External Communications Manager (AVP)

Join us as an External Communications Manager (AVP) and play a key role in shaping how Barclays communicates its strategy, priorities and impact to external audiences.

You will develop and deliver integrated communications campaigns, drive proactive storytelling and help protect the bank through effective issues management and reactive media engagement.

The successful candidate will combine strong media instincts with excellent stakeholder management skills and a proven ability to translate complex topics into compelling external communications.

The ideal candidate must have:

• Experience in media relations, gained either in agency or in-house, covering a fast-moving, proactive and reactive news environment
• Established journalist relationships, and a sound understanding of both traditional and digital channels
• Excellent storytelling skills, with the ability to turn data and insights into compelling content
• Experience managing reactive media enquiries at pace to deliver the best reputational outcomes
• Experience advising on and handling sensitive or high-profile issues with sound judgement and discretion
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of financial services or another highly regulated industry highly desirable
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic matrix organisation and maintain resilience and perspective

You may be assessed on key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

Purpose of the role:

To communicate execution of the bank’s strategy and objectives effectively to the relevant external stakeholders. 

Accountabilities:

• Delivery and execution of the bank’s external communications strategy so that messages are communicated effectively to the relevant stakeholders across multiple channels, both owned and earned.

• Development of strategy aligned campaigning/ tactical content/ news flow that clearly and effectively communicates the banks values, goals and objectives to the public.

• Maintenance of external stakeholder relationships, such as media outlets and industry groups, so that messages communicated through press releases, owned channels and media statements correctly demonstrate the   bank’s strategy values and reputation.

• Reputational risk minimisation and management for the Bank and its senior leadership through effective advice of risk mitigation, and effective management of negative news flow/ crisis issues.

Assistant Vice President Expectations:

• To advise and influence decision making, contribute to policy development and take responsibility for operational effectiveness. Collaborate closely with other functions/ business divisions.

• Lead a team performing complex tasks, using well developed professional knowledge and skills to deliver on work that impacts the whole business function. Set objectives and coach employees in pursuit of those objectives, appraisal of performance relative to objectives and determination of reward outcomes

• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

• OR for an individual contributor, they will lead collaborative assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will identify new directions for assignments and/ or projects, identifying a combination of cross functional methodologies or practices to meet required outcomes.

• Consult on complex issues; providing advice to People Leaders to support the resolution of escalated issues.

• Identify ways to mitigate risk and developing new policies/procedures in support of the control and governance agenda.

• Take ownership for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work done.

• Perform work that is closely related to that of other areas, which requires understanding of how areas coordinate and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the organisation sub-function.

• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategy.

• Engage in complex analysis of data from multiple sources of information, internal and external sources such as procedures and practises (in other areas, teams, companies, etc).to solve problems creatively and effectively.

• Communicate complex information. 'Complex' information could include sensitive information or information that is difficult to communicate because of its content or its audience.

• Influence or convince stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.