This role reports to the Head of Communications, ICE and MEA (EMEA). The Head of Communications, Middle East, Russia and Baltics will play a key role developing and defending PayPal’s reputation in the region amongst key stakeholders.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Corporate Reputation Management
The role holder will be responsible for developing strategies that enhance PayPal’s reputation as an industry leader in the region. Specifically, the role holder will:
- Develop and execute PR strategies, tactical plans and communication programs in the region;
- Work closely and collaboratively with the wider PayPal Russia teams to develop programs that maintain and enhance PayPal’s reputation as an innovative brand and Customer Champion;
- Manage PR communications support for new business initiatives such as new products and major new brands accepting PayPal;
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key Russian media;
- Work closely with global PayPal Communications colleagues and the local business units to ensure all communications work enhances PayPal’s reputation and programs are balanced/scheduled appropriately;
- Manage local agencies.
Customer Awareness Campaigns
The role holder will be responsible for developing PR strategies that improve consumer and business customer understanding and perceptions of PayPal;
- Develop impactful PR strategies that amplify wider business activities which drive awareness, consideration and activation amongst consumers and businesses.
Issues management
The role holder will be responsible for devising and managing communications programs designed to protect PayPal’s brand and reputation in times of adversity, change or crisis. Key audiences will include customers, media, government, public and internal stakeholders. Specifically, the role holder will:
- Provide sound counsel to the Russian business leaders and leadership teams on issues management with a range of proactive and reactive strategies;
- Work on effective issues management with Global Communications teams, alongside our Government Relations, Legal and business leaders, to respond quickly and effectively to reputational threats;
- Maintain an ongoing level of preparedness by developing a program of media training, updating key messages and ensuring that emerging threats are identified and action is taken to mitigate them.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
- A deep knowledge, passion and experience of building corporate and brand reputation programs;
- Proven experience in managing and delivering highly complex PR projects;
- Ability to successfully lead PR agency activity and other consultancies/suppliers ;
- Successful at working across multiple cross functional, teams and management levels to deliver programs and initiatives;
- Used to generating support for ideas and concepts and getting ‘buy in’ from multiple stakeholders;
- Experience in partnering with senior executives
RELEVANT SKILLS & EDUCATION
- Highly developed verbal, written and presentation skills with a keen eye for detail;
- Team player who works well with people from different cultures;
- Ability to understand and identify peer and customers’ needs, building and maintaining strong working relationships;
- Passion for online payments, eCommerce and PayPal;
- Detail-oriented, highly organized and able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously;
- Needs to be able to thrive in a fast-paced and an unstructured environment while also working independently
- Fluent verbal and written Russian and English essential
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Possess a high degree of integrity and sense of confidentiality;
- Demonstrate managerial maturity;
- Exhibit the PayPal Behaviours and Values at all times.