Corporate Communications, Senior Associate (6 Month FTC)

Fitch Ratings is currently seeking a Corporate Communications, Senior Associate based out of our London office on a Six Month Fixed-Term Contract.

About Fitch:

As one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, Fitch Ratings plays a critical role in global capital markets by providing credit analysis, ratings, research, and commentary to financial market participants. For over 100 years, Fitch Ratings has been creating value for global markets through its rigorous analysis and deep expertise, which have resulted in a variety of market leading tools, methodologies, indices, research, and analytical products.

Fitch Ratings is part of Fitch Group, a global leader in financial information services with employees in nearly 30 countries and includes Fitch Solutions and Fitch Learning. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.

Explore a career at Fitch Ratings and you’ll join a collaborative network of curious minds. Here, our differences are our strengths - in life as well as our work. Together we work with integrity and objectivity to provide clarity to the world’s financial markets. We pride ourselves on our ability to harness the ideas, expertise, and professionalism of our global workforce, which is integral to our continued success. The accessibility and depth of experience of our industry leading analysts, combined with our broad sector credentials, allow us to help market participants make important credit decisions with confidence.

About the Team:

We are seeking an enthusiastic, energetic, and self-starting Senior Associate to join our Corporate Communications team in London to provide six-month sabbatical leave cover supporting media activities throughout the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The Fitch Corporate Communications team is responsible for helping to protect and advance the firm’s reputation, through the promotion of Fitch’s research, ratings, and thought leadership. We frequently work with a wide variety of global media, including top tier global print/broadcast outlets, business and trade media, and national and local newspapers.

The global team is responsible for supporting all of Fitch Group’s businesses including Fitch Ratings, Fitch Solutions, and Fitch Learning. This role helps the Corporate Communications team protect and enhance Fitch's reputation. As part of an integrated team, you will also collaborate closely with specialists in marketing, internal communications, content distribution, and digital teams to deliver optimal visibility for a range of stakeholders. We seek to optimize Fitch's visibility through topical, timely, and effective communications delivered with strategic focus and strong operating discipline. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and develop in a fast-paced and supportive working environment.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

• Support London communications team in execution of proactive communications strategies to enhance visibility in the media and relationships with reporters
• Under line-manager supervision, coordinate closely with analytical groups, commercial, and marketing teams to ensure broad, timely, and relevant distribution of news about rating decisions, product developments and industry commentary
• Leverage our strong relationships with beat reporters covering the relevant analytical groups and businesses; ensure regular media interaction for analytical team members
• Provide effective media relations counsel in coordination with senior communications team members
• Cultivate new spokespeople; raise media profile of target analysts with an emphasis on business focus areas
• Evaluate and coordinate incoming media inquiries
• Draft media pitches, press releases, white papers, and op-eds
• Identify proactive, creative media opportunities by researching topical themes, digital media and podcasts, and emerging trends
• Partner with colleagues in Digital and Marketing to maximize impact of media results for websites, social feeds, and related marketing collateral
• Collaborate with colleagues in Events to secure media attendees for eligible Fitch-hosted and sponsored events and webinars; provide on-site support as needed
• Provide support for industry awards campaigns
• Manage press lists, track journalist moves, distribute press releases, prepare media briefings
• Compile daily media summaries; conduct ad hoc media monitoring as needed
• Media monitoring, measuring, and reporting. This includes reading, understanding and interpreting press coverage and accurately accessing its importance and / or relevance and compiling ad hoc campaign and quarterly reports on media activity and results across Fitch Group as required

You May Be a Good Fit If:

• 3-5 years’ work experience in an in-house or agency PR/comms role
• Experience/exposure to all aspects of account management and client service
• Background in the financial services/B2B sectors and/or highly regulated industries in a PR/media capacity preferred
• Dynamic self-starter and comfortable assuming responsibility and accountability for projects
• Demonstrates sound judgment in media relations and savvy PR acumen
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail and the ability to see projects through to completion
• A team player with strong verbal and interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain composure and quality work while under deadline in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with current and emerging social/digital media trends
• Based in London/South East area
• Bachelor’s Degree or Professional Qualification

What Would Make You Stand Out:

• The successful candidate must be results-oriented, with strong writing, strong organization, and acute attention to detail.
• Experience executing media relations programmes in financial services is a plus.

Why Choose Fitch:

• Hybrid Work Environment: 3 days a week in office required
• A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated training, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity
• Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals
• Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing
• Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively
• Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe
• Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interests or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked

to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work.

Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.