Vice President of Communications - CMA CGM North America - #134856

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

SUMMARY

The Vice President of Communications – North America will develop, lead, and implement the communications strategy for internal and external audiences and manage the CMA CGM brand and reputation. This executive has responsibility for oversight of media relations, government relations at the federal and state municipal level, crisis management, internal c ommunications, community services, and social/digital media.

This executive is a leader with an enterprise mindset and experience with executive communications and success in building and enhancing the company’s reputation. S/he will set strategic direction with the Global Group and all primary stakeholders at head office. S/he has a high level of comfort interacting, establishing, and deepening trust and persuading key stakeholders, including internal leadership, media, and other influencers.

Success will be driven through high performance with an unrelenting focus on creating a positive image of CMA CGM throughout North America. The successful candidate will have a global mindset with a commitment to the North America market. With focus on the current and future product platform must serve as an expert partner to senior leadership on a wide variety of situations. S/he must be a savvy executive with success working collaboratively.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
This professional will lead all strategic and operational aspects of the corporate communications function including focused messaging to external audiences, with the goal of continuous improvement in brand visibility.
S/he will develop and implement external communication plans that advance CMA CGM's commercial and market objectives in association with functional leaders both globally and regionally.

S/he will develop proactive communications programs designed to increase visibility and enhance the public image CMA CGM with employees, government agencies, customers, opinion leaders, the media, and the decision makers in every one of these areas.

The successful candidate will create a vision and develop a comprehensive, integrated, and modern communications plan and plan for web, digital, email, social and internet search marketing channels that will reach target segments quickly and effectively and promote achievement of CMA CGM goals.

S/he will oversee dynamic multichannel communication campaigns, and ensure a clear plan is developed, cross-functional teams are coordinated, and metrics of success are established, closely monitored, and met.

S/he will lead the creation/production of inspiring design, content and campaigns that build the brand and increase brand exposure.

This expert will ensure the brand is strong and closely aligned with the businesses vision and communicated internally and externally with efficiency, creativity, and impact.

The successful candidate will develop and strengthen the CMA CGM compelling voice to build brand awareness, relevance, reputation, and esteem among all target audiences.

S/he will work effectively with the senior leadership team on successful implementation and evolution of the brand strategy.

S/he will manage day-to-day operations of the communications department to leverage online, creative, partnerships, executive positioning, and earned media assets to connect the company with target audiences on a greater scale.

This executive will be the go-to expert on communications support for the senior management team and key decision makers to ensure consistency of messages, alignment with goals and objectives of CMA CGM.

The successful candidate will lead proactive and reactive strategies for external audiences to manage flow of news about CMA CGM, boosting the company's reputation through communications channels, including press releases and materials, direct media communication, public relations events, trade shows, social media, and corporate website.

This executive will take a leading role serving as a spokesperson as needed. S/he will represent the views of the news media to management in a timely and insightful manner, shaping mature and effective responses to complex issues, including operations, financial, and government/ regulatory agency topics.

Always alert, this executive will closely monitor industry news and specific news about CMA CGM and competitors and proactively identify emerging issues, particularly those issues which could negatively impact CMA CGM's business strategy. Build corporate readiness for response to time sensitive situations.

S/he will lead and develop issues/crisis management communications programs and lead preparation of the executive team.

S/he will foster and maintain appropriate relationships with the media and other key groups (e.g., industry associations, industry analysts, business partners, and government agencies).

The successful candidate will Identify and implement strategies for emerging communications channels and tools, and leverage data to monitor effectiveness of communications strategies, adjusting as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:
The ideal candidate will bring a compelling and complete set of corporate communication skills. S/he will be an accomplished communications professional with at least 10 years' experience in brand or corporate communications, public relations agency, or related field, including at least five years in a management role. Demonstrated ability delivering high impact strategic communication plans.
Outstanding interpersonal skills to represent CMA CGM with excellence, having the goal of setting the stage for the USA President and down through the senior management team to interact with high-profile clients, vendors, and governments on the same level.
A background in shipping, logistics or transportation, preferably for global organizations with prominent brands is preferred.

A strong and effective leader and counselor with a documented track record of success helping organizations build prominent brand recognition.

Deep experience working with the media and building internal and external relationships with stakeholders.

A diverse spectrum of marketing and communications experience, including collateral development, paid advertising, direct marketing, digital communications, and publications.

A strong consensus builder: capable of exercising positive influence in driving outcomes where formal authority might not exist.

Self-motivated with a passion for understanding CMA CGM's business and for contributing to its strategy and strategic goals; s trong analytical skills , sound judgment and data driven ; h igh degree of familiarity with digital technology and how to effectively leverage the right tools.

Experience handling regulatory, litigation, financial, or other reputational risk for a similarly sized and equally complex organization.

Exceptional English verbal and written communication skills are essential, working knowledge of the French language is a strong plus.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.

Master's degree is preferred in related field, preferred.

MOBILITY:
This position is based in Norfolk, Virginia

Come along on CMA CGM’s adventure! CMA CGM (America) LLC is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected classification.