Senior External Communications Manager – Investments
London (Hybrid working)
Nest Invest is on an ambitious journey to become one of the world’s largest asset owners. With c.£60 billion AUM today, we’re on track to more than double that figure by the end of the decade. This rapid growth brings exciting opportunities and increasing operational complexity.
As our portfolio expands, we shall internally manage more of the investment decision making and process, whilst concurrently engaging with a broader range of external partners. As result, operational excellence becomes more critical than ever. We’re building a capability and culture that embraces innovation, leverages technology, and harnesses the power of data to deliver exceptional outcomes for our members.
The Role
Reporting into the Head of External Media for the Corporation, The Senior External Communications Manager – Investments will be responsible for developing and delivering the frontline Media strategy for Nest Invest, with a specialist focus on Media activity related to Investments.
The Senior External Communications Manager will help shape and enhance Nest Invest’s Media engagement and lead on the day-to-day creation and delivery of content, reactive media enquiries and reputation management, focussing on robust investment messaging and maximising opportunities for company promotion.
The way Nest is presented in the media is critically important, as a scheme which is on course to be the UK’s largest pension scheme and already the largest by membership – what we do and how we invest will only become more newsworthy. The close association Nest has with government, and the successful delivery of the auto enrolment policy requires careful strategic consideration in how the media reports its activities. This role will involve partnering with and advising senior Nest Invest stakeholders on media engagement and handling as well as building a network of journalist contacts, from national finance editors to core trade press.
The Person
This is an incredibly exciting time in Nest Invest’s future growth agenda and the successful Senior External Communications Manager for Investments will play a key role in ensuring the organisation is successful in achieving their long term strategic ambitions. We are looking for:
* An established Media or External Communications professional with proven experience of operating within a regulated Investment Management environment.
* Experience of working within the Asset Management or Asset Owner landscape would be extremely beneficial, or at minimum, a genuine desire to transition into this environment from Investment Banking, Wealth or Retail Investment.
* A good understanding of investment themes and experience in media and press engagement, familiarity engaging and building rapport with investment journalists.
* Experience of developing and implementing media strategies with proven impact.
* Experience of successfully handling a range of media issues, including crisis or reputation damage-limitation situations.
* Extremely strong writing skills, particularly an ability to translate complex investment concepts (could be related to investment performance, investment market outlooks or partnering with a new investment manager etc) to an audience with limited investment acumen.
* Capable of juggling multiple projects and delivering to tight deadlines.
* Excellent planning and project management skills, with a focus on milestones, deadlines and delivery.
* Very well organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to be both strategic (what is the appropriate media strategy for this announcement and how do we deliver it?) but also hands on, as the successful candidate will be writing copy and engaged in a range of end to end activities across the investment business.
Organisational Overview
Nest is an award-winning workplace pension scheme, the largest in the country.
Set up by the government to give every worker in the UK somewhere to save, our first-class responsible investment practice and governance are the backbone of what we do, supported by all the functions you’d expect to find in a thriving business. We’re committed to creating a workplace where you can be your authentic self and offer an inclusive and flexible working environment.
To apply or for an informal discussion, please contact Braidie Cole:
Directorate/Department Overview
The Investment directorate (Nest Invest) is responsible for investing members’ contributions in order to grow their retirement pots over the long-term. The responsibilities of the team include:
* Asset allocation and portfolio risk management
* Manager selection and monitoring
* Responsible investment
* Investment communications
* Fund administration
* Investment technology and financial modelling
* Contributing to the development of the investment proposition
From December 2019, the Nest Investment team was seconded into Nest Invest Ltd (Nest Invest), the investment subsidiary of Nest Corporation.
Nest Invest is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). For the role holder, this means working in a regulated entity, and being required to adhere to certain rules and behaviours included in the FCA’s Code of Conduct (COCON), specifically the individual Conduct Rules defined by the FCA.
Flexible and agile working
Everyone's personal situation is different. To make the most out of hybrid working, we've introduced different ways of working, which include (subject to role requirements):
* hybrid of office (Canary Wharf, London) and home working (there will be an expectation to attend the office, once - twice a week, as required)
* reduce or vary working hours
* reduce or vary the days worked
* work compressed hours
* job share
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles and we particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disabled candidates.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of their age, belief, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy or caring responsibilities, socio economic background, sex, sexual orientation, religion or race or any other legally protected status.
We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
As a Level 2 Disability Confident organisation, we’re part of the guaranteed interview scheme. This means should you meet the minimum criteria for this role, you will automatically be put forward for an interview.
Please note that this advert may close early if we receive a sufficient number of satisfactory applications.