Communications and Marketing Manager (Middle East and Africa)

AXA UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading firm as a Communications & Marketing Manager in Manchester. You will lead the development and execution of strategic communications and marketing initiatives, manage media relations, and enhance the firm's corporate reputation across the Middle East and Africa. This role requires strong experience in corporate storytelling, PR, and effective media engagement. If you're a motivated communications professional ready to drive results, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

Retirement planning

Wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in communications within professional services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in public relations and media coverage.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute regional communications and marketing strategies.
• Manage PR and external communications effectively.
• Build relationships with media and oversee regional PR activities.

Skills

Communications

Public Relations

Stakeholder Management

Media Relations

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Database and email marketing software

MS Office

Job description

Department : Business Development & Marketing

Location : UK

Role Type : Permanent

The Team

To support the ambitions of a dynamic, complex and growing business, we are building the world's leading Business Development, Communications & Marketing function.

This role will sit in the firm's Middle East & Africa BD & Marketing team and operate as part of the firm's Global Communications and Marketing teams.

The firm's global goal is to attract and engage high revenue clients through their buyer journey using data driven marketing techniques. Part of this is to position Clyde & Co as the firm of choice in each of our core sectors on a global basis. To realise this ambition, the marketing and communications teams provide leadership and direction in the development of dynamic global campaigns and marketing strategies driven by data insight.

The Role

The Communications & Marketing Manager role will require experience of building and delivering communications and marketing strategies encompassing traditional and digital channels in line with revenue generating initiatives. The individual will be responsible for part of the regional go-to-market strategy for our core sectors, priority revenue generating initiatives and new products.

In particular, the role-holder will work to maintain and build the firm's corporate reputation and support its business development strategy and plans for its sectors, practices and regions.

They will have exposure to senior management, playing an integral role in building their external profile through the media and other external communications channels as well as providing day to day issues management support and advice.

There is a strong media relations focus where the role holder will proactively build relationships with key media and act on breaking news stories of strategic importance to the firm.

The role will also play a key part in helping identify and manage successful campaigns for the firm and its practices.

The role holder will need to work closely and establish strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure a joined-up approach to external communications and marketing initiatives.

This candidate will be required to be a champion and ambassador within the firm for the entire communications, marketing and business development team and a role model for junior members of the team.

Responsibilities

• Create and deliver key parts of the regional communications and marketing strategy in line with the MEA strategic growth priorities.
• Strategic planning and execution of end-to-end proactive PR plans.
• Manage all aspects of PR and external communications i.e. award submissions, corporate announcements such as lateral hires, financial results and office openings.
• Track, monitor and assess engagement performance of regional PR.
• Build and maintain strong media relations with regional media and key stakeholders. Oversee regional speaking programs, liaise with external teams, manage media inquiries, and proactively drive positive coverage while monitoring industry trends.
• Draft and manage major announcements, craft press releases, messaging documents, and FAQs, delivering thought leadership pieces and anticipating industry news and trends.
• Work closely with the global communications teams to create integrated communications plans and design localised stories.
• Handle crisis communications effectively, including regulatory issues, by collaborating with internal stakeholders and the leadership team for rapid decision-making to protect the company's reputation.
• Oversee the firm's approach to media outreach in the region. This will include pro-actively identifying media opportunities, supporting BD campaigns, building relationships with regional media, drafting press releases, advising on profile raising strategies and reactively responding to media enquiries.
• Advise partners, including regional management, on media outreach and dealing with the media.
• Act as the Clyde & Co brand champion.
• Assist the broader BD team and business on content as required, including being actively involved in the creation of digital content.
• Undertake other communication and marketing projects as may be assigned by the Senior Marketing & Communications Manager.

Core technical competencies:

• Passionate about corporate storytelling and marketing with strong communications skills: both verbal and written.
• A strong understanding of external communications and end-to-end public relations.
• Positive and tenacious with the ability to drive initiatives forward by motivating people within and outside the team.
• Expertise around marketing campaign development processes, managing budgets and assessing the effectiveness of marketing spend.
• Familiar with brand management, proposition development and principles for content and editorial strategies.
• Proficient with digital, event, content, performance marketing and account based marketing approaches and principles.
• Able to engage and manage stakeholder relationships to leverage the benefit and impact of marketing and communications activities.
• Good at translating complex or technical themes into clear and compelling messaging for both internal and external audiences.
• Understanding of how marcomms can be adapted and tailored to address business objectives and marketing strategies - from enhancing brand, relationships or revenue-generating activities.
• Able to develop a good understanding of the business strategy, its commercial drivers and the role of marketing to enable these.
• Experience using tools to analyse performance of marketing and website performance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• External communications experience, preferably in a professional services environment.
• Demonstrable interest in writing, news and current affairs.
• Demonstrable results in securing high quality media coverage.
• Excellent communication skills: ability to write clearly, concisely and convey key messages is a must.
• Experience in working with database, intranet and email marketing software.
• Strong organisational and project management skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities within tight timescales while maintaining high standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with all levels with confidence, positivity, diplomacy.
• Able to work to very tight deadlines under pressure and to assimilate information quickly.
• Demonstrates creative thinking and attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to motivate, develop and inspire in a team and with fee-earners to deliver business goals.
• Team-spirited and collaborative, while being able to take the initiative and work independently.
• Educated to degree level or possesses equivalent experience.
• High proficiency in all MS Office packages
• Creative and innovative with a strong grasp on existing and emerging digital technologies.
• Experienced communications professional with at least 5 years' experience, preferably in a professional services environment.

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When you work at Clyde & Co, you join a team of 490 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavours and strengthen our delivery, for both our clients and our firm. We work as one, excel with clients, celebrate difference and act boldly. We are committed to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it serves. We are devoted to providing an environment in which everyone can realise their potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its communities. We do this through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment, including through our commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

We offer a range of tailored benefits and support, including healthcare, retirement planning and wellbeing initiatives.

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our core values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel at work. Therefore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity.

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