Director of External Media Relations
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
VEON is seeking a Director of External Communications to lead global media, financial communications, and reputation management. The role involves developing media strategy, managing crisis communications, and coordinating cross-market media relations for a Nasdaq-listed digital operator.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the Group's external media relations strategy, aligned with VEON's corporate strategy, AI1440 transformation agenda and investor narrative
- Serve as a senior advisor to the Group Head of Communications, CEO and VEON leadership Team on media positioning, message development and reputational risk
- Lead media engagement around quarterly earnings, annual results, M&A activity, capital markets transactions and other material announcements
- Cultivate and manage relationships with financial journalists and analysts' media channels covering telecommunications and emerging markets
- Position VEON as a leading voice on AI adoption, digital financial services and technology in Tier 1 international media
- Own the Group's crisis communications framework for external media, including escalation protocols, holding statements etc.
- Act as the functional lead for external media relations across the Group, guiding and supporting OpCo communications heads
- Manage HQ media relations resources, including agencies, retainers, monitoring services etc.
Requirements
- 12+ years in media relations, corporate communications or journalism, with at least 5 years in a senior role at a publicly listed multinational, top tier communications consultancy or major news organization
- Demonstrable experience supporting a US listed company (Nasdaq/NYSE) through earnings cycles, material announcements and disclosure sensitive communications
- Proven track record of securing and managing tier one international media coverage
- Hands on crisis communications experience, ideally in complex, multi jurisdiction or politically sensitive environments
- Exceptional written and verbal communication in English
Full Job Posting
Position Summary
- The Director of External Communications leads VEON’s global media, financial communications and reputation management agenda, protecting and strengthening the Group’s reputation across all markets in which it operates.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the Group's external media relations strategy, aligned with VEON's corporate strategy, AI1440 transformation agenda and investor narrative
- Serve as a senior advisor to the Group Head of Communications, CEO and VEON leadership Team on media positioning, message development and reputational risk
- Oversee and maintain the Group's media relations calendar, integrating earnings cycles, strategic announcements, industry events and market level milestones
- Establish media relations standards, protocols and playbooks for adoption across all operating companies
- Lead media engagement around quarterly earnings, annual results, M&A activity, capital markets transactions and other material announcements
- Ensure all external media activity complies with Nasdaq disclosure requirements, SEC regulations and internal disclosure controls
- Cultivate and manage relationships with financial journalists and analysts' media channels covering telecommunications and emerging markets
- Prepare executives for financial media interviews, earnings related press engagement and investor conference media opportunities
- Position VEON as a leading voice on AI adoption, digital financial services and technology in Tier 1 international technology, finance and business media
- Identify, shape and place stories drawn from the Group's operating companies and digital assets
- Develop executive visibility programs, including op eds, keynote media opportunities, podcast placements and profile interviews
- Lead media activity around flagship events and Group level campaigns
Crisis & Issues Management
- Own the Group's crisis communications framework for external media, including escalation protocols, holding statements etc.
- Provide rapid response counsel and hands on execution during crises, geopolitical developments, regulatory actions, network incidents and reputational events
- Run regular crisis simulations and media training for Group and OpCo spokespeople
- Monitor emerging issues across all markets and provide early warning intelligence and scenario planning
Cross Market Coordination & Team Leadership
- Act as the functional lead for external media relations across the Group, guiding and supporting OpCo communications heads without direct line management
- Manage HQ media relations resources, including agencies, retainers, monitoring services etc.
- Build a network of trusted media contacts globally
- Manage the media relations budget and measure effectiveness through share of voice, sentiment, message pull through, coverage quality metrics etc.
Experience & Skills
- 12+ years in media relations, corporate communications or journalism, with at least 5 years in a senior role at a publicly listed multinational, top tier communications consultancy or major news organization
- Demonstrable experience supporting a US listed company (Nasdaq/NYSE) through earnings cycles, material announcements and disclosure sensitive communications
- Proven track record of securing and managing tier one international media coverage (financial wires, global business press, technology media)
- Hands on crisis communications experience, ideally in complex, multi jurisdiction or politically sensitive environments
- Experience in telecommunications, technology, fintech or adjacent sectors strongly preferred
- Experience working in a matrixed, multi market organization, influencing without direct authority
- Exceptional written and verbal communication in English, with the ability to draft press releases, statements, Q&As and executive talking points to a publication ready standard under time pressure
- Strong grasp of capital markets communications, including disclosure rules and the interplay between media relations and investor relations
- Established personal network among journalists at international outlets, financial media platforms and technology outlets
- Composure and decisiveness in crisis situations, including out of hours availability across multiple time zones
- Strong command of media monitoring, measurement and analytics tools; comfort using AI enabled communications tools
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