Description
The Communications & Corporate Affairs Lead, Asia is a key regional delivery role within Linklaters' global communications and corporate affairs function.
You will lead the firm's communications function in Asia, ensuring the highest standards in communications activity, including media engagement, reputational risk mitigation, and transparent corporate reporting.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the communications function in Asia, building trust among senior stakeholders and developing a reputation for excellence.
- Ensure the regional communications function and activities are connected to and consistent with the firm's global communications strategy and priorities.
- Develop and deliver a multi-stakeholder regional communications plan; oversee the delivery of milestones on the regional communications calendar.
- Develop and implement regional strategies for media engagement, fostering strong relationships with journalists, industry commentators, and key external stakeholders.
- Advise senior leadership and oversee the development and delivery of proactive media campaigns, key announcements, and thought leadership, maximising reach and impact.
- Oversee the delivery of key communications collateral, including press releases, statements, Q&A documents, and briefing materials, ensuring readiness for public and regulatory scrutiny.
- Serve as the regional communications point person for high-profile reputational threats or issues, coordinating responses, and ensuring rapid mobilisation of resources, in line with agreed global frameworks.
- Analyse trends, monitor the firm's media coverage and sentiment, and report insights to inform executive and board-level decisions and identify emerging reputational risks.
- Manage engagement with other teams involved in planning, engagement and delivery in the region (e.g. Marketing and Business Development teams).
- Manage, develop and support two direct reports, fostering an environment of collaboration and ongoing professional growth.
- Manage relationships with external agencies engaged to support communications in the region.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience leading communications function(s) in Asia for a global organisation, ideally within professional services or a regulated sector.
- Significant experience in media relations and crisis communications with a proven track record advising on and delivering high-stakes media and crisis engagements at executive level.
- Leadership experience, including direct management and development of communications professionals.
- Deep familiarity with the region's media landscapes and existing strong network of media relationships.
- Experience of delivering culturally-sensitive communication strategies.
- Strong experience coordinating cross-border, multi-stakeholder projects, especially in periods of high scrutiny or change.
- Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relating to public disclosures and communications in key jurisdictions in the region.
Additional skills:
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with strong editorial judgement and attention to detail and the ability to distil complex information into clear, compelling messages.
- Strong influencing and advisory skills, confident with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
- Strategic, analytical, and solutions-focused, with confidence operating in sensitive or fast-moving situations.
- Strong organisational and project-management skills, able to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Digital fluency, including experience with analytics, monitoring tools, and modern communications platforms.
- Culturally aware and comfortable working with global teams and stakeholders.
- Professional, discreet, and resilient, with sound judgement under pressure around when to escalate matters or seek senior input.
- Committed to fostering best practices, continuous improvement, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration within a global team.
- Ability to lead, coach and inspire direct reports in a centre of excellence environment.