Senior Manager, Business Communications (6-months fixed-term)

Due to an internal secondment, we’re on the hunt for a Senior Manager, Business Communications (6 months fixed term), to create communication strategies that support key business objectives and strategic projects across areas such as CX, Revenue, GTM, Partnerships and Ecosystem. You will deliver key projects from start to finish that proactively tell our story to customers, partners, media, and other stakeholders. This role reports into the Director, Customer & Partner Communications (Business Communications).As part of the Global Communications team, you will work with global and regional stakeholders to identify core media and communication opportunities that will lift the profile of the Xero brand. This role also supports partner and customer events, such as Xerocon, with content. Your involvement may include supporting presentations, writing blogs, drafting media releases, working on an activation or campaign.You’re highly creative and can effectively digest and communicate technical information in a simple and human way. You’re an excellent writer who can create a range of global communication materials supporting go-to-market campaigns, including press releases, blogs, FAQs and video scripts.You will work hand in hand with internal stakeholders to discover hidden story gems in the way our people and our products are making a difference in our customers’ lives. Another key focus will be surfacing topics for thought leadership and supporting a regular rhythm of content for pitching to global audiences. You’ll stay up to date with what’s new in Xero to identify PR opportunities and connect with customers about our innovations in a way that amplifies outreach and narratives.You will be adept at managing the communications on customer change projects, working with internal stakeholders to provide strategic advice as well as develop key messages and reactive and proactive communications.To be successful, you’ll need to be able to enjoy working at a fast pace, be able to juggle multiple priorities and work to deadlines. You’re seasoned at stakeholder management, confident juggling multiple stakeholders and projects and providing communications advice. You’ll have no problem jumping between reactive and proactive communications. Your role: Lead communications plans for initiatives that support our business strategy and grow our brandEffectively communicate strategic projects to ensure customers are informed in a timely manner, and making changes seamless and easy to understandFor specific projects, develop messaging frameworks and global communication campaign assets including media releases, blogs, FAQsAnnounce new partners - prepare media releases / review partner media releases, liaise with their teams to manage messages, sign-offs and media outreach.Identify ways to nurture existing strategic partnerships through joint communications effortsDigest technical information to create easy to digest proactive and reactive communication assets for relevant audiencesCreate content for strategic customer events (such as Xerocon) that tell our story whether through managing a campaign launch, supporting presentations, media releases, blogs, Q&As and executive supportWork alongside the Business Communications team and global PR agency to identify opportunities to build our customer storyDevelop topics and content for thought leadership across key portfoliosEffectively work with global stakeholders to deliver key strategic projects to deadlines and across time zonesStrategically advise key senior leaders and stakeholders to protect our brand and mitigate risks What you’ll need to succeed (critical competencies) Ability to deliver projects to deadline and to a high-qualityWork at a fast pace, ability to manage competing priorities and respond to needs and issues as they developStakeholder management — keeping everyone informed on status, progress & risks of projects in a timely mannerProven ability to deliver effective, measurable communication strategies & campaignsProven ability to digest technical information and create easy to read communicationsExcellent critical thinking skillsDetail oriented, organizedStrong ability to build and foster relationshipsAn ability to cope with change in a fast paced dynamic environment experiencing growth and expansion What you’ll need to succeed (experience) Experienced communications and public relations professional8+ years of relevant comms and/ or PR experienceA communication background in technology, and/or SaaS software will be viewed favorably as well as an understanding and experience of the small business and/or accounting industryStrong performance in creating strategic communications for different audiencesBA/BS in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations preferred

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