About this role
THIS IS YOU To be successful in this role, we believe that you have excellent functional expertise in Media Relations & PR, strategic/operational, including digital tools and channels. You also have exceptional editorial management and writing skills, producing external editorial/media materials and speeches/presentations, both in English and Swedish language. You also have: Strong relevant media network Advisory skills to support President and leadership with communications and media relations handling Team player with excellent interpersonal skills, building lasting relationships across networks, functional and geographical areas - working in a matrix environment Outstanding presentations skills and ability to inspire and influence others Understanding of Public Affairs related matters and processes Understanding of and interest in technology and sustainability matters Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize and initiate change Commercial drive and customer success in focus, enabling a profitable business Creative approach with a proactive problem solving personality Integrity and high ethical standards, supporting the Volvo Group core values Negotiation capabilities with external partners THE EXPERIENCE YOU BRING WITH YOU Extensive International media relations management & PR experience Experience of developing and deploying strategic media relations and PR programs Leading collaboration with external partners and agencies Academic degree in Business, Journalism, Communications or equivalent education and training THIS IS US Media Relations & PR, a practice within the Global Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs function (GMC) provides VBC with global media outreach, corporate reputation management and relationships handling when servicing representatives from the media and other key external stakeholder institutions with VBC information and access to VBC spokespersons. The function is responsible for VBC Media Relations & PR Strategy, External Editorial Messaging, Media Relations News desk and Network Operations, Press Releases, Press Conferences and external Speeches, Beyond Trade Media Outreach, Spokes Person Support and Issues Communications etc. VBC handles four brands (Volvo, Prevost, Nova Bus and UD) and sells its products and services in +80 countries. The role requires collaboration with the VBC President and Executive Committee, and other global functions. The other practices within GMC include Marketing, Digital Marketing & Communications Development, Internal Communications, and Public Affairs. THIS IS THE ROLE As our Head of Media Relations & PR your purpose is to enable our company reputation, business relationships and commercial progress by positioning VBC as a leader in sustainable people transport solutions, promoting our trustworthy story and compelling value proposition with external news outlets and other editorial media and key stakeholders. We are now looking for an outstanding candidate to take on this role to further enhance the Media Relations & PR capability of VBC. The position as Head of Media Relations & PR requires maintaining and developing an internal network of communications professionals in all local markets as well as at Volvo Group level. The role has no direct reports, but leadership capabilities to develop the function’s strategic impact and business contribution further is important, just as managing external agency partners. The bus business is changing rapidly with electromobility products entering the market in heavy competition. Accelerating developments in connectivity and autonomous driving are also transforming the industry going forward, resulting in a growing interest from the media and other key stakeholders. The role is located at the VBC Headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. International travelling may be required. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Media Relations strategy, processes and governance Planning, budgeting and control of media activities Spokesperson, news desk and press contact Editorial media messaging coordination and alignment Production of media materials and events, incl. press conferences, press releases, Q&As etc. Proactively and reactively Support VBC’s President in the media and with speeches Drive Media Relations in close collaboration with Public Affairs and other functional practices such as Global Marketing, Digital Marketing & Communications Development, and Internal Communications Develop and nurture an external network of national and international key media relationships, providing premium media service through high availability, efficient execution and correctness in all communication Functional performance management for continuous improvement, reporting and follow-up Issues handling and crisis communications Initiate, co-ordinate and provide media training for ordinary and/or temporary spokespersons For questions please contact: Stefan Nerpin, SVP Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs, on: +46 (0)765 53 40 39 The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines under the leading brands Volvo, Renault Trucks, Mack, UD Trucks, Eicher, SDLG, Terex Trucks, Prevost, Nova Bus, UD Bus and Volvo Penta. Volvo Buses, is driven by a purpose to ensure that millions of people reach their travel destination every day. Reliably, safely and with respect for the environment. We want to make a difference, being pioneers of sustainable transport solutions of the future. We want to be there for our customers providing uptime and reliability, all over the world every day. Volvo Buses is leading the biggest technology shift in public transport in decades with our electromobility offer. We work with passion, we trust each other and we embrace change to stay ahead. We make our customers win.