Corporate Communications Manager recruitment

FTSE is a fast growing, high profile independent company owned by the London Stock Exchange Group.  Its mission is to provide investors globally with the best index and benchmarking solutions and decision making support tools.  The strategic intent of the company is to create an index business valued in excess of $3 billion by 2014, occupying a leadership position in all major developed and significant emerging markets.

FTSE is a leading provider of index data for institutional investors worldwide with over $3 trillion of assets benchmarked to FTSE indexes. Growing at over 20% each year, and working from a position of market leadership in the UK and Europe, FTSE’s strategy is to increase FTSE brand awareness globally and to continue to grow its business worldwide through acquisitions and partnerships as well as organic growth. 

FTSE is relied upon by financial markets globally, running the FTSE 100, FTSE MIB (Italy), Straits Times (Singapore), FTSE/JSE (South Africa) and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI.  The company is at the forefront of indexes for the emerging market in China, operating the FTSE China A50 which supports the leading A Share ETF in Hong Kong. FTSE also works with the world’s biggest asset owners such as CalPERS, OMERS, AP2, PGGM, AP3, AP7, ABN Amro, UBS, MPF and the Futures Fund, as well as the world’s largest passive fund managers, including Blackrock, State Street, Legal and General and UBS. 

FTSE operates from three major centres in London, New York and Hong Kong.  The company also has satellite offices in San Francisco, Paris, Milan, Dubai, Tokyo and Sydney.   FTSE also has a presence in China and India as part of its strategy to establish a leadership position in major emerging markets. 

THE BUSINESS NEED

FTSE’s core target market includes all of the world’s major financial institutions and largest asset owners. It serves clients across the globe and has established a global communications team based in London. The key areas of responsibility for the Corporate Communications Team include delivering corporate communications and developing FTSE’s profile in the media, enhancing and protecting FTSE’s brand and reputation. The team is also responsible for shaping our corporate messages delivering regular client communications such as our newsletter, FTSE Focus, as well as developing the FTSE brand identity and collateral.

The Corporate Communications team works with and supports the three regional marketing teams, based in London (EMEA), New York (Americas) and Hong Kong/Tokyo/Sydney (Asia-Pacific).

KEY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Global Head of Communications, the individual will be responsible for the implementation of corporate communications and the management and delivery of key projects to develop and enhance FTSE’s profile in the global media. Other areas of responsibility include supporting the Global Head of Communications in the delivery of key Client communications, including the FTSE newsletters and market consultations. 

KEY ASPECTS OF THE POSITION:

•Support the Global Head of Communications in delivering effective corporate communications. Write press releases and coordinate sign-off at CEO Group level where required. Develop media lists and media pitches. Manage delivery of press release and follow-up with key media as appropriate. Corporate communications include items such as new partnerships, acquisitions, appointments and crisis communications.

•Work with the regional marketing and press office teams to shift the emphasis from strategic to dynamic media activities and support the roll out of best practice regional initiatives globally.

•Develop and implement a strategy to promote the high visibility of FTSE research and data in the media.

•Work with the Regional PR and Marketing teams enhance media relations and to coordinate a global media and contacts review. Segment and prioritise the media marketplace by audience and strategic product area.

•Support brand/corporate reputation using crisis/issues management experience e.g. media exposure

•Support the management of the FTSE/Berlinguer relationship to ensure that FTSE gains maximum value from FTSE Global Markets.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

It is expected with limited supervision the candidate will be able to deliver each of the key objectives of the role identified above. It is therefore expected that he or she will have:

•   Strong and demonstrable market relevant knowledge and experience, gained within buy or sell side organisations; preferably within a global context.

•   At least 6 years direct PR experience.

•   Ability to deal with journalists on day to day basis including crisis and issues management circumstances

•   Knowledge and understanding of financial markets and companies.

•   Knowledge and understanding of how media organisations operate.

•   Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.

•   Previous knowledge of financial indices and risk tools – gained either from working for an index provider, or from using indices or risk products within a financial services role would be advantageous.

TYPE OF PERSON

•   ability to work to tight deadlines and in a fast moving environment;

•   strong and demonstrable interest in the media;

•   excellent communication skills, both oral and written;

•strong project management skills;

•   methodical and meticulous approach;

•   good networking and interpersonal skills;

•   team spirited, committed individual.

SALARY

Excellent remuneration package.