Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications
Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications

Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global crisis communications and stakeholder engagement strategies for Schneider Electric.
  • Company: Join Schneider Electric, a leader in sustainability and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, 28 days leave, health support, and learning opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping public affairs and crisis response on a global scale.
  • Qualifications: 12-15 years in public affairs, strong communication skills, and crisis management experience required.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core to our culture; we value every voice.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

You will be Schneider Electric’s global lead for high-stakes communications and stakeholder engagement. This role sets the strategy and operational readiness for crisis response, issues management, reputation, and public affairs—anticipating and shaping external dynamics across markets, advancing policy and advocacy priorities, and protecting trust during moments of scrutiny.

As a senior advisor to corporate affairs leadership and enterprise stakeholders, the Director orchestrates rapid, disciplined crisis response; drives proactive risk identification; and leads public affairs strategies that engage policymakers, regulators, NGOs, industry bodies, and community partners. The role translates complexity into clear, actionable guidance and equips leaders to communicate credibly at scale.

Responsibilities
  • Own the global crisis communications strategy, readiness model, and escalation framework across geographies and business units.
  • Serve as a core member of the crisis management team, providing expert counsel and cross-functional orchestration during critical incidents.
  • Design and deliver executive simulations, table-top exercises, and training to strengthen decision-making under pressure.
  • Lead or support media relations in crises (statements, media inquiries, briefings, press conferences), ensuring accuracy, speed, empathy, and legal alignment.
  • Proactively identify emerging risks, conduct issue/risk assessments, and develop mitigation plans.
  • Conduct post-incident reviews and drive continuous improvement of playbooks, roles, and processes.
  • Resolve to create an integrated Public Affairs & Stakeholder Communications program that engages policymakers, regulators, NGOs, trade associations, and community leaders on priority issues (e.g., energy transition, sustainability, digital infrastructure, industrial competitiveness, workforce).
Public Affairs & Stakeholder Communications
  • Develop and execute public affairs strategies that engage policymakers, regulators, NGOs, trade associations, and community leaders on priority issues (e.g., energy transition, sustainability, digital infrastructure, industrial competitiveness, workforce).
  • Partner with Government Affairs teams globally to shape policy narratives, advocacy materials, executive positioning, and influence pathways; ensure consistency across markets.
  • Build stakeholder maps and coalitions; lead issue-based campaigns and thought leadership to advance Schneider Electric’s agenda and credibility.
  • Coordinate proactive outreach during moments of heightened legislative or regulatory scrutiny.
  • Strengthen relationships with third-party validators, academic institutions, and industry bodies to amplify impact.
Community & International Engagement
  • Support community and stakeholder engagement, fostering relationships with local organizations and leaders to enhance reputation and social impact.
  • Support engagements with international NGOs and intergovernmental organizations, ensuring strategic participation, messaging discipline, and measurable outcomes.
  • Elevate executive visibility and representation at global policy forums and multilateral platforms.
  • Monitor reputational drivers across media, policy, and stakeholder channels; surface emerging issues early with scenario-based recommendations.
  • Embed disciplined narrative development, stakeholder mapping, and risk guidance into major announcements and enterprise priorities.
  • Advise senior leaders on message strategy, engagement choices, and risk trade-offs in complex or sensitive situations.
  • Provide clear direction, prioritization, and development for direct reports.
  • Ensure strong coordination between crisis response and public affairs workstreams; elevate the function from reactive support to proactive risk leadership.
Skills & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Affairs/Policy, Journalism, Political Science, or related field; MBA preferred.
  • 12–15+ years of progressive experience in public affairs and corporate communications, with deep exposure to crisis communications and issues management in global/multinational contexts.
  • Proven success leading complex, multi-market crisis responses and public affairs campaigns in partnership with Legal, Government Affairs, HR, Security, Sustainability.
  • Demonstrated experience engaging policymakers, regulators, NGOs, and trade associations, strong understanding of public policy and stakeholder ecosystems in the U.S., U.K., and EU.
  • Excellence in message development, executive counsel, media relations, and spokesperson preparation.
  • Strong analytical skills and high judgment; adept at synthesizing complex information into clear, actionable guidance.
  • Outstanding writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills; resilient under pressure and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
  • Familiarity with crisis communication platforms, media monitoring tools, and analytics solutions.

At Schneider Electric, Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of our organisation, it’s an integral part of our history, culture, and identity. We recognise that embracing diversity unlocks innovation and creativity and fosters collaboration. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our communities and the customers we serve. As a result, our teams are stronger to drive the company’s future.

We are proudly participating in the Disability Confident Program offering support to people in the workplace who consider themselves living with a disability.

What we offer you
  • Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme
  • 28 Days Annual Leave + Public Holidays
  • Holiday Buy & Sell programme
  • Pension Scheme
  • Employee Share Ownership Programme
  • Various Health & Wellbeing Support Options
  • Gym Flex
  • Open Talent Market (internal mobility opportunities + access to mentors & projects globally)
  • Shopping & Dining Discounts
  • Learning Portal and much more.

Please submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. You know about us, so let us learn about you! Apply today.

Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications employer: Schneider Electric

At Schneider Electric, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions diversity and inclusion, fostering a collaborative work culture where innovation thrives. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our Open Talent Market, offering internal mobility opportunities and access to global mentorship programs, alongside competitive benefits such as a robust pension scheme and health support options. Join us in a dynamic environment where your expertise in public affairs and crisis communications will not only shape our corporate narrative but also contribute to meaningful societal impact.
S

Contact Detail:

Schneider Electric Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, especially those who work at Schneider Electric. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the unexpected! Brush up on crisis communication scenarios and think about how you'd handle them. This will show you're ready for anything that comes your way.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your expertise! During interviews, share specific examples of past experiences where you successfully managed crises or public affairs. This will help us see your skills in action.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications

Crisis Communications Strategy
Stakeholder Engagement
Issues Management
Public Affairs Strategy
Media Relations
Risk Assessment
Executive Communication
Analytical Skills
Message Development
Training and Simulation Design
Community Engagement
Policy Advocacy
Reputation Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Crisis Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in crisis communications and public affairs. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your past roles; share specific examples of successful campaigns or crisis responses you've led. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point.

Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to learn more about you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Schneider Electric

✨Know Your Crisis Communication Strategies

Before the interview, brush up on crisis communication strategies and frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you would approach high-stakes situations and what specific strategies you've successfully implemented in the past.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Familiarise yourself with Schneider Electric's key stakeholders and their interests. Prepare examples of how you've engaged with policymakers, NGOs, and community leaders in previous roles to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and influence outcomes.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Be prepared to discuss how you identify emerging risks and conduct issue assessments. Bring examples of how you've synthesised complex information into clear, actionable guidance, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Your Communication Prowess

Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since the role requires outstanding writing and verbal communication skills, consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your ability to communicate effectively under pressure.

Director, Public Affairs & Crisis Communications
Schneider Electric

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>