About UCU
Ukrainian Credit Union Limited (UCU) is a Canadian financial institution providing a full range of products and services to its members. We are among the largest credit unions in Ontario and 16 branch and service locations. For 80 years, UCU has served its broader community by supporting the growth of Ukrainian cultural, educational, and community life in Canada.
Position Summary
The Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications is a senior leadership position responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive marketing, communications, sponsorship and member strategies that align with the organization’s overall goals and objectives. The role is also responsible for defining and communicating the vision, mission and values as well as its positioning and value proposition in the marketplace. Lead cross-functional teams to innovate and develop products from conception to launch, while also managing the product lifecycle and making critical decisions on product features and enhancements. This role is a strategic blend of technical expertise, market foresight, and leadership, aimed at delivering products that resonate with customers and stand out in the competitive landscape. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills and a deep understanding of current marketing and communication trends within the banking sector. The goal is to build a client-focused culture, engage and enable leaders and employees, and build and protect the brand.
The Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications will oversee the following:
- Corporate Branding and Governance
- Product Development and Management
- Marketing and Communications
- Internal Communications
- Design of all corporate assets including digital, print, website and social media
- Marketing technologies including website, email marketing, Google analytics
- Media relations, and special events
Main Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing brand and integrated marketing team, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and collaboration.
- Lead brand strategy & vision. Develop and execute a comprehensive, customer centric, and forward-thinking brand strategy that aligns with UCU’s mission and long-term goals.
- Act as a senior advisor and thought leader within the organization, providing strategic guidance on brand, product and marketing initiatives.
- Lead the development and execution of high-impact integrated marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness, consideration, and preference.
- Oversee the development and management of the organization’s brand identity, including brand voice, messaging, and visual guidelines including website and all external facing channels.
- Define the product vision and strategy in alignment with the company’s goals and market opportunities.
- Conduct market research to identify customer needs and emerging industry trends
- Establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product performance and inform future development
- Manage the product roadmap and prioritizing features based on business impact and customer value
- Manage and cultivate relationships with external agencies and partners to deliver best-in-class creative and media strategies.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for brand differentiation and growth.
- Present regular updates and strategic recommendations to the executive team and key stakeholders.
- Provide thought leadership to develop, recommend, integrate and implement new product/strategic solutions that drive incremental business, improve competitive positioning, and support UCU’s brand purpose while making a positive member impact.
- Ability to inspire and influence across the organizations to gain alignment and support. Strength in integration, facilitation, situational awareness, continual improvement, empowerment, and increasing transparency. Must be comfortable speaking and communicating with a Senior Executive audience
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with executives, internal teams, other UCU business units and external partners.
- Use consumer insights, demographic, economic, industry, regulatory and technology information and trends as well as competitive intelligence, and marketing best practices, performance insights to identify and action opportunities. Apply analytical and integration skills to produce data-driven insights, business cases, operational and risk assessments to support strategies and recommendations.
Education and Experience
- Business or marketing-related degree or equivalent professional qualification
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English) and basic level of Ukrainian language proficiency
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Extensive experience working with Directors and VPs across various functions, with a strong ability to influence and drive alignment
- Value Creation: Demonstrated ability to drive value creation and identify new opportunities to grow market segments
- Complex Business Acumen: Proven experience in complex business environments, bringing people together to evaluate risks and focus on delivering results
- Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate a strategic vision and roadmap, gaining support and sharing a compelling story in a clear and simple manner
- Persuasive Influence: A trusted advisor who listens, learns, and applies facts and data to articulate a compelling narrative
- Customer Focus: Relentlessly focused on our customers, anticipating their needs, and creating value through our products and services
- Insightful Analysis: Summarize insights in a way that facilitates decision-making and demonstrates critical thinking skills in complex analysis
- Relationship Building: Take a proactive approach to building relationships with stakeholders, showing good judgment in handling commercially sensitive information
- Program/Project Management: Proven experience in managing programs and projects, ensuring timely and successful delivery of key initiatives
Job Specifications
Experience and Skills
- Minimum ten years in progressively senior positions in credit and administration with five years at the senior management level. Experience in a financial cooperative or credit union environment preferred.
- Well-developed management skills particularly in the areas of planning, budgeting, communications and human resources management and development.
- Computer literate – working knowledge of Word, Outlook, PowerPoint with proficiency in Excel and Access and other applications typically used in a lending environment
- In-depth knowledge of credit union lending policies and procedures along with all applicable legislation and corporate bylaws.
- Bachelor’s degree or similar post-secondary designation.
- Bilingual – English and Ukrainian an asset.
- Travel to various credit union and meeting locations within the province is required
UCU is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please let us know.
We thank all applicants but only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
To learn more about UCU, please visit our website at https://www.ukrainiancu.com/