Head of Public Relations and External Affairs

One of the UK's key strategic priorities is to lead our market by being the most trusted brand. Current market conditions have intensified media and political scrutiny into our profession and a revised focus is needed to protect and strengthen our reputation in this 'new normal'. The Head of Public Relations and External Affairs will use data-driven insight and market understanding to develop and deliver media and stakeholder communications activities to protect and enhance trust in EY amongst key stakeholder groups. These groups would include media, political stakeholders and opinion-formers.

The opportunity

Lead development of media relations strategy to support communication of Corporate Narrative, including delivery of external communications activity for key senior leaders including the Regional Managing Partner, UK&I.

Your key responsibilities

• Responsible for external communication strategy and for management of the external communications team. You will be assigning and reviewing work of the external communications team, as well as maintaining and developing key media relationships.
  
• Develop proactive media campaigns to support business objectives including specific campaigns across the UK regions and to support EY's focus on privately-owned mid-market businesses
  
• Develop and use effective measurement and metric tools to gain insights and drive strategy, ensuring that External Communications activity is delivering value for EY
  
• Manage EY's Public Affairs programme focused political stakeholders in London and the UK regions
  
• Work with the Regulatory & Public Policy team to develop integrated approach to stakeholder engagement, in conjunction with the Director of Strategic Communications.
  
• Use knowledge and understanding of the interrelationship of media, politics and other stakeholders to develop activities which leverage and create platforms for EY's Corporate Narrative.
  
• Contribute to discussion about policy decisions, bringing a communications perspective
  
• Build and maintain the relationships with journalists and broadcasters that EY needs, in order to communicate its Corporate Narrative and manage its risks
  
• Manage external communications in crisis situations and around challenging issues, counselling senior management on most effective course of action
  
• Directly brief and influence media on challenging and sensitive issues, lead on reputation management and act as a media spokesperson for EY in a crisis.
  
• Management of the External Communications team and allocation of team resources to support campaigns led out of EY's marketing teams and communication of Corporate Narrative
  

Skills and attributes for success

• Significant experience in issues and crisis management
  
• Proven record of effectiveness in developing, implementing, managing and measuring external communications campaigns to achieve clear business objectives
  
• Experience of public affairs and stakeholder management as part of wider communications campaigns
  

To qualify for the role you must have

• 12+ years of media relations, PR or external communications in a large and complex organisation
  
• Excellent people leadership and experience of growing a team
  
• First-class analytical, presentation and collaboration skills
  

Ideally, you'll also have

• Experience of counselling and advising senior leaders on issues and communications approaches
  
• Demonstrated ability to work with internal communications, marketing and other colleagues to contribute to integrated communications and marketing campaigns
  
• Highly collaborative with the ability to influence senior partners through the development of a strong point of view
  

What we look for

• A degree in Marketing, Communications/or a business-related degree; or equivalent work experience
  
• Significant experience of media relations and corporate communications for large and complex organisations.
  
• Significant experience of issues and crisis management.
  
• Experience in B2B communications preferred.
  

What working at EY offers

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
  
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
  
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that's right for you
  

EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. While our client-facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance.

About EY

As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, we're using the finance products, expertise and systems we've developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime. And with a commitment to hiring and developing the most passionate people, we'll make our ambition to be the best employer by 2020 a reality.

If you can confidently demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.
Build your legacy with us.

Apply now.