External Communications Director - North America

If you are a current AzC employee and wish to refer a candidate for this role, please click here for instructions and eligibility criteria   

Cluster:  Allianz Professional

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 an External Communications Director. 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 Regional Head of Communication, the Director, External Communications, North America (NA) will be responsible for day-to-day media engagement and reputation management. Accountabilities include maintaining strong relationships with tier one, business, and trade reporters, serving as a key storyteller, building external messaging for, and effectively amplifying, NA businesses and leaders, supporting the social media strategy and execution, and overseeing the media relations agency team. The Director will build and maintain a NA Center of Excellence for media relations and external positioning to further develop and align with standard methodologies across the firm.

Some of your specific responsibilities could include:  

• Build an NA Center of Excellence for media engagement and external communications to drive an aligned and coordinated approach to proactive and reactive media relations and issues management.
• Develop journalist relationships, pitch and secure media coverage and respond to media queries, develop industry awards and distinctions to advance commercial objectives and influence positive perceptions of Allianz’ reputation, thought leadership and social impact in NA.
• Build messaging plans to showcase line of business leaders and strategies and secure industry exposure; establish and continually update crisis communications preparedness protocols; implement distribution of corporate press releases, media advisories and updates.
• Lead NA media monitoring and reporting to generate consistent reports on coverage (trends, share of voice, sentiment, etc.), social media conversation and other reputational drivers to continually refine approach; develop and lead a program preparing key leaders and others throughout the firm to participate in media interviews and public speaking opportunities; oversee agency engagement and accountabilities to ensure measurability and performance.
• Alongside the above responsibilities, the role will also support and contribute to other Regional and Global Communications team activities, including media related activities and ad hoc projects.
• Coach any Communications professionals to enable them to perform their role effectively, including overseeing any specific tasks which you involve them with, ensuring that they are fully involved in team activities, sharing knowledge and tasks with them and encouraging them to perform at high level of effectiveness.
• Regular travel within US and Canada to AZC offices and events. Occasional international travel will be required to other AZC countries - mainly Germany (e.g., for annual workshops or specific events).

What You’ll Bring to the Role –  

• A minimum 7 years’ corporate communications track record with hands-on experience of media relations, ideally in North America.
• 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.
• A bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in Journalism, communications or business. And professional communications qualification/certification highly desirable.
• Knowledge of social and traditional media relations and 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.
• 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 $106,400 to $182,333. 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.

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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