Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications (Strategic Communications and Media)

About the role

This is a hands-on leadership role leading the development and delivery of SBF's strategic narratives, policy communications, media relations and thought leadership. Working with policy and business divisions, senior leaders and external agencies, you turn complex business issues into clear, compelling communications that strengthen SBF's relevance, influence and reputation. The role covers communications briefs from strategy through execution across policy communications, corporate announcements, thought leadership and major organisational priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Communications strategy: develop communication strategies, message houses and story angles aligned with advocacy priorities and strategic initiatives, and lead communications for key corporate priorities with subject-matter owners.
• Media coordination: coordinate with internal stakeholders, partners and agencies to ensure sustained media interest and message consistency, and write and edit press releases, leadership messages, talking points and briefing documents.
• Media relations: build relationships with journalists and editors locally and regionally, pitch stories, lead media queries, briefings and interview preparation, and prepare spokespeople.
• Thought leadership: develop op-eds, commentaries and interviews that strengthen SBF's voice and influence.
• Issues and reputation management: monitor business, policy and media developments, assess reputational implications, develop holding statements, Q&As and response plans, advise on sensitive messaging and escalate high-stakes matters to the Director and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer.
• Integrated communications: work with campaign, organic social and digital marketing colleagues to keep narratives consistent across earned, owned, shared and paid channels, guide editorial quality, plan content reuse and evaluate effectiveness through coverage quality, message pull-through and spokesperson visibility.
• Agency management: manage appointed PR agencies on scope, workplans, deliverables, timelines, editorial standards and performance.

Required profile

• Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in strategic or corporate communications, public relations, policy communications or journalism, including leading complex communications assignments independently.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience.
• Demonstrated media relations experience and knowledge of the local and regional business media landscape.
• Experience in business, economic policy, trade or regional affairs is an advantage.

Required skills

• Excellent English writing and editing, able to produce strong first drafts and turn technical material into accessible stories.
• Strong judgement on sensitive issues, preparing spokespeople and advising senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work across stakeholders, manage agencies and competing deadlines, and own both strategy and execution.