Associate Director of Communications

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead strategic communications with a wide range of key external and internal stakeholders to enhance corporate reputation, enhance stakeholder transparency, promote the Group’s business and transformation strategies, articulate the company’s vision and thought leadership, and to ensure message alignment throughout the Group.
• Lead all facets of corporate communications globally, including consumer and customer communications, corporate affairs, and executive communications. 
• Ensure articulation of our brand’s desired image and position appeals to different market segments to maximize the impact of audience-focused corporate branding campaigns.
• Be a key voice within our organization, providing a strong point-of-view and collaborating cross-functionally with internal and external teams to shape communications strategy and craft compelling messaging.
• Formulating online, offline, and through the line marketing strategies to increase overall, regional, segmental or business unit level brand awareness, and to drive directions for annual, seasonal or ad hoc communication initiatives and projects. 
• Spearhead media relations strategy that delivers a steady drumbeat of quality corporate and company driven campaign coverage.  
• Build and enhance strategic media relationships, develop a proactive and engaging media outreach plan, and act as the chief point of contact for external media in a professional and timely manner.
• Manages full lifecycle of event communications: strategy, drafting, design, and distribution of invitations. Includes audience targeting, message tailoring, list management, design coordination, timely delivery, and RSVP tracking.
• Cultivate robust and productive relationships with local communities and key opinion leaders. Manage ambassadors, celebrities, and influencers to secure visibility and opportunities for the company within the market.
• Champion initiatives to enhance and promote company internal communications, including coordination of management townhalls and leadership sessions, development and promotion of internal communication guidelines and best practice,  and enhancement of internal communications technologies and tools.
• Proactively identify and manage communication, branding or corporate image related issues before and/or as they arise, ensuring customers, media, and other key stakeholders are well informed and well managed should issues arise that require a public response.
• Implement and oversee the enforcement of guidelines for coordinating responses to and best practices for managing critical issues or incidents which may impact the company’s business, branding or reputation, including promoting the company’s awareness of and sensitivity to social, political and other external issues which may impact the company and/or its employees, customers, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Through strategic expansion, planning, hiring, and development, shape the future of the company's communication function globally, both in-house and via external agencies.

Requirements:

• Bachelor Degree holder in Marketing, Communications, Business Management or other relevant disciplines.
• 8+ years of relevant experience, of which at least 5-6 years in managerial roles, and with proven track record in communication, public affairs, branding and crisis management.
• Experience as a senior practitioner of technology communications with a strong track record delivering measurable brand and business value; in-house experience preferred.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Chinese and English is a prerequisite for this role.
• Solid capability in understanding the dynamics of economic and political development as well as public sentiments, and with sensitivity to related impact and potential opportunities or risks related to the Group.
• Experience managing social media channels and collaborating (or even managing) teams across time zones.
• Outstanding leadership skills with proven ability as a team leader, equipped to recruit, empower, develop extraordinary talent, and provide advice to the team that is aligned with the brand's goals and direction.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with ability to confidently and credibility deal with senior executives and key external stakeholders.
• Strong engagement and persuasive skills, ability to work with different stakeholders including internal stakeholders at all levels, across functions, and drive change.
• World-class strategic messaging ability with holistic and strategic thinking, as well as business acumen.
• Self-driven with strong attention to detail and a passion for communication management.
• Strong network and connection with media would be a definite advantage.
• Less experienced candidates will be considered as Senior Manager.