Regional Communications and PR Manager

Job description / Role

A vital position for the GM MEO Communications teams in the core areas of:
- Communication strategy
- Reputation management
- Leadership positioning
- Employee engagement
- Brand / product positioning
- Crisis communication
- Issues management
- Influencer media relations

To lead the GM MEO Communications strategy and execution related to:
- Office of the President and Managing Director, GM MEO Communications
- Executive Communications
- Internal Communications
- Corporate Communications
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Brand & Product Communications
- Stakeholder Communications including customers, dealers, govt officials, influencers, joint venture partners, suppliers
- Crisis Communications/Issues Management
- Roadmap to EXCELLENCE (GM International (GMI) region-wide Communications strategy)
- Communications Agency Oversight

Roles and Responsibilities:

Corporate, Executive and Internal Communications
- Integrate MEO communications strategy into the overall MEO business strategy
- Tease, Launch and Sustain phases critical
- Lead global positioning of the GM brand throughout GM MEO to rebuild reputation
- Develop and lead the GM MEO corporate communications strategy with a focus on Telling the GM Story in MEO
- Develop and lead GM MEO communications strategy for the corporate staffs including finance, HR, IT, legal and PP/GR
- Develop and lead GM MEO corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications strategy
- Develop and lead the GM MEO executive communications strategy with a focus on leadership positioning including the President and Managing Director of GM MEO and key local senior leaders
- Develop and lead the GM MEO internal communications strategy with a focus on the companys new purpose/values and strategic direction; lead the shift in the region from traditional internal communications to leader/employee engagement
- Develop and lead GM MEO influencer communications strategy for key stakeholders including employees, dealers, customers, govt officials, media, opinion leaders and suppliers
- Develop and lead GM MEO crisis/issues communications strategy with a focus on establishing a local communications crisis team
- Establish and maintain a strategic approach to issues management including anticipation, reaction and best practice management
- Deliver real-time, seamless issues management briefings to senior management
- Drive the GMI region-wide Roadmap to EXCELLENCE communications strategy throughout GM MEO
- Play an active role in the GMI region-wide communications leadership forums including the leadership summits and annual communicators conference
- Lead GM MEO spokesperson for all business-related initiatives

Brand and Product Communications
- Develop and lead GM MEO brand & product communications strategy
- Lead GM MEO global brand positioning for Chevrolet and Cadillac communications and international brand positioning for GMC communications
- Develop and lead communications strategy for all GM MEO brand & product related initiatives including auto shows, marketing campaigns, vehicle launches, customer events, etc.
- Develop and lead creative GM MEO communications strategies and plans to complement brand & product related initiatives such as Chevrolet Football (ManU and OWF), Customer Care, etc.
- Develop and lead GM MEO quality and safety communications strategy
- Lead GM MEO spokesperson for all brand, product, marketing, quality and safety initiatives

Team Management
- Overall responsibility for building a GM MEO world-class communications team
- Effective oversight of monitoring and implementation of communications work across all GM MEO offices
- Maintain strong relationships with the GM International (GMI) organization, regional and global communications teams
- Responsible for building strong relationships with key external opinion leaders including media and other third parties to establish credibility for GM, its leadership, brands and products
- Be available to GM MEO team and media on a 24-hour, 7-day per week basis for comment on all corporate, brand and product matters; respond to all media enquiries in a timely manner

Administrative
- Serve as GM MEO strategic advisor regarding metrics
- Develop KPIs for measuring communications initiatives across GM MEO
- Drive consistency and standards in communications across GM MEO
- Lead the development of communications templates/toolkits to drive consistency through GM MEO
- Oversee and direct the management of the GM MEO communications budget

Requirements

- Bachelor's degree+ or equivalent with emphasis on communications, business strategy and planning or a related field such as journalism
- At least 10 years experience in global communications or journalism
- Substantial experience in corporate affairs, preferably in a senior media relations position
- Proven communications management skills
- Proven record of managing media and promotional events
- Proven ability to handle live media interviews and related media interface
- Strong budget/fiscal management skills

Skills & Behaviors
- Deep understanding of automotive business (GM and its competitors)
- Experience, high maturity level and confidence in dealing with senior executives; ability to provide solid counsel related to communications strategy and execution with all key stakeholders
- Strong leadership capabilities
- Crisis communications experience; high level of analytical ability where issues/challenges are unusual and difficult
- Excellent national language skills (English mandatory)
- Self-initiative and the ability to work independently
- Demonstrated technical and professional skills in all communications-related areas
- Appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to work effectively with business partners to meet mutual goals
- Strong interpersonal skills to ensure a sound basis of long-term relationships
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Excellent project management skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Knowledge of computer software, internet, social media

About the Company

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM), one of the worlds largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GMs largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Russia. GMs OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.

With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM is headquartered in four major locations: GM Europe; North America (GMNA); South America; and GM International Operations (GMIO) is located in Shanghai, China. GMIO covers Asia Pacific and Middle East.

GM Middle East started in 1920s and the brands that are sold in the region are Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC supported by a unique set of customer-focused services. GM parts and accessories are sold under the GM Parts and ACDelco brands. The regional office in Dubai covers the companys operations in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen in 20 dealerships.

GM has 2 facilities here in Middle East one is in Dubai World Trade Centre and the other, Middle East Distribution Corporation, which is located in Jebel Ali.