📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
🔹 Company: Capital One
🔹 Location: McLean, VA (with remote flexibility)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Corporate Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 7+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with remote flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic communications leadership for a major financial institution
- Collaboration with internal partners and agencies to develop and implement integrated communications campaigns
- Media relations and reputation management for a high-profile brand
- Data-driven storytelling and measurement to drive business outcomes
- Crisis management and issue navigation
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of financial services, corporate communications, and media relations. Candidates should have experience working with national brands and be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as a strategic counselor and lead integrator, providing communications-related counsel to business, marketing, and brand partners, including executives and peers
✅ Lead multiple projects and build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
✅ Collaborate with partners to develop and implement high-impact integrated programming that drives awareness and shifts perception among key target audiences
✅ Lead with a research/data-driven storytelling mindset, and measurement and analytical thinking to drive impact
✅ Identify white space to lead and deliver data and insights initiatives as a strategy to support storytelling, including thought leadership
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, judgment, teamwork, and results focus. Candidates should have previous experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder communications initiatives with measurable results.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or military experience
Experience: At least 7 years of experience in financial services communications, a communications role in an agency environment working with financial services clients, or any combination of the two
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Ability to articulate the nuances of Capital One’s products and services across multiple audiences
- Ability to navigate key industry issues and news drivers
- Proven ability to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Skills:
- At least 8 years of experience working in communications for a national brand or financial services company
- At least 8 years of media relations experience, reputation or crisis management PR experience, and content strategy and development
- Experience working within a Fortune 500 company
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor's degree is required, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Candidates with a strong portfolio and proven track record may be given preference.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $154,600 - $176,400 (McLean, VA) | $168,700 - $192,500 (New York, NY) | $140,600 - $160,400 (Plano, TX & Richmond, VA)
Benefits:
- Health, financial, and other benefits
- Performance-based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long-term incentives (LTI)
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the location and experience level. The actual salary offered may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's discretion.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1988 (as OakStone Financial Services, Inc.)
Company Description:
- Capital One is a diversified bank that offers a broad array of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients
- Known for its innovative use of technology and data-driven approach to banking
- Committed to providing exceptional customer service and helping customers achieve their financial goals
Company Specialties:
- Credit Cards
- Banking
- Loans
- Investment Services
Company Website: Capital One
ASSUMPTION: Capital One is a well-established financial institution with a strong brand and a reputation for innovation. Candidates should be comfortable working in a large, complex organization with a focus on technology and data.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior Manager
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Corporate Communications
Work Arrangement: On-site with remote flexibility
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead larger teams or take on broader responsibilities within the communications function
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
- Access to professional development and training opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate. Candidates should be proactive in seeking out new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office spaces with on-site amenities
Office Location(s): McLean, VA (headquarters), with additional offices in Plano, TX, Richmond, VA, and New York, NY
Geographic Context:
- McLean, VA: Suburban area near Washington, D.C., with a mix of urban and rural surroundings
- Plano, TX: Suburban area near Dallas, TX, with a mix of urban and rural surroundings
- Richmond, VA: Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with a mix of urban and rural surroundings
- New York, NY: Urban environment with diverse neighborhoods and cultural attractions
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in an office environment and be able to commute to the office as needed. Remote work flexibility is available but may be limited based on business needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth behavioral interview with the hiring manager and a panel of stakeholders
- Final interview with the Head of Corporate Communications
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Media relations and crisis management experience
- Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with stakeholders
- Data-driven mindset and analytical skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial services communications, media relations, and crisis management
- Showcase your ability to think strategically and drive results through your past projects and achievements
- Demonstrate your understanding of Capital One's brand and business by researching the company and preparing thoughtful questions
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Crisis Management, Data-Driven Storytelling, Team Collaboration, Reputation Management, Presentation Skills, Judgment, Adaptability, Problem Solving, Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Analytical Thinking
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience and accomplishments in detail and provide specific examples of their work.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Muck Rack, Critical Mention, Brand24)
- Crisis management software (e.g., OnSolve, Navigate360)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable using a range of tools and technologies to support their work. Familiarity with financial services-specific tools and platforms is a plus.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Do the right thing
- Make it easy
- Leverage technology and data
- Never settle
- Get better every day
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-focused and action-oriented
- Innovative and creative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Capital One's values, particularly 'Do the right thing' and 'Never settle'?
- How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with tight deadlines?
- How do you approach problem-solving and decision-making in a data-driven context?
ASSUMPTION: Capital One values candidates who are aligned with their core values and can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Candidates should be comfortable working with data and technology to drive results and be proactive in seeking out new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities
- Navigating complex, multi-stakeholder communications initiatives with competing interests
- Managing crises and issues in real-time, often with limited information
- Adapting to changes in the business and communications landscape
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term planning with tactical, day-to-day execution
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, judgment, teamwork, and adaptability. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to manage multiple priorities and competing interests.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to related roles in corporate communications, this role places a greater emphasis on media relations, crisis management, and data-driven storytelling
- Financial services-specific experience is highly valued in this role, as is a deep understanding of the industry and its key players
- Career progression in this role may lead to broader responsibilities within the communications function or opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate. Candidates should be proactive in seeking out new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications plan for a major product launch or rebranding initiative
- Managing a high-profile crisis or issue, including media outreach, messaging, and stakeholder engagement
- Creating and implementing a data-driven storytelling strategy to drive brand awareness and engagement
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are illustrative of the types of initiatives a candidate in this role might work on. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and provide specific examples of their work.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader communications strategy for the company?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the communications function in the next 12-24 months, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its communications team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
- How does the company approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its communications and overall business strategy?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the team they will be working with. Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful, insightful questions that demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your interview by researching Capital One's brand, business, and industry trends
- Be ready to discuss your experience with financial services communications, media relations, and crisis management
- Demonstrate your ability to think strategically and drive results through your past projects and achievements
- Follow up with the hiring manager within 24 hours after your interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
