📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Corporate Communications
🔹 Company: Capital One
🔹 Location: McLean, VA (Richmond, VA alternative)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Corporate Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Richmond and McLean offices)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic communications planning and execution
- Media relations and issues management
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement
- Data-driven decision making and campaign optimization
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and adaptability to navigate a complex, matrixed environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as a strategic advisor to internal leaders and partners on communications initiatives
✅ Lead planning and execution of data-backed, integrated communications campaigns aligned with enterprise and line-of-business priorities
✅ Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
✅ Drive media relations efforts to secure visibility in priority outlets
✅ Leverage data to evaluate results, extract insights, and optimize future programs
✅ Oversee team operations, including budgeting and development of best practices
✅ Stay informed about industry trends to inform and enhance communication strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing high-impact programs and requires strong leadership, judgment, teamwork, and results focus.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or military experience
Experience: At least 8 years of communications experience
Required Skills:
- Strategic communications planning
- Media relations and issues management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Campaign management
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Industry trend analysis
Preferred Skills:
- 9+ years of experience in public relations or communications, ideally within financial services, technology, or consumer brands
ASSUMPTION: Strong leadership, judgment, teamwork, and results focus are essential for success in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $168,000 - $210,900 USD (Richmond, VA: $168,000 - $191,700; McLean, VA: $184,800 - $210,900)
Benefits:
- Health, financial, and other benefits
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the location and experience level required for this role.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1986 (as a subsidiary of Signet Bank)
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 in the United States, Canada, and the UK.
- Known for its innovative use of technology and data-driven approach to banking.
- Committed to diversity, inclusion, and community involvement.
Company Specialties:
- Consumer Banking
- Credit Cards
- Auto Loans
- Business Banking
Company Website: www.capitalone.com
ASSUMPTION: Capital One's size and diversity enable it to offer a wide range of career opportunities and a dynamic work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role with significant impact on the organization's reputation and business objectives
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Corporate Communications and works closely with senior leaders across the enterprise
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the option to work from the Richmond or McLean office
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead larger teams or take on broader responsibilities as the company grows
- Opportunities to work on high-visibility projects and initiatives
- Access to professional development and training programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with on-site amenities
Office Location(s): 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102, US; 8020 Towers Crescent Dr, Vienna, VA 22182, US; 2 Bethesda METRO Center, Bethesda, MD 20814, US
Geographic Context:
- McLean, VA: Suburban area near Washington, D.C., with a mix of urban and rural environments
- Richmond, VA: Historic city with a blend of urban and suburban areas, known for its arts, culture, and outdoor activities
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday through Friday, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Capital One is dynamic, collaborative, and data-driven, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the talent acquisition team
- Interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Head of Corporate Communications
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Communication skills and presentation abilities
- Leadership and teamwork
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Industry knowledge and trends
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your past communications campaigns and their results
- Research Capital One's recent communications efforts and be ready to discuss them in your interview
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Media Relations, Data Analysis, Campaign Management, Budgeting, Industry Trends, Leadership, Teamwork
ASSUMPTION: The application process at Capital One is thorough and competitive, with a strong focus on finding the best fit for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- CRM (e.g., Salesforce)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies used in this role are standard for the communications industry and may vary based on the specific needs of the team and the organization.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Do the right thing
- Take care of each other
- Act with integrity
- Make things better
- Be curious
- Own your work
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Data-driven and analytical
- Innovative and creative
- Results-focused and action-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Capital One's core values?
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders?
- How do you stay informed about industry trends and adapt your strategies accordingly?
ASSUMPTION: Capital One values diversity, inclusion, and a strong work-life balance, with a focus on supporting its employees' personal and professional growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing high-impact programs and initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Navigating a complex, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders
- Keeping up with industry trends and adapting communication strategies accordingly
- Balancing the needs of various internal and external stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to a senior leadership role in corporate communications and require strong leadership, judgment, and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to related roles in other organizations, this position offers a broader range of responsibilities and a higher level of strategic influence
- Capital One's size and diversity enable it to offer a wider range of career opportunities and growth potential
- This role may have more direct impact on the organization's reputation and business objectives than similar roles in smaller organizations
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic influence, cross-functional collaboration, and growth potential within the corporate communications field.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for a major product launch
- Managing a crisis communications response to a high-profile issue
- Creating and implementing a data-driven approach to measuring and optimizing communications campaigns
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of responsibilities for this role, requiring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term communications strategy?
- What are the most pressing communications challenges facing the company, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the team collaborate with other departments and senior leadership to drive business objectives?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the team and the organization?
- How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being?
ASSUMPTION: These questions help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the organization, enabling them to make a more informed decision about their fit for the position.
📌 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
- Prepare examples of your past communications campaigns and their results
- Research Capital One's recent communications efforts and be ready to discuss them in your interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
