External Communications Manager, Tax and Accounting Europe

Wolters Kluwer N.V.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000

Job description

External Communications Manager, Tax and Accounting Europe

The role of External Communications Manager, Europe will be a key member of the External Communications team. The External Communications Manager will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of highly effective communication strategies in support of the Tax & Accounting division’s mission and to advance awareness and impact of the organization.

The External Communications Manager will work across functional teams, as well as collaboratively with key stakeholders throughout the organization to develop strategic communication plans and related assets. The External Communications Manager will have a passion for proactive engagement with brand and reputation in earned media, and contribute to and develop strategic efforts across Europe.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Provide strategic communications counsel to the regional team across Europe as a talented external communications professional with an excellent sense of judgment and the ability to earn trust.
2. Execute comprehensive external communications/media relations strategies, plans, and activities in support of the TAA division in the UK/Europe region.
3. Manage and develop externally focused communications materials to include but not be limited to: press releases, stand-by statements, news alerts, media briefings, targeted emails to editors/reporters, FAQs, and by-lined articles.
4. Proactively pitch and engage with targeted reporters and media outlets to educate them on the TAA journey in the region and create greater visibility (via attributions) for the division and its business units regionally.
5. Partner closely with relevant Internal Communications/Marketing and other leaders, to ensure alignment with marketing messaging and initiatives.
6. Provide strategic counsel to executive leadership.
7. Leverage insights for stories to build external awareness, typically with media/analysts/influencers, ensuring integrated approach with Internal Communications.
8. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key media outlets, industry publications and other influencers - pitch stories to key publications with a planned and regular cadence.
9. Create media/analyst meeting opportunities for executives and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), in support of strategic divisional plans and objectives.
10. Manage award pitches and relevant analyst rankings nominations.
11. Monitor media and notify internal stakeholders of time-sensitive issues, events or coverage, mitigating negative coverage.
12. Govern and leverage external agency partners and vendors to ensure the provision of high impact, consistent and effective messaging.
13. Ability to develop and prepare detailed and meaningful activity reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Proven and demonstrable media relations/external communications experience (all within a corporate or public relations agency environment).
2. Existing set of strong media contacts across Tier 1 media, trade publications, and broadcast.
3. Strong overall media relations expertise including in-depth experience with relevant tools, tactics, strategies, data, reporting, and analytics.
4. Deep level of expertise in message development & content creation.
5. Outstanding communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal).
6. Adept at understanding and prioritizing complex information, reporting and requests.
7. Rigorous attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy, with exceptional research and analytical skills.
8. Exceptional organizational skills; must be able to juggle simultaneous projects.
9. A strong team ethic, keen to learn new skills, share expertise and accept feedback.
10. A highly motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently and take initiative.
11. Fluent English is essential and additional languages, an advantage.
12. BA/BS degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
13. Experience with crisis communications preferred.
14. Superb writing and editing skills and a strong sense of narrative and story-telling.
15. Excellent creative thinker, with an ability to quickly comprehend a breadth of information and simplify the communication.
16. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with all levels of management.