Description
Communications Specialist
My client is a leading Financial Services organisation based in Birmingham City Centre. They are looking to recruit a Communications Specialist for contract opportunity (3-6 months). The rate being offered is competitive.
Role Description - Summary:
The communications programme is a key enabler to providing transparency and understanding into how day-to-day employee work aligns with the objectives and the strategic direction of the organisation. The Communications Specialist will be responsible for protecting and promoting the divisional value proposition to clients, leveraging multi-channel strategies, in accordance with DB policies and brand guidelines. The Communications Specialist will be responsible for leveraging technology and innovation to optimise the use of new engagement methodologies and interactive channels fostering collaboration to solve real business issues, the integration of knowledge management practices and to drive high performance.
Responsibilities/Tasks:
Business Leadership
*Aligns strategic direction and objectives of communications to the divisional strategy and ensures implementation.
*Actively supports and communicates the global strategy, plans and values driving a high performance culture and supporting efficient decision making.
*Works closely with local/regional/business leaders to develop key messages based on organisational/product strategy and design and builds and executes supporting engagement/communication strategies
*Builds and maintains diverse relationships inside and outside Deutsche Bank.
*Collaborates with colleagues and influences activities to achieve positive outcomes in the interests of the business.
*Promotes collaboration - involving clients, employees and vendor partners. Works as an integrated member of the Communications team, integrating and aligning plans.
*Drives engagement through motivating, consistent, timely and accurate communications within division based on a clear understanding of employee and stakeholder needs.
*Raises division profile and promotes success within DB and the external world.
*Leads and co-ordinate global, local and regional communications events as required
*Leads the planning and management of regional or local communications budgets.
*Implements and monitors processes, tools and systems to drive high performance of the function.
People Management
*Promotes an environment where people management and development is the number one priority. Empowers, manages, coaches and mentors direct reports. Drives the achievement of high performance through effective career management, providing equitable opportunities, succession planning and effective talent management.
*Acts as a management role model, ensuring every team member has regular performance reviews and receives constructive feedback, nurturing talent and fostering diversity.
*Ensures timely evaluation and delivery of Management Information to meet regular and ad hoc requests.
Communications channel development and delivery
*Implements and evaluates a channel strategy and plan that supports the delivery of Communications' strategic objectives. Provide leadership for channel innovation, creativity and development, evaluates and implements new communication channels and media.
*Ensures the effective planning, management, production and delivery of all types of channels that reach diverse audiences across the business; ensuring channel availability at all required times, including out of hours for crisis communication.
*Advises stakeholders on the best communication channels and on content development eg crafting messages and stories, use of language, tone of voice, interpreting messages for specific audience groups
*Champions the communications channels, ensuring effective planning and scheduling of content to secure relevant, up to date content for all areas at all times.
*Creates an online strategy, delivering innovative contribution to articles and content - ensuring all information loaded to website is checked on a monthly basis and updated accordingly.
*Supports Leadership with their internal announcements and provides direction for events management, including local Town Halls.
*Leads management of relationships with approved communications vendors, ensuring the effectiveness of service delivery. Regularly reviews of vendor performance/reports against agreed performance measures. Seeks cost and efficiency savings. Contributes to selection of, and manage external suppliers to quality standards and to budget. Ensures vendor management policy is being adhered to within the Communications team.
Control and Governance
*Ensures accurate drafting and appropriate sign off for content, ensuring alignment of strategic messages with business messages to create integrated communication
*Ensures quality control and delivers effective management of risk, governance, compliance and control issues within the team with zero defects.
*Works with the corporate communications to ensure compliance with brand guidelines.
*Plans and controls communications budget.
Monitoring and Measurement
*Applies appropriate measurement and evaluation mechanisms, implementing changes to create a cycle of continuous improvement
*Evaluates the reach, efficiency and effectiveness of channels in achieving strategic objectives.
Experience/Exposure:
*Experience of developing and delivering the full range of communication channels, combining innovation and adoption of new approaches with cost effective delivery; technical competence to produce and deliver content for all channels and to effectively brief others to do same
*Experience of complex project management - conceiving, planning and managing the delivery of high impact communication campaigns and projects to tight timescales and leading internal teams and external suppliers to deliver to high standards
*Managing teams by getting the best out of people utilizing skills, strengths and experience.
*Motivating others to deliver great communication content through effective channels
*Demonstrable business knowledge and understanding, with the ability to discuss complex business issues and strategies with senior level colleagues and to advise on communication approaches to deliver business priorities.
*Excellent written and verbal communications skills with a clear flair for writing. Fluent in English language.
*Strong interpersonal skills - excellent negotiation, communication (oral and written), relationship management and influencing skills at a senior level
*Strong team leader, able to work in global, virtual teams in a Matrix organization
*Communication measurement and evaluation processes - qualitative and quantitative
*Experience in managing a Communications function within a global organisation.
*Experience working in a multi-cultural environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
*Change management experience
Education/Certification:
*Bachelor Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing (or similar qualification/or prior work experience in internal/marketing communications.)