Director, Group Communications

Karla Otto is a renowned public relations and communications agency with offices across 14 locations in the UK, EMEA, US and Asia. Established in 1982 by Karla Otto herself, the agency has since grown to become a global leader in luxury brand PR and events. With offices in major fashion capitals such as Milan, London, New York, and Los Angeles, Karla Otto represents some of the most prestigious fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in the industry. In 2017, Karla Otto and K2 merged to form The Independents, a global group of agencies for industry leaders across luxury and lifestyle. Currently this group comprises of Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, Karla Otto, K2, The Qode, Lefty, Prodject and CTZA, Atelier LUM, INCA Productions and Atelier Athem. Our network of expert strategists, designers, planners and publicists work tirelessly to deliver exceptional results and establish long-term partnerships with our clients. We are passionate about the world of fashion, beauty, and luxury, with everyone bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. We are driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving industry landscape. About The Independents Created in 2017, The Independents is an entrepreneur-driven community of industry-leading experts, delivering global, connected solutions for luxury, fashion and lifestyle businesses to become culture brands. The Independents brings together a unique, future-fit ecosystem of services for ambitious businesses who seek to impact global culture around 3 key pillars: Experience : Atelier Athem, Atelier Lum, Bureau Betak, INCA, K2, Kennedy, Prodject Communication, Strategy & influence : Ctzar, Karla Otto, Lefty, The Qode Content : Bureau Future, Sunshine Providing clients with end-to-end solutions to become key culture brands, the group aligns a global perspective with on-the-ground, local insights. As such, the collective is powerfully positioned to offer streamlined strategy, creative services, talent partnerships, influencer marketing, communications and bespoke experiences for leading brands across key markets, by way of its presence in Milano, Paris, London, Munich, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. Since June 2023, The Independents Group is backed by Banijay, a FL Entertainment company, and Towerbrook Capital Partners. About The Position The Director, Group Communications will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our communication strategies to enhance The Independents’ brand visibility and influence across global markets. This individual will be responsible for crafting compelling narratives, managing media relations, and coordinating with our diverse agencies to ensure cohesive and impactful external communications. This role will sit within Karla Otto, and work on the portfolio of agencies within the Independents, with future scope to attain more corporate clients. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement an integrated external communications strategy that aligns with The Independents’ brand values and business objectives Provide guidance and support to executive leadership team, including crafting of press releases, speeches, thought leadership presentations, panels and events and other communication materials that effectively convey our key messages to external audiences. (in collaboration with our Group CEO’s Chief of Staff) Collaborate with partners across the group to develop strategic communications and thought leadership opportunities that support growth and new business acquisition for The Independents Work across select clients of The Independents, crafting global communications strategies, producing brand messaging & assets and media mapping across markets Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, industry opinion leaders influencers and other relevant stakeholders to enhance our brand presence and reputation Develop an in-depth understanding of each company within the Group and leverage knowledge of industry trends to build media stories that communicate the company’s vision and market position. Stay abreast of industry trends, competitive landscape, and media opportunities to continually elevate our communication efforts. Establish strong relationships with stakeholders throughout the Group. Coordinate closely with internal teams to ensure consistency and synergy in all external communications. Monitor and analyse media coverage to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and make data-driven adjustments as needed. Manage crisis communications and respond promptly to external communication challenges. Organise and oversee Group press events, media briefings, company summits, global Town Halls, leadership conferences and other public relations activities. Manage Internal and External communications for key projects and announcements, overseeing all touchpoints. Management of roll-out, from setting timelines to production of materials and distribution of messaging across both Internal and External platforms – including presentations, memos, FAQs, fact sheets, press materials, talking points, briefings and social content (e.g. Linkedin). Manage communications editorial calendar to ensure consistent coverage and that messaging is maximized during key company moments. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in external communications or public relations, preferably within the corporate sector or creative industries. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record of crafting compelling narratives and engaging content. High attention to detail. Strong media relations expertise and a robust network of media contacts. Excellent organisational and project management skills. Ability to prioritise, multitask and manage complex projects, multiple initiatives and competing priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Strategic thinker with a customer centric mindset and a flair for creativity and innovation. Ability to move easily from ideation to execution with a strong bias for action. Proficient in digital communication platforms and social media strategies. Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively in a diverse, global team environment. Ability to build relationship throughout the Group and align multiple teams and senior stakeholders. Demonstrated experience in crisis communications, including managing high-pressure situations and effectively conveying key messages to diverse stakeholders. If you are a proactive and creative communicator with a passion for internal communication and employee engagement, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our dynamic team and help shape our internal communication strategy.