📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Media Relations Manager
🔹 Company: Vontobel
🔹 Location: Zürich / Gotthardstrasse 35, Switzerland
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Financial Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing media relations strategies
- Handling media inquiries and ensuring accurate responses
- Shaping narratives, media releases, and key messages
- Cultivating relationships with journalists and securing coverage
- Overseeing PR agencies and proactively pitching stories
- Crafting compelling press materials and ensuring consistent messaging
- Planning and coordinating media events and training spokespersons
- Providing strategic counsel during crises
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and experience in financial services media relations.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute media relations strategies to enhance the company's reputation and media coverage
✅ Handle media inquiries and ensure accurate, timely, and consistent responses
✅ Shape and refine narratives, media releases, key messages, and Q&As for financial and non-financial communications
✅ Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and producers to secure coverage
✅ Oversee PR agencies and ensure they deliver high-quality services
✅ Proactively pitch stories and seek media opportunities to increase the company's visibility
✅ Craft compelling press materials to promote initiatives, investment products, and events
✅ Ensure consistent messaging across internal and external communications
✅ Plan and coordinate media events, including press conferences and interviews
✅ Prepare and train spokespersons for media engagements, including media interviews and presentations
✅ Provide strategic counsel to management during crises and media emergencies
ASSUMPTION: This role involves working closely with senior executives and investment professionals, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field
Experience: At least five years of media relations experience in financial services, investment management (in-house or agency)
Required Skills:
- Proven ability to secure media coverage and build strong journalist relationships in the DACH region
- Deep understanding of print, broadcast, online, and social media landscapes
- Expertise in crisis communications and media risk management
- Experience in managing financial results
- Exceptional writing skills in German (native) and English, with the ability to tailor content to different audiences and publications
Preferred Skills:
- Proficiency in French as a plus
- Experience working with senior executives and investment professionals
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in media relations and a solid understanding of the financial services industry.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CHF 120,000 - 160,000 per year (AI-estimated, based on industry standards for a senior role in Switzerland)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Pension plan
- Health insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible working hours
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for media events and crises)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior media relations role in Switzerland. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Financial Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (mid-sized to large)
Founded: 1924, with a rich history in investment management
Company Description:
- Vontobel is an international investment management firm with Swiss roots
- Provides investment, advisory, and solution capabilities to private and institutional clients
- Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with 28 locations worldwide
- Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and majority-owned by the founding family
Company Specialties:
- Wealth Management
- Asset Management
- Digital Investing
Company Website: https://www.vontobel.com
ASSUMPTION: Vontobel's size and global presence offer opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse markets, while its Swiss roots provide a strong foundation in financial services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role with significant responsibilities and strategic decision-making
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Communications or a similar senior role
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for remote work during crises or media events
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a leadership role within the communications department
- Opportunities to work on high-profile projects and initiatives
- Chance to gain experience in a global financial services firm and expand industry knowledge
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the company and the broader financial services industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, professional office environment in central Zurich
Office Location(s): Gotthardstrasse 35, 8022 Zurich, Switzerland
Geographic Context:
- Zurich is a major financial hub with a high concentration of financial services firms
- The city offers a high quality of life, with a vibrant cultural scene and easy access to nature
- Switzerland has a stable political environment and a strong economy
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with flexibility for media events and crises
ASSUMPTION: The location in Zurich provides access to a dynamic financial services industry and a high quality of life, while the work environment offers a professional and collaborative setting.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the HR department
- On-site interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills and media relations experience
- Understanding of financial services and investment management
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant media relations experience and skills
- Demonstrate your understanding of the financial services industry and Vontobel's business
- Prepare examples of your media relations work and successful campaigns
- Follow up with the HR department after submitting your application
ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Strategic Counsel, Narrative Shaping, Press Materials Crafting, Relationship Building, Message Delivery, Financial Communications, Media Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Event Coordination, Story Pitching
ASSUMPTION: The application process may vary based on the specific needs of the hiring team and the current volume of applications.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Media monitoring and analysis tools (e.g., Meltwater, Agility PR Solutions)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary based on the department's preferences and the company's overall technology stack.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Client-centricity
- Empowerment
- Responsibility
- Quality
- Integrity
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and proactive
- Adaptable and resilient, especially during crises
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines?
- Are you comfortable working with senior executives and managing multiple stakeholders?
- Do you have a proven track record of securing media coverage and building strong journalist relationships?
ASSUMPTION: Vontobel values employees who are client-focused, empowered, responsible, committed to quality, and act with integrity in all their actions.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing media inquiries and crises during non-business hours
- Balancing multiple projects and priorities with tight deadlines
- Adapting to changes in the media landscape and company priorities
- Working with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives and investment professionals
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior media relations roles, this position offers a broader range of responsibilities, including crisis communications and strategic counsel
- Vontobel's global presence provides opportunities for international media relations experience
- Career progression may involve moving into a leadership role within the communications department or transitioning to a similar role in another department
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic decision-making, hands-on media relations work, and the opportunity to work in a global financial services firm.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing media relations for a major investment product launch
- Crafting key messages and Q&As for a high-profile earnings call
- Securing media coverage for a thought leadership campaign
- Planning and executing a media event for a company milestone
- Providing strategic counsel during a corporate crisis
ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and the strategic nature of the role, as well as the opportunity to work on high-profile initiatives.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications strategy for the company?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the media relations team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company support the professional development of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to crisis communications, and how has it evolved over time?
- How does the media relations team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing and investor relations?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role and the company, as well as your understanding of the strategic nature of the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant media relations experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your media relations work and successful campaigns
- Follow up with the HR department after submitting your application
- If invited to interview, be prepared to discuss your relevant experience and how you can contribute to Vontobel's media relations strategy
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
