Communications Specialist

Combined Insurance, a Chubb Company is seeking a Communications Specialist to join our fast-paced, high energy, and growing company. For nearly 100 years in the insurance industry, our company has been passionate about serving our customers and providing them peace of mind and protection when they need it the most. Come build your career here, along with other positive, hard-working, talented professionals—just like you!

JOB SUMMARY:

This role is responsible for developing communications, both internally (employee communications) and externally (public relations), as well as event planning and other activities within a highly dynamic Corporate Communications function.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Public Relations

• Writes a variety of PR copy, such as: news releases, media alerts, articles, case studies, thought leadership articles, blogs, etc. 
• Partners with Communications and other business leaders to provide recommendations on external communication opportunities and overall strategy in support of the business objectives. 
• Monitors press coverage and continuously seeks PR opportunities to enhance Combined Insurance’s brand positioning. 
• Manages the overall PR calendar, media contacts, and other company networking/PR opportunities/contacts, and databases such as Cision and PR Newswire. 
• Creates PR Dashboard or other visual that captures PR metrics and coverage 
• Partners with Social Media to assist with blog writing, employee/consumer review responses, photography, and other. 
• Attends PR/networking and company-sponsored events as a PR representative for Combined Insurance.

Internal Communications

• Develops timely, relevant, and high impact internal communications, which includes employee articles, organizational announcements, social/intranet posts, presentations, and more. 
• Writes compelling employee communications. 
• Proofreads documents to verify accuracy and effectiveness in conveying the necessary key messages. 
• Responsible for creating communication plans (i.e., stakeholders, audience, vehicles, calendar/timelines) aligned with the communications/business strategy. 
• Partners with Communications and other business leaders to provide recommendations on internal communications related to corporate and/or the field sales organization. 
• Demonstrates strong editing skills and ability to check for grammar, spelling, and typographical errors. 
• Owns content, story ideas, and acts as lead writer for the bi-weekly Combined Insurance employee newsletter. 
• Researches new, innovative, and Best Practice methods to enhance internal communications. 
• Leverages employee feedback channels, monitors real-time feedback, analyzes data, and makes recommendations to continuously improve communication approaches. 
• Coordinates employee/internal communication and community relations events, as a key event planner on the team. 
• Serves as communications liaison for social committee groups. 
• Drives key programs promoted by parent company Chubb – wellness, diversity, or other related initiatives that impact employees.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Outstanding written communication skills—writes creative, compelling, and grammatically correct communications, which incorporate key messages for the intended audience. 
• Excellent research skills to be used as a basis for story development and content. 
• Has a strong professional and positive presence/image that represents the Combined Insurance brand, both internally and externally. 
• Ability to solve problems and handle complex details. 
• Uses independent judgment and takes initiative in absence of specific directions. 
• Must have strong personal drive and initiative. 
• Multi-tasking orientation to handle a number of projects at once, while remaining flexible to changing business requirements and priorities. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills with high attention to detail. 
• Ability to meet deadlines to ensure communication materials and information are delivered in a timely manner. 
• Must be a team player and demonstrate the ability to collaborate/partner with all levels in the organization. 
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with a good sense for presentation, layout, and design. 
• A knowledge of local Chicago media contacts/publications preferred. 
• High skill level and orientation towards technology.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; preferred degree in public relations, communications, journalism 
• 2+ years of experience in a communications role at a PR agency or internal corporate communications department

OUR BENEFITS:

As a Combined corporate employee, you have access to one of the most comprehensive benefit plans in the business, designed to meet your needs and help you reach your financial goals. Our Company is committed to supporting its employees with a comprehensive compensation package that is appropriate in the market where they work. Below are several of the many benefits we offer our employees:

• Health insurance 
• Dental insurance 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• A company-match 401(k) plan 
• Disability insurance 
• Life insurance 
• Employee referral bonuses