Lead - Corporate Communications

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Lead – External Communications will be responsible for shaping, protecting, and enhancing Pernod Ricard India’s external reputation across media, influencers, industry bodies, and key external stakeholders. The role will lead proactive and reactive media engagement, thought leadership, corporate storytelling, crisis communications, and brand-level corporate PR, aligned with Pernod Ricard’s global values of conviviality, responsibility, and sustainability.

This role operates in a highly regulated environment and requires strong judgment, stakeholder management, and narrative-building capabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

            EXTERNAL MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

• Develop and execute a robust external communications strategy aligned with Pernod Ricard India’s business priorities and global communication framework.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for national and regional media.

• Actively build, cultivate and sustain strong media relationships across business, trade, lifestyle, and policy media.

• Manage media outreach for corporate announcements, leadership visibility, sustainability initiatives, innovation, and brand milestones (within regulatory boundaries).

• Proactively identify opportunities to secure favorable coverage around key strategic announcements, special events and other key projects that aid in Reputation building.

• Stay updated on developments that could impact business / key stakeholders / partners.

REPUTATION AND ISSUES MANAGEMENT

• Monitor media, policy developments, and public discourse relevant to the alcobev sector; proactively flag risks and opportunities.

• Anticipate reputational risks / issues and develop and implement appropriate communication actions.

• Protect and strengthen Pernod Ricard India’s corporate reputation in a complex regulatory and social environment.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Position senior leadership as credible voices in the industry

• Develop long-term narratives around Pernod Ricard India’s purpose, ESG agenda, responsible drinking, and socio-economic contribution.

• Support participation in external forums, panels, interviews, and industry platforms.

STAKEHOLDER & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

• Support communications related to industry bodies, trade associations, and policy engagement, in collaboration with the corporate affairs teams).

• Manage external communication around partnerships, CSR programs, and sustainability initiatives.

INTERNAL COLLABORATION & GOVERNANCE

• Work closely with brand teams, legal, public affairs, HR, sustainability, and global communications to ensure message alignment and compliance.

• Develop and maintain an external communications calendar plotting media opportunities and speaking engagements for the company’s media spokespersons

• Develop content, briefing documents, press releases, speeches, articles for PRI announcements for key media spokespersons.

• Manage external agencies, PR, Creative, Digital, Events.. Regularly evaluate impact of the strategy vs results, oversee budgets, KPIs, and performance.

KEY INTERFACE

INTERNAL

• All Functions

• Communications teams at Pernod Ricard HQ

EXTERNAL

• Media, key influencers and Opinion Leaders

• Partner agencies – PR, content, creative, digital, events, etc.

• Industry bodies and Associations

JOB REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from a premier institute - Communications, journalism, public relations, or related field; postgraduate qualification preferred

EXPERIENCE

• 15-20 years of total experience, with a significant stint in a large, diversified Corporate

• Experience in FMCG, alcobev, consumer goods, or regulated industries strongly preferred

• Agency + in-house corporate experience would be a strong advantage

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong strategic thinking with hands-on execution capability

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• High level of judgment, discretion, and crisis-handling capabilities

• Deep understanding of the Indian media landscape

• Ability to navigate regulatory constraints and sensitive issues

• Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration

• Results-driven, proactive, and resilient under pressure

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