Communications BP Southern Europe & SA

Communications Business Partner, Southern Europe & South Africa (Internal & Client Communications)

LOCATION: Italy, Milan

JOB-TYPE: Full-time / Hybrid working - 3 days in office and 2 days from home

ROLE OVERVIEW 

The Communications Business Partner serves as a strategic communications advisor to the Southern Europe & South Africa leadership team, helping drive business priorities, organizational change and stakeholder engagement across the region.

As a trusted communications advisor, the role partners closely with regional leadership, country management teams, HR, Service, and other key stakeholders to deliver impactful internal and external communications that align with ADP's business objectives and ESI communication strategy.

The role combines strategic communications planning with hands-on delivery, ensuring consistent, engaging and measurable communications for both associates and clients across multiple countries and cultures. It requires the ability to operate effectively in a matrixed global organization, balancing regional priorities with enterprise-wide communication initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure global communications policies and standards are adhered to and ensure overall quality of all communications.
• Develop and execute integrated communication strategies that support business objectives across Southern Europe & South Africa and align with the broader ESI communications strategy, localizing ESI messaging and formats as needed.
• Partner with the GM and HRD for the Country for leadership communication support – content development for ‘state of the business’ updates, ghost writing, talking points as required, management of town hall events. 
• Partner with the GM and key stakeholders across the business, including HR, Operations, Legal and Compliance, to ensure consistent, timely and effective communications.
• Act as a trusted communications advisor to regional and country leadership teams, providing strategic counsel on business priorities, transformation initiatives, organizational change and stakeholder engagement.
• Create and deliver compelling communication plans and content that drive associate engagement, strengthen leadership visibility and enhance the client experience.
• Work as active member of the ESI communication team supporting/coaching team members and leading/contributing to ESI wide projects and deliverables as agreed.
• Support change management initiatives through effective communication of organizational transformations and fostering employee engagement.
• Member of the local crisis comms team and responsible for development of local crisis comms in close alignment with relevant stakeholders depending on impact of crisis – corp crisis comms team, ESI comms team, legal, security, GM and local business leads.
• Lead the development of communication campaigns, events, webinars, leadership forums and other engagement initiatives that foster understanding, collaboration and advocacy among associates and clients.
• Translate complex business, technical, regulatory or industry topics into clear, engaging and audience-focused clients’ communications.
• Manage regional communication calendars and priorities, ensuring alignment between local business needs and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Promote communication best practices, governance, brand standards and messaging consistency across all channels and markets.
• Measure communication effectiveness through engagement metrics, stakeholder feedback and business outcomes, using insights to continuously improve communication strategies and programs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across a matrixed international organization, influencing stakeholders and driving communications excellence throughout the region.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications / English / Journalism / Creative writing or other related field or a combination of relevant work experience and knowledge.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED

• Must be fluent in Italian and English. 
• Advanced/Fluent Spanish (written and spoken) required.
• Significant experience in internal, external and crisis communications within an international and matrixed organization.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfortable interacting with stakeholders at all levels in a global, matrixed organization.
• Ability to interact with and influence all levels of management, including senior stakeholders and Executive Leadership team. Experience in advising them on communication and engagement activities and strategy.
• Ability to maintain full confidentiality on sensitive topics.
• Proactive and independent with hands-on approach.
• Strong communicator and presenter with exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organised, with strong project management and time management skills.
• High attention to detail with strong proof reading, editing, layout and design skills.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft products (e.g. PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Experience of writing for different media: video and podcast scripts, slide decks, social media posts for leadership.
• Ability to translate highly technical information into client-friendly copy.