External Communications Director - North America

$106,400 - $182,333/Yr

Allianz - New York, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - New York, NY

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The External Communications Director at Allianz Commercial (AzC) is responsible for managing media engagement and reputation management in North America. This role involves building strong relationships with media, developing external messaging, and overseeing the media relations agency team. The position is critical in enhancing AzC's narrative and reputation, supporting social media strategies, and ensuring effective communication across various platforms.

Responsibilities

• Build an NA Center of Excellence for media engagement and external communications.
• Develop journalist relationships, pitch and secure media coverage, and respond to media queries.
• Develop industry awards and distinctions to advance commercial objectives and influence positive perceptions of Allianz's reputation.
• Build messaging plans to showcase line of business leaders and strategies and secure industry exposure.
• Establish and continually update crisis communications preparedness protocols.
• Implement distribution of corporate press releases, media advisories, and updates.
• Lead NA media monitoring and reporting to generate consistent reports on coverage, social media conversation, and other reputational drivers.
• Develop and lead a program preparing key leaders for media interviews and public speaking opportunities.
• Oversee agency engagement and accountabilities to ensure measurability and performance.
• Coach Communications professionals to enable them to perform their roles effectively.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years' corporate communications experience with hands-on media relations experience in North America.
• Preferred background in services or B2B; experience in insurance is beneficial but not essential.
• Experience in expertise-driven communications in a knowledge-based industry.
• Demonstrable experience with digital, social, and traditional media.
• A bachelor's degree or postgraduate qualification in Journalism, communications, or business; professional communications qualification highly desirable.
• Knowledge of social and traditional media relations and external communications.
• Strong journalistic skills including copywriting, information research, analysis, and content generation.
• Strategic orientation and understanding of the commercial business environment.
• Competence with MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; familiarity with Photoshop and InDesign is a plus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in crisis communications and issues management.
• Familiarity with industry awards and distinctions in the insurance sector.

Benefits

• Hybrid working model with flexible working arrangements.
• Generous bonus scheme and pension.
• Career development and digital learning programs.
• International career mobility opportunities.
• Support for health and wellbeing, including private healthcare and generous parental leave benefits.