Corporate Communications Senior Manager

Job description:
• Develop and execute the media strategy for company reflecting the global media strategy aligned to market unit business and marketing goals.
• Create content to support the local media strategy including news releases, blogs, bylines etc.
• Manage the public relations agency and other external partners as needed.
• Train and prepare local business leaders on working with the media.
• Play a leading role in local issues and crisis management.

Required skills and experience:
• Strong understanding of the technology and BPS services industries and trends.
• An understanding of emerging technology trends and a desire for learning about these.
• Ability to proactively ideate and think strategically to generate high impact media coverage in support of Accenture’s business priorities and key topics.
• Deep understanding of the local media landscape, and strong network and relationships.
• Strong communications skills including strong writing and editing skills and the ability to articulate the impact of complex technology trends for different audiences (press releases, talking points, Q&A, and other PR collateral).
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders on media strategy and win their trust and confidence.
• Experience of working in a matrixed, global organization, and collaborate with different global and local teams as to deliver to the marketing and comms objectives.
• Experience in issues and crisis management, and the ability to predict and preempt potential reputational risks.
• Ability to negotiate and build consensus to resolve complex challenges across teams both within Accenture and out with partners, clients or other stakeholders.
• Continuous learning mindset and the desire to acquire new skills to drive growth.
• Demonstrates leadership skills including the ability to inspire teams, ability to innovate, and deconstruct complex issues to find solutions.
• Ability to manage budgets with a focus on optimization.

Travel Expectations:
• Limited travel expected nationally.

Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or other university degree.
• Minimum of 15 years’ agency or in-house experience in PR/corporate communications in the technology and/ or professional services sectors.
• Experience of managing agencies / large teams and budgets.
• Crisis and issues management experience.
Knowledge and Skills Requirements:
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English. Superior writing capabilities are essential.
• Proven ability to quickly and concisely draft a wide range of clear, concise and high-quality media materials including news releases, media Q&As, media pitches, bylined articles, op-eds, etc.
• Detailed knowledge of media landscape and evidence of strong track record in technology media relations
• Broad understanding and skills in strategic marketing and communications, especially in B2B/ technology/ professional services
• Experience supporting major industry events
• Ability to interact and work closely with media contacts representing clients, alliance partners, third-party organisations, vendors, and others.
• Broad overall business acumen and knowledge of Accenture’s areas of business
• Strong project management, budget management and reporting skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Passion for executing deliverables and programmes that are of the highest quality, fully support company business strategy and are in line with or exceed leadership expectations
• Strong negotiation and conflict-management skills to resolve complex or disputed issues
• Ability to influence the highest levels of leadership within company large, matrixed organisation through relationship-building and strong executive-level presence
• Strong team skills—ability to work autonomously and independently yet integrate appropriately with Marketing + Communications colleagues across other service areas, client groups, geographies, capabilities and within corporate communications disciplines.
• Sense of humor.

Must Have:
• Bachelor’s degree or other university degree.
• Minimum of 15 years’ agency or in-house experience in media relations /corporate communications / public relations / corporate affairs.
• Experience in managing agencies and budgets.
• Strong communication skills including writing and editing.

Good to Have:
• Understanding of the technology and BPS services industries and trends.
• Understanding of emerging technology trends and a desire for learning about these.
• Understanding of the local media landscape, and strong network and relationships.
• Experience of working in a matrixed, global organization, and collaborate with different global and local teams as to deliver to the marketing and comms objectives.
• Experience in issues and crisis management, and the ability to predict and preempt potential reputational risks.
• Ability to negotiate and build consensus to resolve complex challenges across teams both within Accenture and out with partners, clients or other stakeholders.
• Continuous learning mindset and the desire to acquire new skills to drive growth.
• Demonstrates leadership skills including the ability to inspire teams, ability to innovate, and deconstruct complex issues to find solutions.
• Ability to advise senior stakeholders.