External Communications Manager at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

• Develop and implement the communications and content strategy in Kenya & Africa communications plan.
• Provide key strategic communications advice to WRB/CIB head and WB/CIB business leaders in country
• Maintain a tight control of all issues that have the potential to cause reputation damage to Standard Chartered WRB/CIB in country. Manage crises and pro-actively deal with threats to Standard Chartered’s reputation
• Maintain excellent communications with the working press and editors/producers
• Pro-actively pitch story ideas to the media that fit the WRB & CIB country and cluster strategic agenda
• Write key message documents and maintain key data points that back up the strategic business plan 
• Formulate and implement external communications plan, which is aligned with the business agenda
• Ensure compliance with the SCB media policy

Business

• Identify external profiling opportunities – including to originate and develop op-eds, points-of-view, and story ideas to be pitched to the media (local & international media, and trades). 
• Lead the content development that will support the business profiling and engagement with clients. 
• Support businesses in awards submissions.
• Identify and maximise speaking opportunities for the CEO for Kenya & Africa, as well as WRB & CIB business heads, with a focus on strategy, business capabilities and achievements, thought leadership and management. 

Processes

• Drive utilisation / exploit new technologies / channels to enhance communication.
• Work with teams across Group CABM, Cluster CABM, Marketing, and key stakeholders to ensure coordinated approach to communications, as well as consistency in delivery quality outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with the Bank’s communications policy in-country

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct. 
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank. This includes understanding and ensuring compliance with, in letter and spirit, all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.

Key stakeholders

Internal

Country level:

• CABM Head, Kenya & Africa
• CEO, Kenya & Africa
• CFO, Kenya & Africa
• Kenya Country Management Team (CMT)
• Kenya  Business Heads, with a focus on the Wealth Retail Banking & Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) businesses
• Key business (CIB & WRB) and functional leads including HR, Finance, Legal, Compliance, Risk, and Corporate Real Estate Services

Group level

• CABM teams in Group , Africa, UAE, Middle East & Pakistan
• Group CIB & WRB marketing teams
• Group CIB & WRB Comms and Group Media
• Group Sustainability and Corporate Comms, including Content & Campaigns, Reputation & Issues Management
• Group Internal Comms and Functions Comms

External

• Agencies (creative, writers, social media etc)
• Other vendors

Skills and Experience

• Content development (Thought Leadership)    
• Media Relations    
• Stakeholder Management    
• Critical Thinking     
• Manage Ambiguity    

SKILLS

• Ability to analyse sentiments and customise communications according to target audience, and effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide sound, logical and credible strategic advice, and constructive challenge to senior executives.
• Ability to operate with the highest integrity and discretion.
• Critical thinking skills to exercise judgement and continuously looking for better and more effective ways of working.
• Collaborative and able to encourage creativity, generate new ideas for effective implementation of business solutions. 
• Ability to think on his/her feet and to respond calmly and effectively in high-pressure situations or environment.
• Possess excellent writing, communication and presentation skills as well as in planning and organisation.
• Ability to lead and guide in the design, development of multi-channel communications campaigns, and championing the use of innovative communications vehicles and practices. 
• Live the Valued Behaviours of “Do the right thing”, “Never settle” and “Better Together” on a day-to-day basis whilst seeking opportunities for self-development and growth.

Qualifications

• EDUCATION  -   At least a Bachelor’s degree in a communication or business-related discipline
• LANGUAGES  -   Excellent spoken and written command of English

Functional Knowledge & Experience

• At least 2-5 years in an external communications role in country – preferably in corporate and consumer banking environment
• Experience in driving communications strategies and/or in journalism
• Excellent working knowledge of the media including deadlines, interests, agendas, etc. A background in journalism is preferable but not essential
• Excellent relationships with the media at all levels