplate, FAQs); coordinating media responses; and supporting media engagements. Partners with the Brand Communications team and external PR agency to develop press releases, media advisories, and briefing documents aligned to the Credit Union’s brand and voice, while ensuring strong process discipline, stakeholder coordination, and timely approvals. Establishes and tracks PR performance metrics, maintains media lists and tools, and supports crisis communications readiness through documentation, playbooks, and escalation protocols.

Executive Communications: Partners with senior leaders to strengthen executive communications strategy and day-to-day execution, including developing high-quality engagement materials and supporting leadership social channels with message discipline and brand alignment. Manages end-to-end coordination for speaking engagements and public appearances (intake, scheduling, briefing, logistics, approvals, and follow-up), ensuring leaders are equipped with concise, audience-specific talking points, backgrounders, FAQs, and key-message frameworks. Maintains repeatable processes and templates to support consistency, speed, and quality across executive communications.

Manages the awards and sponsorship programs by researching opportunities, coordinating submission materials, managing event participation, and tracking deadlines.

Supports Brand Communications team with executive, emergency, and strategy campaign communications as needed

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

What you will need:

High School Diploma or GED required.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or business-related field preferred.

A combination of equivalent experience and education required.

2+ year of PR, communications, copywriting, editing, and/or social media experience required.

Demonstrated competence in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PhotoShop and Canva required.

Skills in organization, attention to detail, critical thinking, and business acumen required.

Excellent written and oral communication skills required.

A high level of time management, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment required.

Well-developed interpersonal skills leading to courteously and effectively working with a diverse group of employees, leaders, visitors, and vendors. Team player; someone who can initiate tasks alone while also handling spontaneous tasks required.

Demonstrated ability to produce high quality work with tight deadlines required.

Ability to collaborate and work in a cross-functional environment. Ability to develop and maintain key business relationships required.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

For additional information about our organization, careers, and benefits visit: http://www.desertfinancial.com/careers.