Regional Head of Communications, North America

Let's care for tomorrow. Your ambitions. Your dreams. Your tomorrow At Allianz Commercial (AzC), we are the global leader for insuring corporate and specialty risks in the Allianz Group. Whether it's aircraft, satellites, the world's biggest ships and tallest building, cyber-attacks, or climate change impacts, AzC has the major risks covered when it comes to protecting businesses.

We are looking for a Regional Head of Communications, North America. This position will work a hybrid schedule based in our New York City office.

Your Team Press & Media is the arm and voice of Allianz Commercial (AzC). The Communications Team is a center of excellence and critical in building AzC's narrative and reputation.

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world's largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry, as well as family-owned and medium enterprises, which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions.

The trade name Allianz Commercial (AzC) brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either though our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners Allianz Commercial is part of one of the world's strongest financial services groups and world's #1 insurance brand. When you partner with us, you partner with Allianz Group.

The Impact You Will Have Reporting to the Chief Regions Officer Americas, this role takes leadership responsibility for the management of communications across North America. In addition, the role is responsible for or contributes to a large number of ad hoc projects at varying levels of importance - from tactical to strategic, and from local to global. Reporting to the Regional CEO and as a member of the Executive Management Team, this role needs to liaise closely with the Regional CEO for the overall region and with the Global Head of Communications. Is responsible for the Communications budget for North America.

Some of your specific responsibilities could include:

• Working with a small team, provide regional direction and execution of communications activities. This includes close liaison with key stakeholders (including regional leadership and project stakeholders) and Global Communications, and budget management for all communications activities.
• Lead and coordinate proactive media and external communications across the region, in coordination with other colleagues (local and global, including media teams in other local Allianz companies where relevant), to include: development of a media relations network and process across the region; media management to include planning topic coverage, coordinating, writing and distributing press releases, pitching, fielding journalist enquiries, providing guidance to journalists, press briefings etc.; media relations management for product launches or organizational news and developments; when used, agency coordination, budgeting and management; contact management of media contacts; work with Market Management to develop external newsletters; developing research and 'knowledge-based' content for external communications in conjunction with global team: white papers, expert reports, risk bulletins and other print/online content; reviewing and monitoring media activity; preparing briefings, and coaching AzC staff including Regional CEO and senior management in media relations; planning and coordinating media training for AzC managers and staff; crisis communications planning and response (local contact for crisis communications); contribute to digital communications including social media where relevant. Target media include mainstream 'opinion-forming' media as well as business and insurance/trade sector 'vertical' media, including print, online and broadcast, as well as emerging channels.
• Takes direct responsibility for coordination, management, support and delivery of internal communications activities across AzC Regional Unit, individually or in coordination with other team members (local and global including HR) such as communications planning and projects, change project communications, news/announcements and briefing notes and other newsletters as required, proactive development of consistent messaging and topics for internal use, copywriting and drafting communications, CEO/EMT support for strategy and management & leadership communications, town halls, working with visiting Board Members as needed, regional Intranet (global responsibility is with Global Communications).
• Alongside the above responsibilities, the role will also support and contribute to Regional and Global Communications team activities, including media related activities and ad hoc projects.
• Lead, manage and coach any Communications Officers/Interns to enable them to perform their role effectively.
• Occasional international travel may be required to other AzC countries and as required across the region.

What You'll Bring to the Role -

• A minimum 5 years' strong corporate communications track record with a extensive hands-on experience of media relations and internal communications, ideally in a multi-country environment/global organization, including working with senior managers.
• Services or B2B background preferred - experience of insurance not essential, although this would be beneficial.
• Experience of expertise-driven communications in a knowledge-based industry would be directly relevant. Demonstrable experience of new developments in digital, social and traditional media. Project and change communications experience in a matrix/international environment is an advantage.
• A bachelor's degree or postgraduate qualification in Journalism, Communications or Business. And professional communications qualification/certification highly desirable.
• Knowledge of theoretical and operational principles and techniques of communications for media relations and internal/external communications, and of traditional and digital channels.
• Journalistic skills to include copywriting, information research and analysis, content generation covering text, data and graphics, storytelling, ability to work accurately to tight deadlines.
• Strategic orientation and understanding of commercial business environment, to support communication of Allianz strategy.
• Competence with MS Word and PowerPoint and MS Excel. Use of Photoshop, InDesign and handling of online Content Management tools (intranet/website).
• Communication, presentation and relationship management skills. Ability to remain calm and measured in stressful scenarios, including crisis situations. Ability to prioritize and structure a high workload, identify key issues and work unsupervised to deadlines in a fast-changing environment. Interpersonal skills, including ability to understand others' perspectives and agendas.

The annualized base pay range for this role is $131,513 to $204,717. The annual base salary range represents a nationwide market range. The actual salary for this position may be above and will be determined by several factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role, the skills, education, training, credentials, and experience of the candidate. The base pay is just one component of the AzC total compensation package. As part of our comprehensive compensation and highly rated benefits programs, employees are also eligible for annual performance-based cash incentive awards.

71495 | Communication & Public Relations | Professional | Non-Executive | Allianz Commercial | Full-Time | Permanent

What's in it for you? Let's care about everything that makes you, you We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. We offer a hybrid working model, which recognizes the value of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. Please feel free to discuss flexible working arrangements with us. Let's care for your financial wellbeing We believe in rewarding performance with a great compensation and benefits package (details vary by location), including a generous bonus scheme and pension. Let's care for your opportunities to progress From career development and digital learning programs to international career mobility, we offer lifelong learning for our employees worldwide and an environment where innovation, delivery and empowerment are fostered. Let's care for life's twists and turns From our support for flexible working, health, and wellbeing (including private healthcare and generous parental leave benefits), to helping people return from career breaks with experience that nothing else can teach. We've got your back. Let's care for our society and our planet With opportunities to be engaged in shaping a future that is safe, inclusive, and sustainable, we care for the tomorrows of our people, our industry, and our clients. Care to join us? Allianz Commercial (AzC) is a global corporate insurance carrier and part of Allianz Group. We provide risk consultancy, Property-Casualty insurance solutions and alternative risk transfer for a wide spectrum of commercial, corporate and specialty risks across 10 dedicated lines of business.

Learn more about us by clicking here. Allianz is an equal opportunity employer, and therefore welcomes applications regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Diversity of thinking is an important part of our company culture. Recruitment Agencies: AzC has an in-house recruitment team, which focuses on sourcing great candidates directly. AzC does not accept unsolicited resumes from agency or search firm recruiters. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired. When we do use agencies, we have a PSL in place, so please do not contact managers directly.

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Nearest Major Market: Manhattan Nearest Secondary Market: New York City