Brand & Corporate Communications Manager

Brand & Corporate Communications Manager

Location: London , South East Salary: Competitive Date posted: 16/05/2012 08:00 Job type:Permanent Company: Allen & Overy Contact: Fiona Wilson Ref: Totaljobs/1468 Job ID: 53597193

Overview

The brand & corporate communications manager is the guardian of the recently-refreshed corporate brand (messaging, brand strategy, positioning, tone of voice and visual identity). They will be responsible for providing strategic level guidance to the business on how the corporate and employer brand is articulated. The manager will lead any centrally managed corporate brand projects and support delivery of campaigns to bring the brand to life externally. This role will have specific responsibility for driving corporate brand activity internationally

The role will also have responsibility for project-managing the creation and delivery of the firm's award-winning Annual Review. The most high profile single piece of brand collateral produced globally each year. A key responsibility will be developing and communicating, internally and externally, key brand messages and identifying target audiences. To this end the role is also responsible for central sponsorship and also advertising. Also for coordinating submissions to external profile-raising awards such as FT Innovative Lawyers. He/she will also work closely with the international BD team, other support departments, the brand steering group and in an advisory role to partners and associates as required.

The role is responsible for the joint line management of a Brand Executive and the Manger reports to the Head of Communications.

Requirements

Qualifications

Ideally a graduate (or equivalent) with a CIM or CIPR qualification.

Key responsibilities

Brand development: work with the Head of Communications and Marketing Director to set the strategic direction and goals and get buy-in from key internal stakeholders for the development of the corporate and employer brand. Lead consultation with other parts of the business about how the brand should be implemented effectively and proactively suggest ways this can be achieved. Play a consultative role on any regional adaptation of the brand by local marketing teams and on corporate projects using the brand.

Brand campaigns: help create and set the direction for marketing campaigns which will strengthen our brand positioning.

Strategic agency relationships: own and manage the relationship with key brand agency(ies) and annual reporting agency. Act as gateway for the relationship for the firm.

Visual identity: set direction for the global visual identity, which will be managed by the Brand Executive. Provide a sounding board for developments to the visual identity.

Sponsorship: plan and manage a global sponsorship programme to support the brand positioning. Ensure sponsorship takes account of key markets and leverages global opportunities and existing sponsorships. Provide global guidelines for local and adhoc sponsorship requests. Manage and report on a finite number of central corporate sponsorship campaign(s).
FT Innovative Lawyers: responsible for the renewal and development of A&O's sponsorship agreement with the FT Innovative Lawyers report. Work with the business development team to leverage the findings from the report and maximise ROI from the sponsorship.

Advertising: set firm wide advertising policy which supports the brand positioning and other brand communications. Communicate policy to key stakeholders (BD / HR). Oversee production of creative guidelines to be managed and implemented by the Brand Executive with Creative Services. Take a hands on role in managing any central corporate brand advertising campaigns.

Internal engagement: work with various internal stakeholders to ensure there is a high level of internal awareness and engagement with the brand, especially within the global marketing team. Create and manage a strong and broad internal network to ensure the brand is being brought to life across the business. This includes linking into the HR team in particular for the employer brand.

Support on corporate profile raising activities and initiatives, including content, speakers and post event materials for the Business of Law seminar series.

Social media and online presence: work with the web, intranet and IT teams to support our brand positioning and corporate messaging online and through social media.

Measurement / evaluation: manage the evaluation and reporting of key brand metrics such as awareness and 'top of mind' within target external audiences and internal engagement and understanding. Work with regional marketing teams to produce measurement and reporting for key markets.

Annual report: Project Manager with the Head of Communications and broader communications team to set up and run the annual report production process. Play a lead role on agency selection, theme / content strategy and creative direction, ensuring the direction set is carried through. Lead and manage content generation, sign off and production through to delivery and distribution.

Budget / project management: Manage the respective budgets and budgeting processes for central brand and sponsorship / advertising. Manage forecasting and reporting for these budget lines.

Who we are looking for

Substantial experience within a marketing or communications role in the professional services sector.

Experience of managing a brand

Experience in delivering annual reports essential

Any PR experience, particularly in dealing with reputational issues and managing agencies would be beneficial

Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal

Understanding of design and visual identity

Ability to develop relationships and influence people at all levels of seniority

Professional in outlook, attitude and appearance.

Ability to motivate, develop and inspire both team and fee-earners to deliver business goals and change behaviour where required.

Ability to work to deadlines, juggle multiple projects and deliver under pressure. Ability to plan ahead, anticipate workload of the team and manage others time efficiently, balances conflicting priorities and does not over-commit team and themselves always manages expectations.