(Senior) Communications Associate, Northern Europe

Overview

(Senior) Communications Associate, Northern Europe — Permanent in Cologne, Germany

You will own and drive AXA XL's internal communications activities in Germany, and act as a key point of contact while contributing to building and coordinating AXA XL's internal and external communications activities in the Benelux and Nordics markets. You will collaborate with global and regional teams to ensure alignment with our internal and external communications strategies and consistency across these markets. You will take ownership of specific deliverables and workstreams in support of the German Leadership Team's internal communications needs, and the Benelux and Nordics Leadership Teams' external and internal communications efforts. You will drive the execution of European thought leadership and social media strategies — leveraging and adapting these to elevate AXA XL's brand, showcase our products, and support business growth and reputation management in the Benelux and Nordics. You will report to the Communications Director, Europe, and work with internal teams and leadership, bringing forward recommendations and managing day-to-day delivery to help highlight AXA XL's capabilities and reinforce our market position across the regions named above.

What you’ll be doing

What will your essential responsibilities include?

Internal Communications

• Own and drive internal communications efforts in Germany, developing programs and messages to engage employees and support organizational change.
• Drive the roll-out of global internal communications campaigns and initiatives in Germany, as well as the Benelux and Nordics markets, working with the regional internal communications manager for APAC & Europe and local teams to ensure consistent and effective messaging.
• Act as a key point of contact for leadership in developing and delivering communications around strategic priorities and updates.
• Proactively identify business wins and opportunities for regional communications initiatives.

Thought leadership

• Take ownership in driving the execution of AXA XL's thought leadership strategy, deliverables and initiatives for Benelux and Nordics, in collaboration with the Communications Director, Europe.
• Oversee the adaptation and translation of content into local languages where relevant.

Stakeholder engagement

• Collaborate with the German, Benelux and Nordics leadership teams to develop internal and external communication plans.
• Work with the Benelux and Nordics leadership teams and underwriting leaders to execute external communications strategies and initiatives supporting their business objectives.
• Partner with colleagues across the Global Communications & Brand team and the local Distribution teams to deliver integrated campaigns and ensure consistent messaging.

Media relations

• Develop and execute PR and media strategies targeting Benelux and Nordics media outlets, aligned with the Communications Director, Europe, to enhance AXA XL's reputation.
• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, ensuring strategic alignment with global and local teams.

You will report to the Communications Director, Europe

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

Required Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience in communications within the financial services or insurance industry.
• Excellent German and/or Dutch written and verbal communication skills, with a strong command of English.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience supporting thought leadership initiatives and adapting and translating content for diverse markets.
• Ability to tailor messaging to different audiences and cultural contexts across Northern Europe.
• Strong relationship-building, organizational, and project management skills.
• Proactive, strategic thinker with a positive attitude.

Desired Skills and Abilities

• Multilingual capabilities: German and/or Dutch, with at least one language at native level and the other at a minimum of B1. A strong command of English (B2 or above) is essential. Additional relevant languages are considered a plus.
• Knowledge of media landscapes in the Benelux and/or Nordics.
• Experience drafting press releases, interview briefings and key messages, as well as preparing and coaching spokespeople for media and public speaking opportunities.
• Familiarity with media monitoring tools and analytics platforms.

Our benefits

• An attractive working environment, with competitive compensation and a secure, socially committed employer.
• Work-life balance: 30 days of vacation plus a birthday off, flexible working hours between 6:00 and 21:00, and option to work from home.
• Attractive pension plan and option to purchase company shares at preferential conditions.
• Dining options in modern office buildings, diverse opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Special offers for employees, such as fitness programs, bike lease, and IT device leasing.
• Job ticket subsidy.

What we offer

Inclusion

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success. It’s about helping one another and our business move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 chapters around the globe.
• Flexible working arrangements support.
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits.
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index.
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter.

Learn more at AXA XL inclusion and diversity information and AXA XL sustainability pages. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards

AXA XL’s rewards program covers health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security with competitive compensation and inclusive benefits that evolve with you. We reward contributions for the long term so you can be your best today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability

AXA XL integrates sustainability into our business strategy. Our Roots of Resilience ) focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across operations. Pillars include Valuing Nature, Addressing Climate Change, Integrating ESG, and AXA Hearts in Action (volunteering and charitable programs).

For more information, please see AXA XL sustainability and inclusion pages. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Who we are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, solves complex risks for mid-sized companies, multinationals and individuals. We combine a capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology and talented people to deliver client service across all lines of business. Learn more at AXA XL website.