Strategic Communications, Specialist

About Vanguard
Founded in 1975, Vanguard is one of the world's leading investment management companies. The firm offers investments, advice, and retirement services to tens of millions of individual investors around the globe—directly, through workplace plans, and through financial intermediaries.

Vanguard India

Vanguard’s office in India is a significant milestone in our global expansion. We are committed to establishing an enduring technology center in Hyderabad, Telangana and are excited to be adding talent who will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobile, and cloud-based technologies that drive our business outcomes and deliver a world-class experience for our clients.  

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly strategic, collaborative, and communications-driven Strategic Communications Specialist (CS02) to lead executive communications, external communications, public relations, industry positioning, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

This role will be responsible for developing and executing communication plans that strengthen organizational reputation, enhance leadership visibility, support business transformation initiatives, and elevate employer and corporate brand positioning.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Communications

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans that align with organizational priorities and business objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders and executives to create impactful leadership messaging, strategic narratives, presentations, speeches, talking points, and communication materials.
• Lead executive communications initiatives that enhance leadership visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Support change management programs through effective communication planning and execution.
• Translate complex business initiatives into clear, compelling, and audience-focused communications.

External Communications & Public Relations

• Lead external communications programs focused on increasing organizational visibility and strengthening corporate reputation.
• Manage public relations activities, media engagement strategies, press releases, leadership interviews, and thought leadership campaigns.
• Develop and maintain relationships with media partners, journalists, industry influencers, and external communication agencies.
• Support government relations and industry engagement initiatives through targeted communications strategies.
• Drive industry positioning efforts by identifying opportunities to showcase organizational expertise and leadership.

Industry Relations, Sponsorships & Brand Positioning

• Manage strategic partnerships with industry associations, professional bodies, and external organizations.
• Coordinate sponsorship opportunities, industry events, conferences, and executive participation programs.
• Develop communication plans to maximize visibility and business impact from sponsorships and external events.
• Support annual communications calendars, event communications, and corporate branding initiatives.
• Strengthen the organization's presence across industry forums and key stakeholder networks.

Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop communication strategies to support organizational transformation, business transition, and transfer planning initiatives.
• Drive stakeholder engagement plans that foster alignment across global teams and business functions.
• Partner with leaders to assess communication requirements and implement tailored engagement approaches.
• Ensure consistent messaging across multiple stakeholder groups and geographic regions.
• Support internal office events and key business initiatives through structured communication planning.

Project Management & Communications Operations

• Lead end-to-end planning, execution, governance, and measurement of communications programs and campaigns.
• Manage relationships with communication agencies, PR firms, and external vendors.
• Develop communication roadmaps, content calendars, campaign plans, and reporting mechanisms.
• Monitor communication effectiveness through performance metrics and stakeholder feedback.
• Ensure timely execution of communication deliverables while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in English, Journalism, Mass Communication, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English Literature, Public Relations, or a related discipline.

• 5-8 years of experience in Strategic Communications, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Executive Communications, or related functions.
• Proven experience supporting CXO-level Executive Communications and leadership messaging initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing external communications, media relations, public relations, and industry engagement programs.
• Experience working with communication agencies, PR agencies, and external vendors.
• Strong stakeholder management experience across global and cross-functional teams.
• Prior experience supporting organizational change management and transformation communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services & Insurance) industry.
• Experience supporting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) or multinational organizations.
• Exposure to government relations, industry advocacy, and external affairs initiatives.
• Experience managing global stakeholder groups across the US, UK, and India.
• Familiarity with executive branding, thought leadership campaigns, and corporate reputation management.

Location

This role is based in Hyderabad, Telangana at Vanguard India. Only qualified external applicants will be considered.

Our mission

Vanguard adheres to a simple purpose: To take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.

Our commitment to you 

Vanguard takes the same long-term view of your success—at work and in life—with Benefits and Rewards packages that reflect what you care about, throughout all the phases and stages of your life. Our Total Rewards programs provide you and your loved ones with wellness support for key areas in your life: 

Financial wellness 
We're committed to enabling your financial success and provide competitive offers and programs. 

Physical wellness 
We're committed to providing benefits that support your physical health and wellness. 

Personal wellness 
We're committed to providing resources that help support the full scope of your life. 

How we work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for most of our employees (crew members), designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.