Head of Crisis and Risk, EMEA
London
Edelman – Corporate /
Full-Time /
Hybrid
As the EMEA Crisis Lead, you will be responsible for leading and growing the Crisis & Riskoffering, which is part of Edelman’s Corporate practice. Reporting to the Head of Global Crisis & Risk, your role will involve new business development, overseeing and developing Edelman’s IP related to crisis communications, providing strategic counsel to both clients and peers, developing crisis management protocols, delivering training and coaching to C-suite clientsand leading aregional team of crisis communications experts. Your expertise will be crucial in safeguarding our clients' reputations and guiding them through complex crises that may arise in the ever-evolving global landscape.
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategy:
- Serve as the primary leader and visionary for the EMEA crisis management offering, setting strategic goals, and driving the overall direction of the group in coordination with the wider Global Crisis & Risk team.
- Develop innovative crisis management strategies, frameworks and IP that are leading industry best practices, considering the unique needs and challenges of different regions and industries.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to integrate crisis management initiatives into the company's broader business strategies.
- Raise the profile of Edelman’s Crisis & Risk capabilities in the region.
- Work with Edelman Smithfield (financial) and EGA (Public Affairs) to find ways to grow business together across these disciplines.
Client Relationship Management:
- Act as a trusted advisor to clients, understanding their specific crisis management needs and providing strategic counsel during times of crisis.
- Lead high-level crisis management engagements for key clients, ensuring effective communication, risk assessment, and reputation management.
- Develop and deliver training, simulation and coaching programs for clients at a senior level.
- Foster long-term relationships with clients, proactively identifying potential risks and developing crisis response plans tailored to their organizations.
- Identify ways to grow long-term Reputation & Risk partnerships with brands that have begun as Crisis assignments.
Crisis Response and Communication:
- Oversee crisis response efforts, guiding the team in assessing, planning, and executing comprehensive crisis communication strategies for clients.
- Provide senior counsel to clients and be able to work and think in a multiple-stakeholder environment.
- Stay abreast of emerging crises, industry trends, and global events that may impact clients' reputations, providing real-time counsel and rapid response strategies.
- Advise on messaging, media relations, and digital communications strategies to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of crises.
- Develop and incorporate AI capabilities into the team to strengthen and deepen the quality of work we can provide our clients.
Team Management and Development:
- Provide daily strategic counsel, guidance, and leadership to team members
- Communicate a compelling and inspiring vision of future possibilities and direction to team
- Create a climate that encourages entrepreneurial behavior, learning, and collaboration
- Drive capability growth and business growth strategies
- Partner with crisis team members across the globe to better fuel the overarching growth of the firm
- Ensure constant professional development of team, consistently holding self and team accountable for behavior and performance
- Establish sense of Crisis community and ongoing knowledge sharing
- Proactively offer Crisisexpertise and strategic counsel to Edelman teams and be requested in equal measure
- Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Edelman’s values
Business Development and Thought Leadership:
- Actively contribute to business development efforts, collaborating with the regions to identify and pursue new crisis management opportunities.
- Enhance the company's reputation as a thought leader in crisis management through speaking engagements, industry conference participation, and publication of articles or whitepapers.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
- Extensive experience (15+ years) in crisis communications and reputation management, with a focus on EMEA crisis response.
- Comfortable and experienced in working with multiple stakeholder groups including regulators, politicians, customers, shareholders, suppliers, employees and media
- Proven track record of successfully managing high-profile crises for multinational corporations or prominent organizations on a global level
- Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a diverse team.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate risks, develop proactive crisis plans, and make critical decisions under pressure.
- Experienced in coaching and training senior leadership teams
- Ability to grasp and assimilate complex situations and develop strategies in an efficient and effective way
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong client relationships and effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- Deep knowledge of crisis communication tools, social media platforms, and digital communication strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in business development, including client acquisition and relationship management.
- Recognized industry expert with a strong network and involvement in professional organizations.
Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Age’s 2019 A-List; the Holmes Report’s 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).
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