APAC Communications Lead

Business Unit:

Global Marketing

Job Description:

Russell Investments is seeking hands-on and strategic communications professional to lead and evolve our regional communications efforts across APAC. This individual contributor role sits within the global Corporate Communications function and serves as the key liaison for integrated communications across the region, with a primary presence in Sydney to work directly alongside the APAC Leadership Team (ALT). The role requires in-office collaboration with senior business leaders in Sydney while engaging virtually with leaders in Tokyo and communications colleagues in New York. While not a formal people manager, the role involves indirect leadership through coaching team members, delegating workstreams, and guiding cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment and execution.

The ideal candidate will balance strategic oversight with swift, high-quality execution – setting direction, while actively producing content, managing relationships, and executing communications at pace across multiple geographies. They'll advise senior stakeholders, oversee key initiatives, and also be directly responsible for day-to-day deliverables.

This role covers the full communications lifecycle – from external corporate visibility through media relations and reputation management, to social media and executive visibility, internal messaging and employee engagement. The successful candidate will know how to align global strategy with locally relevant action and will bring a mix of strategic judgment, tactical precision, and trusted partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Leadership

• Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy for APAC markets across (Japan, Australia/NZ, and South East Asia) aligned with global priorities and regional needs

• Serve as a senior advisor to regional business leaders and spokespeople on key messaging, communications planning, and stakeholder engagement, with particular emphasis on establishing trusted partnerships with the APAC Leadership Team in Sydney and maintaining strong connections with senior stakeholders and media/PR partners across Australia and Japan
• Balance strategy with execution: develop plans and frameworks, but also write, review, and deploy communications directly
• Act as a connector across functions and time zones, ensuring alignment between comms, marketing, brand, and HR, with a proven track record of driving collaborative outcomes efficiently across diverse stakeholders

• Partner with in-country PR and comms teams to ensure consistency of voice and messaging at regional and local levels

• External Visibility, Media Relations & Reputation Management

• Lead proactive and reactive media relations in key APAC markets, act as spokesperson when appropriate

• Build and manage relationships with tier-one media, trade publications, and industry influencers to enhance visibility of Russell Investments' leadership, expertise, and brand.
• Develop and deliver earned media strategies that showcase the firm's thought leadership, innovation, and client success stories.
• In partnership with Marketing and the business, identify, secure, and manage participation in high-visibility opportunities such as conferences, awards, panel discussions, podcasts, and interviews for senior executives and subject matter experts, ensuring Russell Investments is represented alongside key competitors and peers at major country, region, and global industry forums where business and finance leaders, press, and influencers convene.
• Collaborate with marketing and content teams to sponsor or co-create branded thought leadership and editorial partnerships that extend reach and reinforce credibility.
• Serve as first responder to reputational issues, partnering with Legal, Risk, and global Comms as needed, with demonstrated ability to act quickly, decisively, and under pressure across multiple geographies

• Provide media coaching to regional spokespeople and support C-level external visibility where applicable

• Social, Digital & Thought leadership

• Curate and maintain a forward calendar of thought leadership and visibility opportunities, including content sponsorships, award nominations, and industry partnerships.

• Partner with global social media and brand teams to ensure regional alignment with global campaigns and guidelines
• Develop content ideas and coordinate execution for regional LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social channels
• Monitor social and digital performance across APAC/for reputational risks and engagement opportunities

• Support employee advocacy efforts and promote regional success stories across platform

• Internal Communications & Culture

• Lead the development and execution of internal comms plans that support business goals, firm culture, and regional priorities

• Draft and produce communications for internal events, leadership updates, and employee-facing campaigns
• Partner with HR and business leaders to drive employee engagement and support culture- building across diverse markets

• Build a strong feedback loop with associates to ensure internal communications are inclusive, impactful, and well understood

• Metrics & Integration

• Track and report on communications KPIs for both internal and external channels
• Provide quarterly reporting to global Corporate Communications and regional business leaders
• Ensure regional communications are connected to global brand, content, and PR calendars
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of messaging frameworks, campaign planning, and measurement systems

Qualifications

• 10+ years in corporate communications, preferably in financial services, asset management, insurance, or a similarly regulated industry
• Demonstrated experience in both APAC communications, with cultural fluency, established senior-level networks (particularly Australia and Japan), and a proven ability to influence and partner with leadership teams across geographies
• Strong writer and content creator with ability to adapt tone and message to varied audiences and formats
• Hands-on experience managing media relationships, internal campaigns, and social media content
• Experience acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders; comfortable providing coaching and pushback when needed
• Proven ability to balance big-picture thinking with fast, independent execution, consistently delivering under tight deadlines and across complex, multi-regional contexts
• Bachelor's degree required; focus in Communications, Journalism, or related field preferred

What Success Looks Like

• You shape and deliver regional comms strategy that supports business growth, employee engagement, and brand equity
• You position communications to support the firm's future growth in APAC
• You are both a strategic partner to senior leaders and a reliable operator who executes with excellence
• Russell Investments' presence in APAC is clear, credible, and aligned with the firm's global brand
• Media and industry stakeholders see Russell Investments as a relevant, insightful voice in key markets
• Internal teams feel informed, supported, and connected through consistent, high-quality messaging