Title: 4094: Issues Management APAC

The Issues Management associate director for the Asia Pacific (APAC) will help promote, protect and defend the Accenture brand across the region including Japan, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Southeast Asia (SEA), the Philippines, Greater China (GC) and India.  They will coordinate with colleagues to support risk analysis and mitigation for high profile client pursuits, strategic talent initiatives, as well as ongoing engagements and projects in these markets and will contribute to strategic planning, execution and management of a host of other projects and responsibilities handled by the Issues Management team.

As part of the Issues Management team this role will report to the Managing Director Issues Management Lead which is a function within Corporate Communications Strategy and Insights. This role will work cross-functionally in a highly matrixed environment with a diverse team of innovative team marketing and communications teams focused on the following areas:

Global brand management and advertising; global events and sponsorships; people engagement; marketing research; media and industry analyst relations; corporate and financial communications; digital marketing; recruitment marketing; portfolio/client-centric marketing; and industry, service line and geographic marketing campaigns.

The role will work closely with the business/client teams, government relations, HR/ER, GPS, Legal and corporate communications leadership on potential issues, mitigation planning, and readiness to ensure rapid response powered by consistent, disciplined messaging for key channels.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly motivated, well-seasoned communications professional with proven media relations experience and a track record of providing strategic guidance on complex issues, issues readiness and crisis management. They will be detail-oriented, a proactive team player and a leader who possesses exemplary judgment, impeccable writing skills and an ability to turn abstract and complicated issues into simple and powerful narratives.

Critical requirements include:

• Proven media relations experience managing crisis situations and extensive experience interacting with and influencing reporters to shape a narrative and protect a brand’s reputation in the media.

• Awareness of members of the media and editors in global media outlets with an emphasis on those based in APAC.

• Experience working at a media relations organization or a corporate communications function at a large multi-national company.

• Broad based business acumen and ability to quickly grasp Accenture’s business strategy.

• Global perspective and understanding of business marketplace; quick thinking with an inquisitive nature and desire to learn about economic and business drives, the technology ecosystem and all aspects of Accenture’s business.

• Proven, impeccable judgment, particularly in high intensity situations

• Able to support and influence leaders at all levels of the organization through relationship building and executive-level presence.

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic support and counsel

• Experience working directly with media – including podcasters, influencers and non-traditional outlets

• Understanding of the social media environment and its impact on the company’s brand

• Exceptionally detail oriented yet equally flexible and agile. Thrive with ambiguity.

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks under high intensity/tight deadlines.

• Ability to be flexible and work analytically in a problem-solving environment.

• Innovative/creative problem-solving skills.

• Passion for executing deliverables and programs of the highest quality possible.

• Impeccable judgement – and exceptional communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills

• Excellent negotiation, influence, mediation and conflict management skills. Specific responsibilities include: Anticipate and provide counsel to senior leaders and key stakeholders in the Americas on critical issues relevant to the Company.

• Develop rapid response strategies, statements and talking points for media and other stakeholders to help mitigate potential negative media coverage in these markets.

• Coach/train designated senior spokespersons and others, in collaboration with GR/Legal and Media Relations, to represent the company externally on effective interactions with public affairs leaders.

• Work with media and senior industry analysts, and client executives and other stakeholders to help develop content and appropriate strategies and tactics to ensure the effective and timely responses needed to address external requests and needs, while adhering to the company’s Policies and established processes.

• If needed and appropriate, drive the development, writing and editing of news statements or releases, working with global media relations, client engagement
   

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in direct media relations, issues management, and corporate communications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Experience in a large global enterprise strongly preferred

• Proven strategic, analytical thinking skills, with demonstrated excellence in creating and articulating positions

• Extensive experience working directly with media across all mediums and networks in one or more key media markets of APAC.

• Experience in integrated communications, including in-depth knowledge of global digital platforms (web, mobile, social), face-to-face channels, content strategy, publishing and management

• A highly-detailed and creative, state-of-the-art communications professional who understands emerging technologies and media and has a passion for exploring new methods of communicating

• Impeccable writing, editing, presentation and oral communications skills

• Ability to quickly build trusted relationships with senior government and industry thought leaders

• Ability to advise leaders within Accenture’s large, matrixed organization through effective relationship-building skills and an executive-level presence: a confident, proactive, collaborative counselor

• Understanding of Accenture’s business and strategy

• Ability to work well under pressure, as this role must deliver high-quality counseling and communications under tight deadlines.

To be filled by the recruiter

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities.

Visit us at www.accenture.com 

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