Our client is a global leader in financial services. You will be a key member of the central Communications function based in London, which is responsible for all communications and reputation management for at a corporate level and for each of its investment specialists IN London and EMEA. 

The communications manager (institutional) will support the head of international communications to:

• Manage the communications strategy in EMEA, focusing on institutional media.
• Create a selling environment via the media for EMEA’s distribution goals by maintaining targeted high-level positive media coverage.
• Build the reputation of in the institutional market via a proactive media relations programme and actively protect the company’s reputation.
• Manage regulatory communications alongside the head of international communications, including Gender Pay Gap, Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) and Brexit planning.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a deep understanding of the IM, its distribution business, the investment specialists and key people within them, with a particular emphasis on the institutional market.
• Ensure that communications and PR are embedded as a key component of the distribution business, specifically sales and marketing campaigns in line with key strategy priorities and industry themes through strategic, innovative and creative thinking.
• Proactively manage day-to-day PR activity for:
  • IM – Specifically the UK institutional areas (although there may be times when this individual will support on the intermediary/wholesale side).
  • International regions – assigned to the individual, although may change to gain further experience with other markets.
  • Investment specialists, with a steer to an institutional distribution bias.
• Manage a continual creative PR programme, provide counsel on PR strategy and ensure business continuity in relation to funds/strategies and fund managers
• Support fund managers and key spokespeople in engaging with the online and offline media.
• Develop and maintain strong and positive relationships internally and externally, including key journalists from across the media spectrum within the EMEA region.
• Provide solid counsel regarding the communications strategy, including reputational risk management
• Help ensure the IM communications function provides a value-add service internally and externally, this includes continual PR agency management.
• Help execute an effective internal communications strategy, through various platforms to converse with EMEA staff.
• Provide and produce regular reporting to key stakeholders, including IM distribution and the different investment specialists to increase connectivity and transparency of the IM communications function.
• Help to promote a best in class IM communications function by creating and maintaining operating practices.
• Ensure the EMEA Communications function adheres to regulatory and compliance requirements, supported by the Compliance Director, EMEA.

Core Competencies

• Proactive Approach
• Self-Starter
• Results Driven
• Enhancing Organisational Talent
• Embracing  Change
• Client Orientation
• Developing Partnerships.
• Decision Making
• Global Awareness     

2. Job Specific Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills, combining the ability to build effective networks of relations within the business, with online and offline media and suppliers.
• Strong communicator, who is articulate, dynamic, enthusiastic and a self-starter.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of meeting demands across a multiple of clients or business units.
• Understanding of the need to establish effective objectives and priorities, as well as management of expectations.
• Team player.
• Ability to deliver a high level of service to internal clients and well regarded amongst journalists.
• Fluency in European languages would be beneficial.
• Proven experience in institutional  media strategy preferred

 3. Technical Skills

• Previous experience in financial services, specifically asset management communications, including public relations is essential.
• Talented PR specialist, who is results driven with the ability to execute an effective communications plan.  Requires:
  • Knowledge of media within the UK/Europe and ideally some exposure to Middle East and Africa; and
  • Existing relationships with institutional/wholesale trade and personal finance journalists is essential in the UK, and ideally internationally.
• Good knowledge of different asset classes, including equities, fixed income and alternatives.
• Excellent communicator with experience in stakeholder relationship management at senior level, both internally and externally.
• Ability to run proactive media relations programmes to generate targeted positive high-level media coverage.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Experience to actively manage PR agencies in the UK and Europe to ensure value-add.
• Experience in crisis management issues to minimise reputational damage.
• Experience in event management and running proactive campaigns.
• Ability to deliver effective internal communications platforms across a business.

 4. Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent