Communications Lead - London, United Kingdom - U.S. Bank

Description

At U.S. Bank, we're on a journey to do our best. Helping the customers and businesses we serve to make better and smarter financial decisions, enabling the communities we support to grow and succeed in the right ways, all more confidently and more often—that's what we call the courage to thrive. We believe it takes all of us to bring our shared ambition to life, and each person is unique in their potential. A career with U.S. Bank gives you a wide, ever-growing range of opportunities to discover what makes you thrive. Try new things, learn new skills and discover what you excel at—all from Day One.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, Elavon is committed to building the platforms and ecosystems that help over 1.5 million customers around the world to achieve their financial goals—no matter what they need. From transaction processing to customer service, to driving innovation and launching new products, we're building a range of tailored payment solutions powered by the latest technology. As part of our team, you can explore what motivates and energizes your career goals: partnering with our customers, our communities, and each other.

Job Description

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, Europe and Head of Global Communications for Merchant Payment Services, U.S. Bank, you will be responsible for shaping and executing our European communications and media relations strategy to elevate U.S. Bank's and Elavon's reputation, enhance new business opportunities, and build connections with internal and external audiences.

You will be experienced in public relations work across the communications mix executing external campaigns, developing digital channels and thought leadership, managing issues/crisis communications. You will have experience in building a communications strategy for multiple countries and managing vendors / PR agencies in multiple European markets. As a communications leader, you will thrive working within global matrixed organisations as an effective and trusted partner to senior leaders and able to engage effectively at different organisational levels.

The candidate will be the focal point for collaboration between the broader U.S. Bank Public Affairs and Corporate Communications team and the European business.

As a member of the U.S. Bank's Communication and Public Affairs team, you partner closely with marketing leaders and Executive Committee members to play an integral part in building U.S. Bank and Elavon's European presence as the "Most Trusted Choice" and payments pioneer.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and implement European external communications strategy to enhance our reputation, presence and voice, working with key stakeholders from across all areas of the global business.
• Works with various business groups and senior management to develop and ensure all communications are aligned to the company's strategy, business goals, communication policy and risk protocols.
• Support the Executive Committee by leading communication workstreams on business-critical projects.
• Evaluates complex information and strategically determines appropriate method of communication based on topic and company goals.
• Edits internal and external publications, writes speeches / talking points and provides media support.
• May represent the company at various events.
• Develop leadership-level spokespeople to take advantage of meaningful opportunities to build Elavon's influence and reputation.
• Serve as lead representative for Public Affairs & Communications team in Europe.
• Drive positive awareness and coverage across multiple media channels, aligning to different target audiences and regions.
• Point person for all media. Maintain key press relationships, develop announcements, press releases and media pitches about new partnerships, capabilities, leadership changes, and thought leadership.
• Develop externally-facing, written and multimedia content and identify opportunities to build Elavon's influence across multiple segments.
• Collaborate with global issues management team to deliver communications that grow and protect the U.S. Bank and Elavon brand in Europe.
• Support delivery of Europe wide internal communications including town halls, Q&As, roadshows, Business Update from Declan Lynch and European content for U.S. Bank internal channels: SharePoint and Inside USB.
• Proactively work with subject matter experts on items that would benefit from heightened internal awareness (examples include awards and accomplishments, changes impacting employee experience, progress made towards externally available commitments).
• Drafts, reviews and finalises internal content and coaches European leaders on the story we're telling, aligning, messaging around strategy and core values.
• Responsible for managing our vendor and PR agency relationships including risk management and contract lifecycle management, leveraging the support of different U.S. Bank communications team members to execute internal and external campaigns.
• Develop metrics and KPIs to track progress and success.
• Strong people manager, mentor and leader whether it be direct or indirect reporting lines.
• Develop, foster and maintain strong collaborative relationships with key teams including Marketing, Employee Engagement, Wellbeing and others.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Strategy communications and media relations expertise.
• Demonstrated experience working in financial services/payments or professional services.
• Excellent verbal, written and visual communication skills – we're looking for an exceptional, engaging, and creative writer who can adapt to the Elavon style and voice while developing impactful communications.
• Able to handle a wide range of media enquiries and sector reporter relationships.
• Able to develop impactful communications for time-poor audiences and digital consumption.
• Strong experience working with functional leaders and timely issues: HR and employee relations, marketing and digital transformation, go-to-market strategy, and inclusive and sustainable growth.
• Ability to speak publicly as a company representative in key industry or communications forums.
• Strong research, analysis, and interviewing skills
• Well-developed organizational and project management skills
• Experience with internal, external, and change communications and project/event management.
• Budget management and external agency management.
• Partnership-oriented with ability to lead through influence rather than direct mandate.
• Good understanding of internal communications and employee engagement techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural awareness. Additional language skills are strongly desirable.
• Ability to work with teams across geographies and time zones.
• Ability to negotiate and influence internal and external parties
• Ability to be in office 3+ days per week.
• Bachelor's Degree, or equivalent work experience
• Ten or more years of experience in communications activities
• One or more years of supervisory/management experience
• Willing and able to travel on occasion as required (key markets are UK, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Norway, Spain and Luxembourg) as well as being part of the global PA&C team based in the U.S.

Location Expectations:

The role offers a hybrid/flexible schedule, which means there is as in-office expectation of 3 or more days per week and the flexibility to work outside the office location on other days.

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If there's anything we can do to accommodate a disability during any portion of the application or hiring process, please refer to our disability accommodations for applicants.

Benefits:

We offer an exciting, fast-paced and diverse working environment with employees of many different nationalities. We provide benefits to help you protect your health and financial security; and give you peace of mind. We also invest in your career growth with development resources that give you the opportunity to stretch and shine.