Job Description

About the Role:

The Senior Public Relations Manager is a key contributor in building a world-class communications function for one of the largest banks headquartered in the West. This highly visible role leads public relations and thought leadership for priority initiatives—shaping narratives, elevating leaders, and enhancing the bank’s visibility across regional and enterprise platforms.

This role owns PR strategy, execution, and measurement for key initiatives while providing critical support across the full spectrum of Corporate Communications work, including proactive and reactive media engagement, spokesperson training, issues management, and crisis communications. As a trusted advisor, the Senior Public Relations Manager partners closely with market leaders, lines of business, and cross-functional teams to deliver integrated communications programs that advance business objectives and strengthen brand reputation.

• Leads regionally focused PR and thought leadership initiatives as part of a cross-functional team in support of the bank’s overall business objectives: Develops and executes strategic PR plans and advises business and market leaders on priority initiatives. These include market and line of business expansions, national/regional awards program, company milestones and achievements, product launches, and strategic partnerships.

• Builds strong working relationships with leaders across the bank to drive market and line of business focused PR strategies that showcase the expertise and impact of our people, raise bank visibility, and help strengthen our reputation in key markets.

• Develops thought leadership platforms for regional market and line of business leaders inclusive of earned media, authored content, panels and events, awards, etc.

• Plays a critical support role to the Director of Corporate Communications on enterprise-level initiatives, both proactive, positive PR for the bank and reactive external strategies and responses to emerging issues and crisis situations.

• Acts as a pro-active, creative member of the larger MarCom team; leads and/or supports important MarCom projects and initiatives that arise from new campaigns, sponsorships, in-market initiatives.

• Oversees the efficient and successful daily operation of the Corporate Communications Office: Serves as the gatekeeper of partner requests for information, news releases, articles, blogs and other content needs for lines of businesses, community partners and business vendors; develops and manage all related processes and protocols; conducts internal research and recommends media response strategy for information or comment requests to the Director of Corporate Communications; leads the reporting function for the office and provides expert recommendations for planning and strategy, etc.

• Researches, monitors, and advises on emerging external/industry reputational risks; reports findings, recommends approach, initiates messaging, elevates to internal stakeholders as appropriate.

• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities – knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes.

• Follows all bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.

• Maintain a working knowledge of bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description.

• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.

• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.

• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.

• Embraces our vision to become “Business Bank of Choice”.

• May perform other duties as assigned.

About You:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English or related field, or equivalent work experience required.

• 8-10+ years of progressive experience leading public relations and strategic communications across media relations, thought leadership, and issues/crisis response, preferably within the financial services industry required.

• Proven media relations expertise, including cultivating priority media relationships, securing earned media, preparing senior leaders for interviews, and crafting publication-ready content.

• Strong command of financial topics, with the ability to quickly develop and articulate clear points of view for internal and external audiences.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated experience shaping thought leadership strategy and developing high-impact content.

• Strong ability to identify “through lines” in corporate storytelling and translate them into compelling narratives, pitches, and communications strategies.

• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and media monitoring/reporting tools (e.g., Cision, PRN, Muck Rack, Meltwater, Hootsuite).

• Proven crisis communications and issues management capability, including rapid assessment, message development, stakeholder alignment, and coordination of timely internal/external responses.

• Strong knowledge of emerging communications trends and best practices, including the responsible use of AI tools in content development and workflow.

• Demonstrated leadership ability at all levels of the organization, with the ability to bring people together and drive collaboration on both short- and long-term projects.

• Occasional travel may be required.

The pay range for this role is $115,000 - $130,000.

The pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation, and those details will be provided during the recruitment process.

Primary Location: Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

805 SW Broadway Floor 2 Portland OR 97205-3300

Our Benefits:

We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits.

We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays. Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Columbia Bank is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to employing, engaging, and developing a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other applicable protected status or characteristics. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview(s), please let us know by email: careers@columbiabank.com

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:

Our posted job opportunities are only intended for individuals seeking employment at Columbia Bank. Columbia Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies and Columbia Bank will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resume submissions. Staffing and recruiting agencies are not authorized to submit profiles, applications, or resumes to this site or to any Columbia Bank employee and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited unless requested directly by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.