Polestar is the independent electric performance car brand founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding.
Operating as a start-up, but with the benefits of experience and expertise provided by its established founding companies, Polestar is a dynamic, exciting and rapidly expanding brand.
Polestar's first two products - the electric performance hybrid Polestar 1 and the electric performance fastback Polestar 2 - have been recognised both by the world's press and customers to be outstanding vehicles.
Polestar are currently marketed in 15 global markets across China, Europe and North America.
**Let us describe the challenge we offer**
As the brand now begins to embark on its next phase, new global markets demand an expansion of the business function to ensure a successful launch in new markets.
The launch of new markets will be coordinated centrally.
The head of PR Italy will report directly to the market MD.
The role is based at Polestar's office in Milan.
**What you'll do**
- Develop and maintain the awareness, consideration and positive perception of the Polestar brand, as well as defend its corporate reputation, with journalists, influencers and other key stakeholders, in Italy
- Develop and implement strategy and budget plans for the Italian market.
Adopt global strategy and create local activities, news hooks and story lines to activate the market
- Work closely with the Events team to launch the brand and its products in the new market and take the lead for local events
- Build up media relationships from scratch and maintain reputation and trust within the brand by, targeting, pitching, sell-in, etc.
with media audiences
- Represent the brand as a spokesperson, to engage with press, opinion leaders, local associations, influencers, as well as other external and internal stakeholders and create positive perception of the brand and products
- Position Polestar within public debates, making best use of the dedicated spokes persons within headquarters to strengthen our leadership in EV, design, technology and sustainability, as well as support local MD to communicate local strategies
- Handel crisis communication and avoid controversies
- Monitor and evaluate media coverage in order to act upon learnings and consequences, report accordingly to the management
- Completion of all planned projects by reaching targeted KPIs, within budget.
- Be responsible for internal communications in the market and towards headquarters
- Onboard and manage press agencies as well as further third party suppliers
Key audiences are Polestar's external stakeholders such as: journalists and influencers, local and national government, business partners, potential and existing customers, potential and existing employees, and associations.
**Who you are**
- Bachelor's degree or above, preferably in communications, business administration or journalism
- 10 years plus working experience in Public Relations and Communications, with at least 5 years with a large multinational corporation.
Luxury/premium automotive industry working background is preferred
- Experience working with, and managing, agencies and consultants, and managing budgets
- An ability to network with colleagues, external influencers such as journalists and industry organisations, is a vital prerequisite of the job.
A regular programme of visits and international travel should be expected, depending on global health circumstances
- The employee is expected to be on-call 24 hours a day to deal with urgent communications issues
- Be intellectually mature, proactive, independent, entrepreneurial, results-driven, resilience and have great team spirit
- Self-driven and hands-on
- Have a winning and motivating personality clearly showing the passion for the brand
- Have strong verbal, editing and writing skills in English and Italian
- Have strong networking skills
- Have a strong ability to align and work with other team
- Prepare to be based in Milan, Italy
- Be prepared to learn and grow in a start-up environment where a fast pace, ability to make considered decisions quickly, and rapidly learn lessons to improve future activities, is the norm
At Polestar, you will be part of a cross-functional and international team, with English as a natural language for written and spoken communication.
Since Polestar's in a scale up phase you thrive by working in a fast-paced environment.
**People at Polestar**
We know that a change is needed.
We also know that each one of us can help bring about that change.
Our commitment to becoming climate-neutral by 2040 is just as important to us as being inclusive, diverse, and innovative.
Together, we are creating, collaborating and experimenting to usher in a new era of sustainable mobility.
We are an electric performance brand, determined to improve the society we live in.
Are you ready for the journey?