Communications & External Affairs Manager

CMA CGM | ABOUT US 

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, true to its corporate Purpose: We imagine better ways to serve a world in motion. 

The CMA CGM group serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents, wtih a fleet of over 700 vessels. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

YOUR ROLE 

The Communications & External Affairs Manager is responsible for developing and delivering CMA CGM’s communications, external affairs and CSR strategy in the UK. As the organisation’s principal UK communications adviser, the role protects and enhances CMA CGM’s reputation, supports the UK Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team, builds relationships with key media and stakeholders, and ensures effective communication with colleagues, customers and external audiences.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Contribute to the development, quality control and implementation of the UK communications plan and manage the communication budget accordingly.
• Act as guardian of the CMA CGM brand in the UK, ensuring communications and event materials comply with Group brand and communications standards.
• Translate Group and European Regional Office communications priorities into effective UK plans, while providing advice on UK market, media and stakeholder considerations.
• Build effective relationships across UK business functions and with European Regional Office and Head Office teams to identify communications opportunities, gather information and ensure timely delivery and approval of communications.
• Manage communications agencies, designers, event suppliers and other external partners, including briefing, procurement, delivery and performance management.

Press and media relations:

• Initiate and maintain positive productive relationships with media journalists and relevant media through consistent contacts to inform and coordinate interviews
• Develop press releases, statements, media pitches, briefing documents, Q&As and other external communications materials.Respond to media enquiries, identify reputational risks and opportunities, and coordinate interviews and approvals with senior spokespeople and Head Office.

Senior leadership and strategic counsel:

• Act as the principal communications adviser to the UK Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic counsel on corporate reputation, stakeholder engagement, emerging issues and communications risks

Social media and digital content:

• Draft local news to be published on the Group’s websites
• Propose social media posts to be shared with HO for publishing on Group’s social media accounts

Customer communications:

• Coordinate industry related events, such as trade fairs and exhibitions in the UK
• Coordinate and organise customer events

Crisis communications:

• Lead the UK communications response to crises, operational incidents and reputational issues, coordinating closely with UK leadership, relevant business functions and Head Office
• Monitor the external environment and emerging issues affecting the business, providing advice, messaging, holding statements, Q&As and stakeholder briefings as required

Internal:

• Develop and deliver the UK internal communications plan, working with senior leaders, HR and the Engagement Team to ensure colleagues receive timely, clear and engaging business information.Create content for CMA CGM’s internal communications platform MySociabble
• Advise senior leaders on leadership communications and prepare speeches, presentations, announcements, talking points and other executive communications.
• Lead communications for organisational change, significant business developments and employee engagement initiatives.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant government departments, political stakeholders, trade associations and industry bodies to strengthen CMA CGM’s reputation and support its business and policy objectives in the UK.
• Identify and secure strategic speaking, roundtable, panel and thought-leadership opportunities for senior UK leaders
• Prepare senior leaders for engagement with government, media and industry stakeholders through comprehensive briefings, key messages and supporting materials

CSR:

• Develop and deliver the UK CSR strategy and annual programme, managing the associated budget and building engagement among colleagues, customers and external partners.
• Lead the UK CSR flagship partnership, managing the partner relationship, programme delivery, volunteering, webinars, KPI reporting and internal and external communications.
• Measure and report the impact of UK CSR activity to UK leadership, the European Regional Office and Head Office.
• Other duties as assigned

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR | KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

• Experience in public relations required with demonstrated skills in developing, managing and delivering communications
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt complex information for media, employees, customers, government stakeholders and senior leaders.Strong interpersonal skills with emphasis on relationship development and project management
• Experience in engaging with trade associations and government departments to build brand awareness
• Must be self-motivated and independent, able to work with minimum supervision and work well with external suppliers
• Confident strategic thinker who can distill information in clear and concise messages that audiences can understand
• Expertise in writing communications and business correspondence
• Must be deadline focused, flexible with changing priorities and able to handle urgent requests.
• Proficiency in English

Practical and Technical Knowledge

• Proficient IT skills, particularly PowerPoint (Advanced), Outlook, Word, Excel
• Confidence using content-management, internal communications and design tools; experience of Canva or similar software would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• Degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

WHAT DO WE OFFER? 

Not only do we offer a competitive salary, we also offer a generous benefits package including:

• 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays) increasing with length of service plus additional day over Christmas period and the opportunity to buy/sell annual leave
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Enhanced pension scheme up to 15% total contribution
• Life assurance x4
• Commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of Mental Health through our Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter
• Private healthcare (BUPA), BUPA Dental Plan + Healthcare Cash plan, including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Local and global development opportunities across 160 countries within the CMA CGM Group, including opportunities at our iconic Head Office tower in Marseille
• Cycle to work scheme/ Season ticket loans
• Enhanced policies including Maternity & Paternity
• Employee recognition awards
• Hybrid working

CMA CGM Group is proud to define itself as a family business built on strong human values.

• Excellence
• Exemplarity
• Imagination
• Boldness

CMA CGM respects, supports and values diversity in all forms. We seek to avoid discrimination and are committed to equal opportunities for all our employees.

Our long-held inclusive policy improves performance, creates growth opportunities for all, aligns with our customer's values and enhances employee engagement.

YOUR CAREER - WHY CMA CGM?

At CMA CGM Group, we Rise in Motion. Your career is always on the move - it grows as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world.

The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise