Job: Regional Media Relations Director, Visa Inc.

  • Employer: Visa Inc.
  • Posted: 02 May 2008
  • Contact: Mark Lester-Smith
  • Location: Paddington, London
  • Sector: Financial Services
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Hours: Full Time
  • Position: Regional Media Relations Director
  • Salary: Excellent Salary & Benefits
JOB PURPOSE

  • Lead the definition and implementation of CEMEA’s media relations strategy to enhance Visa’s corporate reputation, raise awareness of and preference for Visa in CEMEA. Generate sustained, positive media coverage in line with regional and global messages and business strategy.
  • Provides direct regional input into global media relations strategy and ensure consistency in local execution of global strategy.
  • Manages all aspects of Hub-based corporate communication managers’ role including public affairs activities.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Extensive experience of media relations at an international level, to include experience in working in at least one of CEMEA’s sub-regions.
  • A deep understanding of business issues and crisis management.
  • A detailed knowledge of the constraints and imperatives of working in a high-profile listed company.
  • Ability to lead and facilitate work on complicated strategic issues - managing own and cross-functional teams - that may result in changes affecting organisation either internally or externally.
  • Ability to challenge established views and assumptions at all levels including senior management, facilitating and leading discussion and debate and supporting decision-making.
  • Multi-cultural sensitivity and interpersonal relationship management, including the ability to work effectively within Visa CEMEA matrix structure, between Visa regions and with Global staff.
  • Capability in any CEMEA languages would be an advantage.
  • Capability to achieve results through influence rather than power/control.
  • Professional and confident with the ability to maintain good communication with wide internal and external audiences.
  • Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to communicate complex strategic issues to senior internal management and international bankers.
  • Proven staff management skills.
  • Proven budget management experience.
  • Team player possessing a strong drive to add value to the business direction.
  • Ability to make critical, informed decisions under pressure.
  • Graduate calibre.
  • Knowledge of the financial services industry, in particular the payments industry at an international level.
Staff:

Recruit, develop and motivate a team comprising:

  • Corporate Communication Manager (Southeast Europe)
  • Corporate Communication Manager (North Africa & Levant)
  • Corporate Communication Manager (Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Corporate Communication Manager (Russia & CIS)
  • Corporate Communication Manager (Middle East)
  • Corporate Communication Specialist (Russia & CIS)
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Accountable for:
    o         Pan-regional and local market media programmes covering all areas of the business to enhance reputation and raise awareness of Visa and to achieve coverage in line with Visa’s key messages and business strategy within the region.

    o         Providing direct input into global media relations strategy formulation and ensuring consistent local execution.

    o         Compliance with SEC communication regulations.

    o         Management of a network of PR agencies within the region to maximise effectiveness of the service they provide.

    o         Relationships with key journalists in the region, and trade journalists globally, to encourage positive media coverage.

    o         Media evaluation programmes which measure the effectiveness of media relations activities on an on-going basis.

    o         Identifying, evaluating and managing appropriate media opportunities for regional and global senior management.

 

  • Act as a prime media spokesperson for Visa in the region.
  • Deputise for the Regional Head of Strategy & Corporate Relations as required.
 

 

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