Corporate Communications Manager

Job Title: Manager – Corporate Communications

Location: Mumbai (with collaboration across India)

Department: Corporate Communications

Reporting To: Vertical Lead for Corporate Communications, Publicis Groupe India

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe is a global leader in marketing, communication, and digital transformation, operating across creativity, media, data, technology, commerce, health, and digital business transformation. In India, the Groupe brings together 10+ agencies and multiple specialist practices under the ‘Power of One’ model, enabling integrated, future-ready solutions for clients.

Corporate Communications plays a critical role in shaping the Groupe’s reputation, positioning its leadership, amplifying its business momentum, and ensuring consistent storytelling across a complex, multi-agency ecosystem.

Role Summary

We are looking for a high-performing communications professional at the Manager level (7–9 years’ experience) to lead and execute corporate communications initiatives for Publicis Groupe in India.

This role is hands-on and execution-driven, with clear ownership and accountability, alongside meaningful strategic exposure. The incumbent will work closely with the vertical lead for Corporate Communications to drive media relations, thought leadership, leadership positioning, content development, internal stakeholder coordination, and reputation management across the Groupe and its agencies.

The ideal candidate combines strong media and editorial skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, agencies, and priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Communications & Media Relations

• Independently drive and execute corporate communications strategies aligned with business priorities and leadership narratives, in close partnership with the vertical lead and Head of Corporate Communications.
• Drive proactive and reactive media relations across business, marketing, advertising, technology, data and talent-focused media.
• Build, own, and deepen strong working relationships with journalists, editors, and digital platforms, with the ability to pitch independently.
• Lead day-to-day engagement with external agencies and internal teams including planning, briefing, feedback, and performance management to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Track media coverage, prepare reports, and derive insights to refine communication efforts.

Leadership Positioning & Thought Leadership

• Drive leadership positioning initiatives, including authored articles, interviews, speaker opportunities, and industry visibility, with minimal supervision.
• Develop briefing documents, key messages, Q&As, and talking points for senior leaders with a strong understanding of business context.
• Identify relevant industry forums, awards, and platforms to enhance leadership and organizational visibility.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Own the drafting and editing of press releases, media pitches, bylined articles, leadership content, internal notes, and presentations.
• Translate complex business developments (wins, launches, alliances, financial or organizational updates) into clear, compelling stories.
• Ensure consistency of tone, messaging, and brand voice across all external communications.

Internal & Cross-Agency Collaboration

• Partner confidently with agency leadership teams, HR, marketing and specialist practices to identify and drive communication opportunities.
• Coordinate announcements related to new business wins, leadership appointments, agency milestones, culture, and employer branding.
• Act as a key communications partner across the Groupe’s multi-agency structure, balancing diverse priorities.

Digital & Social Media Support

• Support digital-first communication initiatives, particularly LinkedIn and executive social presence.
• Assist in planning and executing content calendars aligned with corporate milestones and industry moments.
• Monitor online conversations and flag potential reputation risks or opportunities.

Reputation & Crisis Support

• Play a key role in monitoring reputational issues and supporting crisis communication preparedness and execution, including first-level response coordination.
• Ensure accuracy, sensitivity and compliance in all corporate messaging.

Experience & Qualifications

• 7–9 years of experience in corporate communications, public relations, journalism, or integrated communications roles.
• Prior experience within an advertising or communications conglomerate (e.g., large agency networks or media groups) or within the Indian media & entertainment ecosystem at a sizeable, fast-paced organization is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively within complex, matrixed organizations and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong editorial and writing skills; ability to independently draft high-quality content with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Proven experience managing PR agencies and senior media relationships with accountability and rigor.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.

Professional Attributes & Ways of Working

• Possesses a high degree of integrity, discretion and respect for confidentiality; operates with honesty and ethical judgment at all times.
• Demonstrates managerial maturity, reliability, and sound decision-making, even in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team player.
• Comfortable thriving in fast-paced, unstructured, and deadline-driven environments with multiple parallel priorities.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders across levels and functions.
• Proactive, accountable, and solutions-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership for outcomes.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong media understanding and news judgment
• Stakeholder management across senior leadership and multiple teams
• High attention to detail with the ability to multitask
• Sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
• Proactive, self-driven, and comfortable in fast-paced environments
• Collaborative mindset with the confidence to work independently

What This Role Offers

• Exposure to leadership-level communications in one of the world’s largest communications groups
• Opportunity to work across diverse agencies, disciplines, and business verticals
• A front-row seat to industry-shaping work in creativity, media, data, technology, and transformation
• A role that balances execution excellence with growing strategic influence

Publicis Groupe is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace.