Job Description
(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 closely with global and regional teams to ensure alignment with our overarching 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 collaboratively 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 aforementioned regions.
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 closely 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 close 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:
- Drive the development and execution of PR and media strategies targeting Benelux and Nordics media outlets, in alignment 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 proficiency in 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.
- Outstanding relationship-building, organisational, 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 attractive compensation with a secure, socially committed and fair employer
- The compatibility of family and career is important to us - that's why we offer 30 days of vacation + vacation on your birthday, a flexible working time model with working hours between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and the option to work from home
- An attractive company pension plan and the option to purchase company shares at preferential conditions
- Appealing gastronomy with varied and healthy dining options in modern office buildings
- Diverse opportunities for personal and professional development
- Special offers for employees, such as the EGYM Wellpass fitness programme, Jobrad and Digital4U – gross leasing for personal IT devices (tablets, laptops, smartphones and much more)
- Jobticket 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. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.
- Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
- Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
- Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
- Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
- Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter
Learn more at axaxl.com/about-us/inclusion-and-diversity. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Total Rewards
AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.
We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.
Sustainability
At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.
Our Pillars:
- Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
- Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
- Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
- AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.
For more information, please see axaxl.com/sustainability.
Who we are
AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.
How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.
With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.
Learn more at axaxl.com