Head of Communications, Asia Pacific

The Role

This role leads the Christie’s Asia Pacific Communications team to oversee and strengthen communications activities across APAC. Providing strategic direction, counsel, as well as hands-on activation and practical support for all relevant communications relating to Christie’s brand, business, auctions and events in Asia Pacific, the successful candidate also will provide appropriate support to win new business and to protect and enhance Christie’s corporate reputation across all platforms. This role will direct and manage a small team of expert communications colleagues across the region, and will work in collaboration with the EMEA, France and Americas equivalent roles as a senior regional leader on Christie’s global communications team.

Specific duties & responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Communications

• Work with the APAC Head of Marketing, Communications & Client Strategy; APAC President; Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and key departments to develop appropriate communications plans, including digital and traditional media campaigns that advance the strategic goals for Christie’s APAC.

• Ensure a steady, strategic and consistent flow of external communications about the company’s business activities (including live, online and private sales; other business platforms; expert leadership; and financial performance) to key target audiences and stakeholders within APAC and beyond; special focus on expansion of Christie’s footprint in Asia and HK and India.

• Balance the communications needs of multiple internal stakeholder groups and varied timelines from immediate to long-term; including strategic planning and execution of publicity campaigns to promote Christie’s activities.

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key media and opinion-makers across the APAC art and luxury lifestyle market.

• Encourage and pursue the highest level of consistent, accurate and proactive media coverage for Christie’s APAC across traditional and digital media platforms/outlets.

• Lead and work closely with the in-house PR team (current staff of 2 managers), and as necessary with affiliated freelancers and agencies, to ensure excellent brand positioning, across the APAC region.

• Advise relevant internal stakeholders, including senior leaders, on reputational matters, providing proactive and positive counsel in addition to strategies for managing crises or sensitive issues, including communications with the APAC media and opinion-makers.

• Work proactively and collaboratively with partner colleagues in Marketing, Content, and Communications in APAC and other regions by sharing information, modelling best-practices, amplifying key narratives strategically and intentionally, and giving media access to high quality content across platforms.

Team Leadership and Management

• Measure the achievement of specific objectives as set out with Head of Marketing, Communications & Client Strategy APAC; Regional President and Global Head of Communications, as an integral part of agreed marketing campaign.

• Ensure regional consistency with company-wide corporate messaging and strategy.

• Work closely with colleagues in the US and Europe, ensuring worldwide coverage of activities and promotion of expertise.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the team including recruitment, training & development, resource deployment, performance management, department P&L and cost-effective decision-making.
• Develop and coach the team to success, foster talent by setting clear objectives and providing need support and guidance.

The Candidate

• Degree holder in Communications, Media, Marketing or related disciplines. Minimum 15 years of proven success in corporate communications, reputation management and media storytelling preferably within art, culture, luxury industries with minimum 7 years in managerial role.
• Good literacy and understanding of the principles of PR, Corporate PR and Crisis Communications.
• Willing and able to identify and develop new and/or non-traditional approaches to promote Christie’s brand and sales activities through earned media.
• Strong network of journalist contacts across multiple media sectors in Asia and proven media handling skills.
• Smart, dedicated and creative with exceptional business acumen and excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• A natural collaborator; able build trusted relationships and partner effectively with multiple stakeholders.In possessesion of the stature, gravitas and confidence to quickly establish credibility as a trusted partner with other senior leaders.
• Detailed-oriented with ability to identify priorities and create a streamlined and efficient team to meet the business needs under time pressure.
• Fluency in English and Chinese; excellent written and presentation skills in English and Chinese.
• Preference to have professional experience in EMEA and/or the USA.