Public Affairs Officer

**Job Purpose**:
Global Public Affairs is responsible for enhancing and protecting Citi’s reputation throughout the world. In EMEA, GPA includes four key disciplines: media relations, employee communications, institutional branding, and community development.

The Public Affairs Officer in Italy leads the function in the country and is responsible for brand marketing, internal communications, social/ media relations, external engagement and community affairs for Citi. The Public Affairs Officer acts as counsel to the CEO and each of the business heads and executes a communications strategy for the business in Italy in order to maintain and strengthen the bank’s reputation amongst a number of key stakeholders including employees and potential employees; clients; media; opinion formers; government and regulators. The Public Affairs Officer develops and executes best in class communications for these internal and external audiences.

**Job Background**:
The PAO Italy promotes and protects Citi’s reputation in the country. Italy is an important market for Citi business in Europe where the bank operates with ICG businesses. This role s all aspects of GPA’s capabilities.

This is a great opportunity for a creative communicator to get exposure to a large multinational business and develop & execute communications plans that will have major impact.

**Key Responsibilities**:
The PAO Italy leads communication for Citi in the country. The PAO Italy acts as counsel to the Citi Country Officer and each product and function. He/She will execute a public affairs strategy for the business in Italy in order to maintain and strengthen the bank’s reputation. Stakeholders include employees and potential employees; clients; social & traditional media representatives; opinion formers; government and regulators.

The PAO will be responsible for working on the following areas within Italy:
**External Communications**
- Drive media coverage for Citi
- Assist with media relations opportunities that are strategic and aligned to Citi’s strategy, mission and values.
- Manage and coordinate corporate thought leadership initiatives for the firm (conferences, speaker series, etc)
- Develop background briefing documents and speaking notes for senior executives who are speaking at conferences and events
- develop and amplify brand activities in the external market - sponsorships etc
- Work with the Global Social Media team to ensure all local social content is aligned with global content
- Operate as a key media contact for all issues relating to Citi franchise
- Handle crisis scenarios - provide strategic advice to management and handle media inquiries
- Conduct comprehensive media monitoring on a regular basis. Topics are relevant to Citi, competition and include economic/political issues.

**Employee Communications and Engagement**
- Developing and executing internal engagement plans and initiatives for the country
- Delivering regular communications to all employees, ensuring messages are clear, consistent, in the right tone of voice and aligned to global messaging
- Planning and managing internal communications channels and content calendars
- Liaising with colleagues across the business to ensure that internal channels are accurately reflecting the broad scope of activities happening across the site
- Planning and managing employee engagement events across the site
- Developing content for events, including speaking notes, running order, and presentations

**Community Development**
- Planning, managing and monitoring community projects in partnership with local & regional NGOs and Citi Foundation. This includes:

- Follow-up with NGOs on progress of the project as per plan (regular reports)
- Liaise with NGO/Citi Foundation on specific issues pertaining to the funded projects.
- Lead the volunteering efforts carried out in conjunction with the community projects, which are supported by the bank. This includes soliciting Citi volunteers/briefing volunteers/liaising with NGOs.

**Person Specification**

**Qualifications**:

- Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations or Journalism required or equivalent communications experience preferred

**Competencies**
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Italian and English; other European languages a plus.
- Extremely organised and thorough with an eye for detail
- Strong event management skills
- Ability to perform under pressure and work to meet deadlines
- Excellent planning skills
- Creativity and initiative to develop ideas from concept to execution
- Able to work independently and manage time
- Ability to take responsibility and work independently
- Ability to follow up and follow through with projects when faced with challenges and obstacles

**Person Specification**

**Knowledge/Experience**:

- 6-10 year experience preferred, either in-house or agency.
- Experience in both communications and event management
- Experience in conten