Head of Communications

The role holder is responsible for all communications for HSBC Bank USA. This includes leadership, employee communications and culture change communications, as well as oversight of integrated communications and media relations.

The role holder supports the CEO of the US Bank, as well as the wider Executive Committee, in delivering the communications plan. The role functionally reports to the Global Head of Communications for Corporate and Institutional Banking whilst entity management reporting is to the CEO of the US Bank.

The focus of the role is to drive a strategic communications strategy that mobilises and engages the entire employee population of the HSBC Bank USA, overseeing leadership communications, implementing effective integrated internal communications strategies, supporting transformation communications and mobilising culture change. It also has responsibility for positioning the US business within the wider global network through effective integrated communications strategies. It also has responsibility for managing the reputation of the business, supporting effective communications with key stakeholder groups in the market and across the HSBC Group. This includes overseeing business-aligned integrated communications strategies, issues management and reputational risk, and the ability to navigate geopolitical sensitivites for an industry leader defined by its unique footprint spanning Asia, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

The role holder will work seamlessly with the regional and global Communications teams, as well as with colleagues from Brand, Marketing, Public Affairs and Corporate Sustainability to execute the firm’s strategy in the USA.

Principal Accountabilities:

Execute a cohesive employee communications and insight strategy for the US business, in support of country business objectives with a priority of growth
Support integrated leadership communications and drive insight-based strategy and culture change communications programmes with a strong focus on the HSBC Bank USA employee population
Develop narratives and and position HSBC Bank USA as a crucial connector within HSBC’s global network including raising its profile in other regions, supporting inbound and outbound commercial flows
Actively engage with functional and business peers to safeguard the reputation of HSBC in the US, including in-depth understanding and risk escalation of business and customer trends that could impact the businesses’ reputation and performance
Oversee a focused integrated communications strategy for HSBC in the US supporting commercial outcomes across both businesses
Guide and steer Communications activity in the US
Maintain knowledge of stakeholder requirements, competitor activities and market trends to influence the future communications direction of the US team
Lead an integrated communications strategy for US leadership engagement including development of messaging, briefing documents, and positioning pieces as relevant
Provide key internal stakeholders, including HSBC US’s CEO and Management Team, with informed counsel on all communications matters
Oversee a team that maintains relationships with core media and key external stakeholders in the US in partnership with global CIB media relations and corporate media relations teams
Deliver fair outcomes for our customers and ensure own conduct maintains the orderly and transparent operation of financial markets
Maintain connectivity and dialogue with other regional communications teams, including Latin America
Ensure colleagues in the direct team, create a sense of followership across the broader function
Develop and communicate a powerful and compelling purpose of the US business and the role of communications in influencing our key audiences
Close collaboration with Head of Media Relations, CIB and IWPB, for oversight of proactive and reactive media relations in the US
Lead, develop and motivate the team to attract and retain talent to provide for succession and ensure delivery of objectives

Key attributes:

An innovator – a strong desire to drive change, introduce new ideas and to take thoughtful risks
Strategic mindset and an inspirational people leader
Executive presence with C-suite executives – confident and effective interaction with senior business leaders
Strong strategic abilities – use a diverse set of insights to develop a broad perspective and lay out a vision of what the bank/team can achieve
An internationalist. Understand the East/West and North/South role played by the US business. Ability to take a ‘beyond-just-our-market’, international perspective on issues, opportunities and solutions
A ‘can do’ mindset – a sleeves-rolled-up approach to getting things moving and making progress
The ability to deliver high-quality products and exceptional services that provide value and exceed client expectations
Strong integrity, and a demonstrable commitment to ethics
A champion for inclusion – creates an environment in which all people feel like they belong
A focused approach to maintaining HSBC’s brand and reputation
Comfortable dealing with ambiguity
A strong client-service orientation
An inspirational team leader with high EQ and excellent interpersonal skills. A strong ability to motivate others – instill confidence and coach people to find meaning in their work to help achieve exceptional results
Superb influencing skills and ability to manage multiple senior stakeholders – including the ability to persuade others to act