Description:
This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a respected global organization dedicated to advancing professional excellence in the investment industry.
You will play a crucial role in managing and executing external communications strategies that align with our organizational objectives. Reporting directly to the Head of Strategic Communications in New York, you will collaborate with our global communications team, regional stakeholders, and leadership to promote CFA Institute's educational products, research, advocacy, and standards.
The position can be based in London or Hong Kong SAR. Two positions will report into this new role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Media and External Communications: Lead and coordinate proactive media and external communications efforts across the regions, in coordination with the global Strategic Communications team, local societies, and colleagues across the organization (local and global).
- Agency management: Manage the PR agency in the regions (specifically agency teams in the UK, India, China, and Hong Kong SAR), providing regional input to shape the overall PR strategy, campaigns, and initiatives to drive positive media coverage across key markets.
- PR Strategy Development: Working in conjunction with the global team, develop and implement media relations plans for key markets, targeting coverage in leading media, i.e., mainstream “opinion-forming” financial media outlets, including print, online, and broadcast, plus media outlets and social media.
- Journalist Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists to ensure positive media coverage.
- Media Launches: Lead media launches for CFA Institute products, research, and company news across the regions. This involves coordinating, writing and distributing press releases, pitching, fielding enquiries, providing guidance to journalists and preparing briefings for executive spokespeople, including CEO and regional management
- Support Local PR Efforts: Collaborate with society leaders to support PR efforts in countries without agency support, ensuring consistent and effective communication.
- Strategic Messaging: Develop consistent messaging for external use, supporting the CEO and Leadership Team with media opportunities and speaking engagements as needed during travels to the respective regions.
- Crisis Management: Respond to media inquiries and manage crisis communications, ensuring alignment with corporate messaging and coordination with global teams.
Education/ Experience required:
- Bachelor's Degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism, communications, or business.
- Proven experience in corporate communications, media relations, or PR in a multinational environment (candidates with proven knowledge of the UK, India, China, and Hong Kong SAR markets will be preferred).
- Established network of journalism contacts in the industry.
- Strong knowledge of news mediums including traditional, social, and digital news channels.
- Strategic understanding of the investment industry and commercial business environment.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of additional languages is a plus.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle competing priorities.
- Strong judgment, business acumen, and the ability to build relationships with senior management.