Head of PR and Communications

Lead and execute the strategic direction of PR, corporate communications, and brand reputation management for BHSB and its portfolio of companies & brands. Drive high-impact communication strategies that strengthen corporate image, build stakeholder trust, and support business objectives — including fundraising, regulatory engagement, and brand growth.

Job Responsibilities: 

Strategic Communications & Brand Positioning

• Develop and implement a long-term corporate and strategic communication plan for BHSB and its portfolio, aligned with business goals.
• Drive initiatives to increase brand and service awareness, including supporting fundraising activities, corporate announcements, and major milestones.
• Ensure consistent messaging and positioning across all platforms, materials, and brands, acting as the guardian of BHSB’s corporate narrative.

Media & Public Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with online/offline publications, journalists, market research firms, industry analysts, and investment communication leads.
• Coordinate and develop press releases, media kits, and events that reflect BHSB’s positioning.
• Manage interviews, statements, and thought leadership opportunities for senior management, ensuring maximum positive exposure.
• Oversee overall PR strategy, including online reputation management

Crisis & Issues Management

• Lead crisis communication planning, response, and recovery, safeguarding the company’s and brands’ reputations.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication playbooks and conduct simulation drills with leadership.
• Act as the primary escalation point for high-profile issues, ensuring timely and coordinated responses.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Serve as the communications bridge between BHSB, its brands, and key stakeholders, including customers, media, government, regulators, and industry authorities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the PR & Corporate Communications team, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Coaching the brands spokesperson in handling stakeholders mainly media (ensuring they are media trained for media engagement.)

Corporate Social Responsibility, ESG & Sponsorships

• Lead CSR initiatives and manage ESG guidelines and policies to ensure alignment with BHSB’s values.
• Evaluate sponsorships and brand collaboration opportunities against BAMS (Branding, Advertising, Marketing, Sponsorship) guidelines and policy. Be the owner for BAMS and work closely with GDS committee to ensure we are compliant.

Measurement, Insights & Reporting

• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks to measure PR and communications effectiveness, including media reach, share of voice, sentiment analysis, and brand reputation scores.
• Conduct regular communications audits and competitor benchmarking to refine strategies.

Budget & Resource Management

• Plan and manage the department’s budget, resources, and workflows to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Oversee procurement and approval processes for PR-related expenses in compliance with company policy.

KRA:

• Number of top tiered publications in large investment/tech/financial services websites and leading business publications
• Number of senior management interviews/profiling by media
• Executed strategic comms plan, planned annually measured Quarterly for efficiency
• Effective crisis management: lead the crisis comm
• Consistently positive exposure for BHSB brands
• Brand health (BHT)

Experience: 

• At least 10 years of experience working PR or Comms, with at least 3 years in leadership role. Strong leadership, interpersonal, and exceptional written/verbal communications skills in English.
• Proven track record in media relations in the country and around the region (good to have)
• Experienced in highly regulated industries is an advantage
• Constant awareness of business, regulatory, crisis management and stratregic stakeholder engagement, ie: government developments with matters pertaining to portfolios businesses, regulatory/compliance.
• Experience / understanding of the Tech / internet and startup ecosystem
• Familiarity and working knowledge of media monitoring platforms
• Able to manage deal with senior management, shareholders and media to coordinate appropriate response to queries, drive events, marketing/creative teams and agency partners
• Ability to cooperate and engage with a wide variety of resources, including upper management and stakeholders, clients, and other departments across Axiata Group Opcos
• Management experience to deal with to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through people, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.