Business Communications Manager

Location: The candidate can be located anywhere within the EU time zone or in the US

The work model for the role is: hybrid/remote

In this role, the External Communications Manager, Electrification (EL), will drive external communications to enhance and elevate the reputation of ABB Electrification with key external audiences and in target geographies. The role is responsible for the design, orchestration and execution of BA led external engagement strategy - including thought leadership, media engagement, speaking opportunities, key message development for Electrification, and a critical partner with our 5 Divisions to ensure our stories break through a crowded earned media landscape.  The External Communications Manager will also partner to ensure pull through of key messages across channels and platforms, and develop spokespeople opportunities and positioning.

• Media, PR and Messaging: Manages media relations strategy and execution for Electrification working with division, business area and group communicators. A critical component of this role will be the ability to develop a media approach that identifies opportunities to build thought leadership – through relationships, simplified messaging that pulls through key messages and scales across stakeholder groups, SME coaching, and strategic counsel with key leaders. Plan, support, counsel, prepare and manage responses to inquiries from external sources. Relationship development with key publications and journalists will be key to this role, in addition to pitching story angles to established and new media outlets. Partners with division and corporate Media teams to collaborate on media trips and joint announcements.

• Thought Leadership: Develops and executes thought leadership opportunities that deliver on business priorities. Leads the external thought leadership communications editorial calendar, content and storyline through channels creating materials that can include, but are not limited to: writing engaging press releases, segment messaging, social media thought leadership, podcasts, video scripts, awards submissions, etc. Support Communications leadership with identification and activation of key speaking opportunities to elevate the reputation of leaders with critical external audiences.

• Communications materials – Support Electrification Communications team to develop proactive and creative communication strategies, programs, and inspiring materials that will build pride in the organization, while generating broader awareness and understanding of the business. Develop templates and toolkits as needed to support regular common communication needs for all of Electrification.  

• Digital Communications: Partner with Electrification digital communications leader to ensure effective messaging and pull through across all channels.

• Strategic Counsel: Provide guidance and expertise on media and external communications across a network of Electrification communicators to ensure pull through of global messaging and effective channel usage; including connecting dots across ABB.

• Measurement: Manages global media monitoring and measurement with consistent roll out across Electrification. Developing relevant KPIs to track and improve communications effectiveness across media. Maintain effective measurement and monitoring to track regular progress and partner with digital communications leader in building a robust integrated communications metrics dashboard for decision making.

• Agency Management: Manage and engage with multiple agencies across geographies.

• Ad hoc – Provide other ad hoc support to Head of External Communications, Electrification as required for regular business or campaign-specific communications. 

• 10 years’ experience in Strategic Communication Management and/or Public Relations in a highly matrixed organization

• Undergraduate degree, or higher, in Communications, PR, Political Science or other relevant discipline

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) and strong writing/editing skills.

• In-depth demonstrable knowledge and experience of all aspects of external and strategic communications.

• Network and understanding of what drives global press/media and ability to direct agencies and teams towards a common goal.

• Strong business partnership, collaboration and communication skills, with deep experience of managing external relationships seamlessly.

• Comfortable with ambiguity, adaptable to complex situations

• Strategic with a hands-on mindset; familiar working in a globally matrixed business environment across geographies and languages.

ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are ‘Engineered to Outrun’, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification