Associate Director-Media Relations

At BCW, we’re an integrated communications agency of thinkers, futurists, technologists and makers who come together to create powerful connections spanning every industry, discipline and culture. We are looking for an Associate Director – Head of Media Relations at Genesis BCW with a minimum of 12 years of experience in media and the public relations industry, with the ideal candidate to have experience in both. An Associate Director will exhibit leadership skills and will be expected to lead a team, provide strategic counsel and act as a Trusted Advisor to both clients and team members. The individual has a strong network with all key media across print (mainline, vernacular and regional), television and wires and online media, connected to all media channels. This position calls for maintaining strong media relations with Mainline and Print publications, Broadcast channels and Online Media. The individual will work in collaboration with our Practices to develop new and maintain existing media relations, formulate media communication strategy, lead media relations for crisis communication and generate regular media trend analysis and maintain a vibrant media contact database. The individual will be responsible for building media intelligence and key influencers into contacts. The individual will also need to monitor functioning of GBCW’s affiliate partners, and in-house associates providing network support where needed. Technical Competencies: This section describes the key areas in which this role will need to deliver results. Technical Competencies are measurable skills to succeed in this role Traditional and New Media Skills: Media Relations : The individual will be responsible for maintaining strong media relations with Mainline, online and vernacular press across domains including the Financial Print Publications, Broadcast channels and Online Media. The individual is required to have a strong network with trade magazine as per practice alignments. The incumbent will be responsible to meet Editors, Bureau Chiefs and Beat correspondents regularly. Media Communication Strategy : The individual will be responsible for mapping media opportunities in all verticals of media i.e. Print, Television and Online. The individual needs to have an excellent understanding of News flow and organizational structure in Media houses. It is preferred that the individual has exceptional knowledge of various sectors and policy matters. Crisis Communication : The individual will need to have the ability to strategize counter-measures in a variety of crisis situation that the clients of the firm might have. Hence it is essential that the individual has strong media relations to execute media outreach in such situations. Media Trend Analysis : The individual will be responsible for management of a comprehensive database and keeping close vigil on media movements. The individual should have the ability to decipher media trends and recommend strategies for improved media exposure. Attends high-level media interviews and events where a senior presence is required Responds to special and complex media inquiries Maintains a network of senior editors and journalists Understands social media and integrates digital products and services into client programs to deliver optimum results Ensures clients and account teams feel confident about how best to utilize new media outlets Work closely with the Head Newsroom and the Newsroom team, to leverage the technologies, tools and analytics to create optimal solutions for our teams and our clients. Other Skills: Seeks opportunities to develop senior level client relationships and serves as the senior point person and trusted advisor for clients Provides overall strategic direction and quality standards and is dedicated to the achievement of outstanding results with a long-term perspective Pro-actively manages client expectations and quickly grasps problems, makes the tough decisions and implements swift action plans to ensure client satisfaction May be required to take an active role in issues and crisis management, media training and messaging workshops Team Leadership Skills: Acts as a leader to client teams and oversees team performance by prioritizing responsibilities and delegating tasks according to the capabilities and experience of team members and client budget and needs Ensures that teams are equipped with the right resources, tools and training to build high performing teams and manage workloads Consistently serves as a positive role model who embodies the values of the firm and exhibits leadership qualities to the team Is an active mentor who serves as a trusted coach and is available in formal and informal ways to guide professional development and grow and retain talent Fosters teamwork and builds morale and motivation within account teams, ensuring that good performance and efforts are recognized. Interested candidates with relevant experience can share their resumes at Reshma.Zahra@genesis-bcw.com