External Communications Manager (AVP)

Join us as an External Communications Manager (AVP) to help communicate the bank’s strategy and objectives effectively to relevant external stakeholders. 

This is a permanent role to support in the development and execution of the external communications strategy around what Barclays does for UK businesses, with responsibility across  Barclays UK products and services.

The successful candidate will promote, protect and defend the Bank and manage the delivery of external communications activity across a range of topics.

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
• Experience in managing press office queries at pace with excellent ability to navigate business stakeholders and apply strategic thinking to get the best reputational outcome. 
• Strong journalist relationships and experience of a range of media (traditional and digital) across consumer, business, finance and trade
• Experience in delivering strategic news flow and  creative storytelling
• Experience in writing and developing content for digital channels
• Experience of handling sensitive issues
• Strong communication skills
• Outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills and a team-focused approach

Other highly desired criteria:

• Knowledge of and experience in financial services is highly desired
• Enjoys working in a dynamic matrix environment and is able to 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.