AVP External Communications

Join our team - and take the next step in achieving a fulfilling career!

What We Do

At CardWorks, we aim to help people connect with possibility and opportunity using our financial servicing expertise. Building meaningful, long-term relationships with consumers, our employees, and our clients is what matters most.

Who We Are

CardWorks, Inc. is a diversified consumer finance service provider and parent company of CardWorks Servicing, LLC, Merrick Bank and Carson Smithfield, LLC.

CardWorks Servicing, LLC provides end-to end operational servicing functions for credit cards, secured cards, and installment loans. We service consumer and small business loans across the credit spectrum and offers backup servicing and due diligence services to capital providers and trustees.

Merrick Bank is an FDIC-insured Utah Industrial Loan Bank. Merrick operates three main business lines: credit cards, recreational lending, and merchant services.

Carson Smithfield, LLC provides a variety of post-charge-off debt recovery services, including digital self-service, IVR, live agent, and external agency management.

CardWorks is embarking on a transformative journey to elevate our brand, enhance stakeholder awareness, and position the company for long-term growth. This is an exciting time to join our team and help drive our external storytelling.

Position Summary

We’re seeking an Assistant Vice President, External Communications to lead key initiatives that amplify CardWorks’ brand, company awareness and reputation. This role is ideal for a strategic yet hands-on communications leader who thrives in high-growth environments, is passionate about storytelling, and can creatively translate complex financial topics into compelling narratives.

You’ll be a high-performing writer, strategist, and collaborator - someone who rolls up their sleeves, loves building consensus, and brings fresh thinking to media relations, thought leadership, research, corporate reputation, and executive visibility. The ideal candidate is a fast thinker, influencer, communicator and a team player who can guide stakeholders, navigate complexity, and turn challenges into opportunities. This role will partner with Internal Communication colleagues and business leadership across the company, as well as business stakeholders sharing our stories more broadly across the fintech, banking and credit card industries.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations & Thought Leadership

• Develop and execute media relations strategies that deepen awareness of CardWorks, Merrick Bank, and our branded credit cards (Merrick Bank & Ollo) across key national, financial, trade, and consumer press.
• Execute comprehensive awards submission program to elevate brand awareness and industry credibility.
• Identify conferences for company’s participation.
• Create compelling pitches, press releases, bylines, op-eds, and other media materials.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key journalists, podcasters, and influencers.
• Drive proactive storytelling tied to business priorities, credit access, financial inclusion, and regulatory trends.

Content & Research

• Partner with internal teams and external research firms to develop branded research (surveys, whitepapers, studies) that position the company as a leader in consumer finance and near-prime credit.
• Transform insights into content that fuels media coverage, investor interest, and B2B awareness.

Executive Visibility

• Support external platforms for senior leadership including CEO interviews, LinkedIn content, speaker opportunities, and awards programs.
• Develop messaging and briefing documents to ensure executives shine across media and public appearances.

Reputation Management

• Support response strategies related to issues, risks, crises, or regulatory shifts.
• Help build the corporate narrative and messaging architecture.

Collaboration & Strategy

• Work cross-functionally with internal partners across Legal, Investor Relations, HR, Marketing, Risk, and Product to ensure alignment on external communications.
• Bring fresh perspective and "outside the box" thinking to continuously evolve our approach.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) + years of experience in media relations, public relations, corporate communications, journalism, or related fields, preferably in financial services, fintech, payments, or regulated industries.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or Business, required. Masters degree, a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver earned media results at the national and trade level.
• Experience creating strategic communications plans and executing hands-on deliverables.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with an ear for brand voice and accuracy.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills; proven ability to build consensus in matrixed environments.
• Self-starter who brings both creative and critical thinking to the table.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced organization.

The salary range for this position, if located in NY Metro/NY State is $130,000 to $175,000. However, please note that the salary range will vary for other geographic areas.

#INDHP

Our Employee Value Proposition

• Competitive Pay, including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
• Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Programs
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

We offer a total rewards package comprised of a competitive base rate of pay, variable pay incentive programs based on the role, and a comprehensive benefit suite. Offered rates of pay are determined based on job-related knowledge, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and geographic location.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We will conduct a thorough background check for all hires in compliance with applicable.