Head Of

Role title:

Head of PR

Colt Level:

Business Unit:

Strategy & Transformation Office

Reports to:

VP. Global Communications

Location:

London

Role purpose

At Colt we are changing the perception of our business and industry sector. Our purpose is to transform the way the world works through the power of connectivity.

With an international reach but a deep local presence, we’re a global company with unique local experience that can drive organisations forward. From the fibre running beneath streets to the voice networks connecting phones, we’re making the world more connected.

Reporting to the VP, Global Communications, this role will hold a strategic responsibility for leading, shaping and implementing Colt’s PR plans to support business goals, growth targets and drive brand awareness across the globe.

Driving an effective PR strategy and activities will be in your DNA and you lead by example.

Key accountabilities

• Manage Colt’s global PR strategy and tactics.
• Lead a small team of PR managers who manage our global PR agency network. (7 agencies)
• Manage Colt’s PR budget, ensuring we are driving a return on investment.
• Manage defined KPIs and monthly reporting of these.
• In-depth understanding of PR functions with in-house B2B vendor experience – includes authoring press releases, bylined articles, blogs, media responses and briefing documents.
• Experience in managing PR centred events including press conferences and partner PR activities.
• Work closely with the wider communications team to ensure our messaging is accurate and up to date.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the business to ensure we are leveraging the key subject matter experts across our organisation.
• Manage all regional PR activities to increase efficiency year on year.
• Manage in-bound analyst relations activities closely with Analyst relations team.
• Fully understand metrics that matter in order to ensure we are driving a return on investment across our PR activities.
• Manage Colt’s crisis communication and the role of PR in managing it effectively.
• Creating material to support industry events where key spokespeople are active (Executive Team).
• Fully understand the dynamics of each key spokesperson and look for valuable opportunities to promote thought leadership across media and social media channels.
• A creative thinker who understands technology and the importance of thought leadership to drive brand awareness.

Key performance indicators (financial and non-financial)

• Monthly positive mentions – focus on year-on-year quality and quantity, ensuring we remain focused on Tier 1 media.
• Annual award entries – understand where there is opportunity to enter, working with teams to draft and sign-off entries when required.
• Maintain an updated content pipeline.
• Manage Colt’s key spokespeople matrix ensuring the wider team offer training and support – work to agreed metric on how many interactions we want to achieve per month.
• Develop Colt’s key media messaging.
• Manage Colt’s PR budget with wider team.
• Collaborate with partner eco system and understand how we can drive customer stories to deliver quality coverage.
• Manage education piece internally to help the organisation understands the benefit of PR.

Relationships and key contacts

• Strong Executive Leadership engagements
• Collaborates across Colt to ensure we remain focused on all of our geographies.
• Relationship building across Colt’s ecosystem to ensure we are maximising these relationships.
• Along with wider PR team, manage relationships with our PR agencies.
• Exceptional personal network which includes relevant media contacts.

Role specific requirements

Skills & Experience

• Have a proactive approach and a thirst to stay one step ahead.
• Have strong, analytical and consultative communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Be an influencer and natural manager of relationships.
• Understand the telecoms market structure (sub-segments, retail and wholesale).
• Be both a self-starter and a team player.
• Own the issues, from project beginnings through to presenting findings.
• Be ambitious to keep learning.
• Has a strong background in public relations.
• Familiar with PR metrics monitoring tools such as Meltwater.
• Ability to communicate, present and influence at Executive level.

Person specification

• Result oriented with high commitment, resilience and a positive attitude.
• Proven track record of building B2B PR activities to increase share of voice and build brand equity.
• Commercially minded, with a good understanding of the B2B sales cycle.
• Strategic thinking with an entrepreneurial spirit – passionate, persuasive and inspiring.
• Professional appearance and a level of ‘presence’ to gain acceptance at Board level in order to create a positive impact and influence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree / MBA in business / technology preferred.
• Exceptional English.