Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications

Description

Hanwha USA, a leading industrial manufacturing company delivering energy, shipbuilding and defense solutions to commercial and government customers, seeks an experienced professional to serve as Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications. Based in Washington, DC, the Vice President of Corporate Communications is a senior-level position within Hanwha’s Corporate Affairs office. Hanwha USA is the U.S. arm of Hanwha, a multi-national Fortune 500 company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

Serving Hanwha’s U.S. affiliates, the Corporate Affairs function manages the company’s priorities in government relations, corporate communications, regulatory and trade matters, market strategy and sustainability. The Vice President of Corporate Communications integrates seamlessly with all the Corporate Affairs functions as well as the communications team in South Korea to advance public relations strategies around traditional and renewable energy development, shipbuilding and maritime, defense systems, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

With a growing footprint in the United States, Hanwha USA is driving major investments across the natural gas, solar energy manufacturing and deployment, defense, shipbuilding and shipping sectors. As the owner of the Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Hanwha Defense USA, the company is poised to bring innovative technologies that will significantly impact the maritime and defense industries in the U.S.

Position Description

Reporting to the President of Corporate Affairs based in Washington, DC, the Vice President of Corporate Communications will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive and forward-leaning communications strategies that advance Hanwha’s interests in the United States, showcasing the company’s key investments across multiple industrial sectors. The strategies should include plans to engage not only influential media, but also government stakeholders and influencers at all levels of government.

Hanwha seeks a seasoned, highly motivated professional with at least 15 years of experience leading complex corporate and political communications. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of executing strategic communications that drive tangible results and will have served as head of communications or in a comparable senior role at a similarly positioned company. Gravitas, executive presence, and confidence in decision-making and interaction with senior executives are essential. This position is based in Washington, DC, and requires five days a week physical presence.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan that advances Hanwha’s business priorities and growth objectives within complicated policy and political environments across all levels of government.

Serve as a strategic counselor to company leadership on communications opportunities and reputational challenges.

Collaborate with strategic communications counterparts across Hanwha subsidiaries and with marketing and branding teams, including those at Hanwha’s headquarters in South Korea.

Analyze the company’s commercial and reputational challenges to identify winning communications strategies and tactics for external audiences, including customers, commercial partners, government leaders and key influencers.

Collaborate with market strategy team, government relations executives and legal counsel to support and leverage identified priorities.

Identify both external and internal opportunities to increase understanding of the company’s solar manufacturing and energy development initiatives as well as raise awareness around shipbuilding capacity in the U.S.

Prepare integrated content strategies, talking points, speeches and presentations for company leaders, grounded in compelling narratives that elevate Hanwha’s brands and initiatives.

Develop effective relationships with key media covering energy, defense and shipbuilding sectors, as well as with business and political reporters assigned to policy debates of interest to Hanwha subsidiaries.

Prioritize media opportunities across all platforms; serve as the primary media contact and oversee day-to-day communications activities.

Brief, prepare and guide company executives for media engagements and public appearances.

Manage internal and external communications responses to crises or emergencies posing reputational risks.

Guarantee excellence in quality and consistency across all written communications, including digital content, printed materials, collateral, website content and social media.

Serve as spokesperson for the company.

Required Qualifications

15 years of experience leading complex corporate and political communications.

Bachelor’s Degree required.

Strategic public relations thinker with the ability to lead and motivate a high-performing communications team and other company executives in advancing public relations and government relations objectives.

Results-driven with a commitment to delivering high-quality communications products aligned with definable goals and objectives.

Collaborative but decisive professional demeanor based on strong interpersonal skills.

A “start-up” or resourceful work ethic with a commitment to executing all responsibilities – administrative as well.

The preferred candidate will offer strong strategic, analytical and political acumen with a deep understanding of the demands on businesses influenced by public policymaking at all levels of government.

Proven success with corporate crisis communications and high-profile issue advocacy campaigns.

A communications professional who thrives in a multinational business setting while keeping a strategic focus on building and protecting brand reputation.

A successful record of directing a high-performing corporate communications function in the integration of strategic communications, media relations and reputation management.

Strong business acumen based on a broad understanding of business needs and how communications strategies drive outcomes.

Deep understanding and commitment to internal communications targeting employee engagement that builds a sense of community among a new and growing workforce.

A proven communicator in all forms with the ability to think strategically and analytically while making sound decisions quickly that convincingly guide and influence internal and external stakeholders.

An exceptional listener who enjoys working collaboratively in a large, complex and highly matrixed corporate structure.

Experience in developing communications that support CSR and sustainability policies.

Physical, Mental & Environmental Demands

To comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the essential physical, mental and environmental requirements for this job are listed below. These are requirements normally expected to perform regular job duties. Incumbent must be able to successfully perform all of the functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

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