Communications & External Affairs Manager

The Communications & External Affairs Manager is responsible for developing and delivering CMA CGM’s communications, external affairs and CSR strategy in the UK. As the organisation’s principal UK communications adviser, the role protects and enhances CMA CGM’s reputation, supports the UK Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team, builds relationships with key media and stakeholders, and ensures effective communication with colleagues, customers and external audiences.

• Contribute to the development, quality control and implementation of the UK communications plan and manage the communication budget accordingly.
• Act as guardian of the CMA CGM brand in the UK, ensuring communications and event materials comply with Group brand and communications standards.
• Translate Group and European Regional Office communications priorities into effective UK plans, while providing advice on UK market, media and stakeholder considerations.
• Build effective relationships across UK business functions and with European Regional Office and Head Office teams to identify communications opportunities, gather information and ensure timely delivery and approval of communications.
• Manage communications agencies, designers, event suppliers and other external partners, including briefing, procurement, delivery and performance management.

• Initiate and maintain positive productive relationships with media journalists and relevant media through consistent contacts to inform and coordinate interviews
• Develop press releases, statements, media pitches, briefing documents, Q&As and other external communications materials.
  
  Respond to media enquiries, identify reputational risks and opportunities, and coordinate interviews and approvals with senior spokespeople and Head Office.

• Act as the principal communications adviser to the UK Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic counsel on corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, emerging issues and communications risks

• Draft local news to be published on the Group’s websites
• Propose social media posts to be shared with HO for publishing on Group’s social media accounts

• Coordinate industry related events, such as trade fairs and exhibitions in the UK
• Coordinate and organise customer events

• Lead the UK communications response to crises, operational incidents and reputational issues, coordinating closely with UK leadership, relevant business functions and Head Office
• Monitor the external environment and emerging issues affecting the business, providing advice, messaging, holding statements, Q&As and stakeholder briefings as required

• Develop and deliver the UK internal communications plan, working with senior leaders, HR and the Engagement Team to ensure colleagues receive timely, clear and engaging business information.
  
  Create content for CMA CGM’s internal communications platform My Sociabble
• Advise senior leaders on leadership communications and prepare speeches, presentations, announcements, talking points and other executive communications.
• Lead communications for organisational change, significant business developments and employee engagement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant government departments, political stakeholders, trade associations and industry bodies to strengthen CMA CGM’s reputation and support its business and policy objectives in the UK.
• Identify and secure strategic speaking, roundtable, panel and thought‑leadership opportunities for senior UK leaders
• Prepare senior leaders for engagement with government, media and industry stakeholders through…