Director, International Affairs - Global Communications Agency

If you’re looking to continue your communications career in an award-winning global agency, then this might just be the role for you! 

Why FleishmanHillard? 

Overview  

We have been named PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year and Best Places to Work; a “Standout Agency” on Advertising Age’s A-List; NAFE’s “Top 50 Companies for Executive Women” for six years running; and among our firm’s award-winning work we’ve taken home 5 Lions in the past two years at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable working environment for everyone. As the only PR Agency awarded EY’s National Equality Standard (twice!), all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

The team 

International Affairs (IA) is a cross-practice, specialist communications offer that represents governments, international organisations, philanthropies, and companies addressing geopolitical, economic, humanitarian and climate issues. Sitting within the Corporate Affairs practice, we create and lead integrated campaigns that tackle big challenges and have an impact for clients and broader society.

The Role:

As a Director in International Affairs, you will be a senior leader overseeing client relationships, guiding strategy and execution, and directing new business. You will have a passion and track record of communications on international issues and will inspire others to deliver great work. You will have a central role in advising clients, guiding proactive communications, overseeing issues management, and showing the impact of our work. This will include developing compelling platforms and content, directing proactive and reactive media relations, shaping stakeholder engagement and thought leadership, and contributing to intregrated digital campaigns. In addition to retaining and growing clients, you will play an active role in developing our International Affairs offer and generating new business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leverage your understanding of complex international issues to provide counsel to clients and colleagues.
• Create strategies, messaging and narratives to position clients favourably with target audiences, using the full range of communications capabilities and channels.
• Direct media relations campaigns that advance or protect clients’ interests, including by conceptualising media strategies, overseeing outreach and advising senior spokespeople on effective media engagement.
• Establish and oversee stakeholder outreach programmes, event platforms and partnerships.
• Guide the creation of creative, high-quality content, including excellent written materials.
• Lead or partner on issues management, risk assessment and crisis communications related to international affairs, where appropriate.
• Serve as the primary client point of contact, including developing effective relationships, developing solutions to challenges, and identifying opportunities to expand client work.
• Lead multi-market engagements, working with senior FleishmanHillard colleagues in other offices and their teams to implement large-scale campaigns.
• Supervise teams and individuals across levels and practices, including line management, teaching and mentoring of mid-level and junior colleagues.
• Direct campaign tracking and measurement, with specialist research and intelligence team members.
• Jointly identify and implement opportunities to position FleishmanHillard favourably with potential clients through marketing and business development.
• Guide thought leadership activity to help build FleishmanHillard’s profile.
• Lead or support new business pursuits, including formal RFP responses and informal opportunities.
• Build and maintain a network of contacts from governments, corporates and other organisations to cultivate business opportunities.

About you:

• You will have demonstrated communications experience on behalf of governments, multinational businesses and other organisations, using a range of channels and approaches to address geopolitics, trade and investment, country reputation, international development issues and more.
• Knowledge of the global, European and UK geopolitical and economic landscape, and how it impacts communications opportunities or risks for clients.
• Awareness of and experience with engagement around major milestones and summits such as COP, Davos, G20/G7, and the UN General Assembly.
• Passion for contributing to work that matters and makes a difference for our clients.
• Confidence and credibility when engaging with and presenting to clients about complex topics.
• Commitment to leading and inspiring teams to deliver their best work through high standards for quality, continuous learning, and supportive feedback.

 Eligibility - You must have the right to work in the UK and be able to work in our London Bankside office at least 3 days p/week. 

If this sounds like you we'd love to hear from you! Please attach your CV and cover letter cover (highlighting your communications experience in this space), and examples of campaigns you've led that made real impact.

What We Offer You 

• A warm and friendly team with a fantastic portfolio of global and UK clients 
• A truly global network, the opportunity to be part of multi-market campaigns, regularly working with colleagues across the globe. 
• A strengths-based L&D framework with an in-house coach and development opportunities for career defining work. 
• We’ve fully embraced hybrid and flexible working. We have a great office and human contact remains an important element of our culture
• Work-life balance, we all work hard but having a life outside work matters to all of us, and we support each other to achieve it. 
• Culture Club – from office manicures, nutritionists, inhouse massage and acupressure sessions, to Yoga on the roof terrace, quizzes, boot camps, exhibits and summer and Christmas get-togethers. 
• Opportunities to join our Employee Resource Groups (global and local), the Shadow Board or DE&I Steering committee. 

 We treat your data in the strictest confidence. For further information our Data & Privacy policy is located on our website. 

 Apologies in advance but due to the volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to every application individually. 

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