Spokesperson & Media Relations Manager in Brussel

Team: Media Relations & Stakeholder Management, ING in Belgium

Does the idea of providing strategic communication advice on the most diverse and complex issues energise you? Are you a born networker with a keen social and environmental radar and a sixth sense for what makes people tick? Are you excited by the world of banking and finance? Do you make a point of staying up to the minute on the latest political and financial developments in Belgium? Is generating attention for key topics, both internally and externally, second nature to you? If so, then it sounds like you’re exactly the experienced, hands-on, assertive and stress-resistant senior spokesperson we’re looking for!

Your key activities and responsibilities

Spokespersonship and advice

• Play an active role in enhancing and maintaining ING’s reputation in Belgium
• Advise senior management and other professionals within the organisation on reputation, complex issues, crisis communication and strategic PR
• Support and advise senior management and other professionals within the organisation with interviews and other media-related issues (proactive and reactive)
• Act as spokesperson for ING and/or its business units towards Belgian journalists and other stakeholders
• Create and pitch newsworthy stories in the media
• Initiate, create and coordinate press releases and other related materials
• Prepare presentations and Q & A documents for the media
• Organise public meetings for senior management and other key specialists within ING
• Coordinate and prepare general and specific media training programmes

Streamlining media contacts

• Pro-actively and reactively maintain a network of contacts with media and other stakeholders
• Organise press conferences, press briefings, and other meetings
• Negotiate with journalists on conditions for interviews and with photo and film crews about recordings in company buildings

(PR) Organisation

• Identify and act on trends, risks and opportunities to enhance and/or protect ING’s reputation
• Monitor and evaluate PR initiatives and analyse results
• Write internal briefings and draft press analyses, bulletins, statements and scripts
• Participate in various squads as a Media Relations representative in consultation with colleagues from other (communication) disciplines.
• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate communication plans as a member of various teams
• Participate in external working groups and consult with other companies and organisations on collaborative campaigns and common issues

Your profile and characteristics

• Experienced in the field with min. 5years as a spokesperson or communication manager in a corporate or international environment
• Trusted as an advisor, familiar with discussing sensitive information and issues with executives, senior managers and other professionals
• Familiar with the inner workings of major businesses and media companies and at ease working with senior managers and specialists within a dynamic corporate culture
• An excellent and tactical communicator internally (up and down) and a genuine team player
• Able to work independently and under pressure when necessary
• Well versed in media relations, both practically and strategically
• Naturally adept at developing and maintaining a network of media contacts and other relevant stakeholders
• At home working with wide variety of media and according to in a multi-channel approach, including social and online media, radio and television
• Pro-active, driven, intellectually curious, creative and with a nose for media opportunities
• Able to combine speed and accuracy under pressure, prioritising activities with a calm disposition
• With a very good knowledge of spoken and written Dutch, French and English.

Media Relations & Stakeholder Management ING in Belgium

As a senior member of the team, you’ll join our efforts to make a positive impact on ING's reputation by ensuring media and other external stakeholders feel connected to ING and know, understand and support its vision, strategy and actions. You will report to Safia Yachou, head of Media Relations & Stakeholder Management for ING in Belgium. As part of the cross-border Centre of Expertise  Communications & Brand Experience in Belgium and the Netherlands, the team is responsible for devising, developing and implementing ING’s media and public affairs strategy. The department consists of four press officers who act as spokespersons and liaisons (SPOCS) to various business units, a public affairs manager focusing on managing politicians and other special interest groups and a consultant for the business with regards to the implementation of our sustainability strategy. 

Why ING in Belgium?

There has never been a more interesting time to work at ING. We’re on a journey that’s centred around our customers, powered by technology and driven by smart, determined people. Our customers feel our people are empowering them to stay a step ahead in life and in business. And we’re proud of it.

We offer you a clear purpose, a unique offer, flexible compensation and a range of other benefits: from personal growth to challenging work with endless opportunities to realise your ambitions. A hybrid way of working is the new norm. As is an informal, innovative environment with dynamic colleagues ready to support your endeavours. A progressive and agile way of working, where new ideas get the recognition they deserve.

A clear purpose, a unique offer and a range of flexible compensation and other benefits:

• Personal growth & challenging work with endless opportunities to realise your ambitions
• An informal, dynamic environment with innovative colleagues supporting your endeavors’
• A progressive and agile way of working, where new ideas are valued ahead of convention

A hybrid way of working

• We give the autonomy to our employees to let them organize their work in a flexible way that suits best for them while ensuring business continuity, customer service and employee wellbeing.

We can’t wait to meet you

Convinced you have what it takes to take the lead in speaking and acting on behalf of our bank? We’re looking forward to reading your CV and motivation. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to Safia Yachou (head of Media Relations for ING in Belgium) on +32 498 04 00 41 or 

Organisational context

ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 51,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries.

As part of ING in Belgium & the Netherlands, the Center of Expertise (CoE) Communications & Brand Experience is responsible for all internal and external communications and brand management (including advertising and sponsorship) within Belgium and the Netherlands. The CoE reports directly to the Head of Market Leaders (board member) and the head of the CoE has a functional reporting line to the Global Head of Communications and Brand Experience of ING Group. Besides the Media Relations department, the CoE includes Internal & External Communications (content, channels & advice), Corporate Social Responsibility, Brand Experience, Advertising and Sponsoring.