📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: External Communications Manager
🔹 Company: Legal & General
🔹 Location: London, London, City of, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Protecting and promoting the firm's profile and reputation through strategic communications and media engagement.
- Managing risks and fostering journalist relationships to maintain a strong brand image.
- Collaborating with various stakeholders to create engaging content and campaigns.
- Supporting business lines and corporate communications in line with the company strategy.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry. Experience in a communications consultancy or media relations role within financial services is preferred.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide strong external communications skills to protect and promote the firm's profile and reputation, demonstrating strategic communications, media engagement, and execution of the corporate affairs plan.
✅ Work proactively with stakeholders across the Group to identify opportunities and create engaging content for dissemination.
✅ Manage the promotion of the products and business priorities to highlight the business's proposition and external profile, image, and reputation.
✅ Support pensions and investment external communications, showcasing expertise, insight, and commentary from trained asset management spokespeople.
✅ Ensure adherence to timely communications processes, aligning decisions with business ethics, values, and stakeholder requirements.
✅ Collaborate with the wider Corporate Affairs community and the marketing team to deliver on campaigns and the corporate affairs plan in line with the business strategy.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing risks, fostering journalist relationships, and collaborating with various stakeholders to create engaging content. It requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or in a team.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in external and employee communication, campaigns, PR approaches, and media relations practices and tactics.
Required Skills:
- Knowledge of UK pensions landscape, financial adviser, and investment industry.
- Experience in developing and executing PR strategies and campaigns for high-profile organizations in UK markets.
- Strong relationships with key media contacts in the UK (and ideally further afield).
- Global mindset and exposure to other geographic markets.
- Team player with a strong work ethic, taking a collaborative and joined-up approach to tasks.
- Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize effectively, multi-task quickly and efficiently, adapt to new situations in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in a communications consultancy or media relations role within financial services, a global asset management company, or an agency serving this sector.
- Knowledge of real estate (specialist commercial and residential), private credit, venture capital, and infrastructure sectors.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong understanding of the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry. Experience in a communications consultancy or media relations role within financial services is preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £55,000 - £70,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for a role of this level and location)
Benefits:
- Annual Performance-Related Bonus Plan
- Valuable Share Schemes
- Generous Pension Contribution
- Life Assurance
- Healthcare Plan
- At Least 25 Days Holiday
- Competitive Family Leave
- Electric Car Scheme
- Discounts
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for hybrid working arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for a role of this level and location. Actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services, with a focus on asset management, pensions, and insurance.
Company Size: 10,000+ employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: 1836, with a long history and established reputation in the financial services industry.
Company Description:
- Legal & General is a leading UK financial services group and major global investor, with a purpose to generate positive returns today while helping to build a better future for all.
- The company operates through three divisions: Asset Management, Institutional Retirement, and Retail, enabling it to carefully invest capital over the long term in a responsible way that delivers returns to shareholders while doing good.
- Legal & General is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive culture with opportunities for collaboration and development.
Company Specialties:
- Financial Services
- Investment
- Pensions
- Personal Finance
- Insurance
- Retirement
- Life Insurance
- Surveying
- Lifetime Mortgages
- Annuities
- Saving
- Equity Release
Company Website: https://group.legalandgeneral.com/en
ASSUMPTION: Legal & General is a well-established financial services group with a strong reputation in the market. Its size and diversity provide opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with the opportunity to grow and take on more responsibilities over time.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Corporate Affairs and works closely with various stakeholders across the Group.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a combination of remote and on-site work, providing flexibility and a balance between independent work and collaboration.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role within the Corporate Affairs function or other departments within the company.
- Expanding skills and expertise through working on diverse projects and campaigns.
- Developing leadership and management skills through mentoring and coaching opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the company, as well as the chance to expand skills and expertise through working on diverse projects and campaigns.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace designed with employee wellbeing in mind.
Office Location(s): 1 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AA, United Kingdom
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global financial hub, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional development.
- The office is located in the City of London, close to public transportation and amenities.
- The area offers a mix of historic and modern architecture, with a vibrant cultural scene and diverse communities.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for hybrid working arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The office location provides a convenient and engaging work environment, with easy access to public transportation and a wide range of amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and a member of the Corporate Affairs team
- Final interview with the Head of Corporate Affairs
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and media engagement experience
- Understanding of the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry
- Strategic thinking and campaign development abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Legal & General's values and purpose
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry in your application materials.
- Prepare examples of successful media engagement and campaign development projects from your past experiences.
- Research Legal & General's purpose, values, and recent news to show your enthusiasm and alignment with the company.
ATS Keywords: External Communications, Media Engagement, Strategic Communications, PR Approaches, Media Relations, Pensions Knowledge, Financial Adviser Industry, Campaign Development, Relationship Management, Organisational Skills, Detail-Oriented, Collaborative Approach, Adaptability, Research Skills, Content Creation, Crisis Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process focuses on assessing the candidate's communication skills, media engagement experience, understanding of the industry, strategic thinking, and cultural fit with Legal & General's values and purpose.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Mention, Brand24)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with media monitoring, project management, and content management tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Responsible Investment: Acting responsibly to deliver long-term, sustainable returns for customers and shareholders.
- Customer First: Putting customers at the heart of everything we do, understanding their needs, and delivering excellent service.
- One Team: Working collaboratively, respecting each other, and embracing diversity to achieve our shared goals.
Work Style:
- Agile and adaptable, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strategic thinker, with the ability to develop and execute effective communication strategies and campaigns.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your values align with Legal & General's purpose and values?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a complex media engagement or crisis communication situation?
- How do you approach working collaboratively with various stakeholders to create engaging content and campaigns?
ASSUMPTION: Legal & General values a strong cultural fit, with employees who align with the company's purpose and values, and who can work collaboratively and effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Navigating the complex UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key media contacts and stakeholders.
- Adapting to changes in the media landscape and regulatory context.
ASSUMPTION: This role presents challenges related to managing multiple priorities, navigating a complex industry, building and maintaining relationships, and adapting to changes in the media landscape and regulatory context.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other external communications roles, this position offers a unique focus on the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry, as well as the opportunity to work with a major global investor.
- Legal & General's size and global presence provide opportunities for career growth and development not available in smaller organizations.
- This role offers a blend of strategic communications, media engagement, and campaign development responsibilities, making it an attractive option for candidates with diverse skills and interests.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique focus on the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry, as well as opportunities for career growth and development within a large and established organization.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a media relations campaign to launch a new pension product, securing coverage in key national and trade publications.
- Managing a crisis communication situation related to a pensions industry regulatory change, ensuring accurate and timely information is provided to stakeholders.
- Creating and implementing a thought leadership strategy for the company's asset management division, positioning spokespeople as experts in their respective fields.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the External Communications Manager, demonstrating the strategic and tactical nature of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Corporate Affairs function?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- Can you provide an example of a successful external communications campaign executed by the company, and what made it successful?
- How does Legal & General approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help candidates better understand the team structure, company culture, and priorities for the role, enabling them to make an informed decision about their fit with the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role, with a focus on the UK pensions landscape and financial adviser industry.
- Prepare examples of successful media engagement and campaign development projects from your past experiences.
- Research Legal & General's purpose, values, and recent news to show your enthusiasm and alignment with the company.
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
