Communications Manager, CFG China

JOB TITLE: Communications Manager, City Football Group China

DEPARTMENT: Communications

LOCATION: Chengdu or Shanghai

JOB DESCRIPTION DATE: 3 July 2020

Job Purpose

To manage City Football Group’s communications activities in China. To act as the lead media relations executive in market working closely with the CEO and global communications team to build relationships, craft, develop and execute communications plans and uphold and sustain the reputation and perception of City Football Group and its related entities in China.

Areas of particular focus will include media relations, long-term planning and acting as the Group’s key communications contact in China. It will also include working closely both on Manchester City’s growth and expansion in China and on developing close ties with Sichuan Jiuniu FC, CFG’s Chinese club.

Key Responsibilities

• To develop short, medium and long-term communications plans for China in line with Club strategy touching on all elements of the Group’s presence in market.

• To build strong relationships with key Chinese media to handle proactive and reactive opportunities to amplify the Group’s voice.

• To vet speaking and event opportunities and manage all public speaking and media commitments in China.

• To oversee the communications activity of Sichuan Jiuniu FC to ensure compliance with Group strategy.

• To provide regular updates to a broader CFG team on the media landscape in China and key areas of interest for CFG’s business.

• In consultation with the Director of Corporate and Commercial Communications, to conduct crisis management, intercept issues, assess their impact and respond by recommending appropriate actions on non-football matters including preparing talking points for relevant spokespeople

• Working with CFG’s consultants and agencies where appropriate to contribute to planning work.

• To assist in the development, management and implementation of communications campaigns and high profile events, which amplify the Group’s marketing activities in China.

• To act as a brand ambassador to ensure our identity and values are properly represented as we communicate with our fans and a broad range of other audiences

• To provide support and advice where appropriate to relevant departments at CFG with regards to the most suitable delivery mechanisms or solutions for the design and implementation of communication activities

• To provide support in communicating our activities in China within the business and working closely with our internal communications manager to help engage the wider business in City Football China

Key Relationships

• • CEO of City Football China and wider City Football China team
  • Global marketing team
  • Sichuan Jiuniu FC
  • All colleagues within the Communications team, both in the UK and in all of our international bases
  • Colleagues across CFG, with particular focus on Supporter Services, Infrastructure, CSR, City Football Foundation, Fan Relationship Management, Digital, Content and Marketing
  • Retained PR agencies which report to the Group Communications team

Scope of Job

The role sits within a broader Communications department, comprising a Chief Communications Officer overseeing Media Relations, Corporate and Commercial Communications and Protocol. There will be some budget responsibility

Knowledge

Essential:

Desirable:

• Experience of communications, media relations or journalism role. Sound understanding of development of football in China, its audience and the Chinese media landscape.

• Experience of working in a communications role in sport or in a large corporate or commercial organisation

Technical/Work-Based Skills

Essential:

• Fluent Mandarin and English
• Outstanding written and presentational skills, strong grasp of media relations and experience to support that. Able to lead projects

Desirable:

• Project management qualification

General Skills and Attributes

Essential:

• The ideal candidate will be flexible and patient but with strong negotiation skills and powers of persuasion. Must be a team player who can work well across different teams. Willing either to take the initiative or form a critical part of a larger team.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience in a communications role which can translate into the requirements of this role

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree level or equivalent