External Communications Manager

1. Role Overview

As the Marketing Communications Manager at EXL, you will lead the development and execution of strategic communication programs that engage, align, and inspire employees across the organization and help enhance the company's brand image and reputation, internally and externally.

This role will act as a key partner to executive leadership, HR, and business units to deliver timely, consistent, and compelling messaging that reinforces company culture, drives employee engagement, manage employer branding initiatives to attract and retain top talent and enables strategic alignment with organizational goals.

1. Principal Accountabilities

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communication Planning

• Design and implement an integrated internal communication strategy that supports business priorities, transformation agendas, and culture initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on communication planning, narrative framing, and change messaging.
• Curate leadership messages that inspire, engage, and connect employees to EXLs mission and goals.
• Translate complex business updates into clear, relevant, and motivating internal messaging.

PR and Employer Branding:

• Develop and execute PR strategies to enhance the company's brand image and reputation.
• Create and manage employer branding initiatives to attract and retain top talent.
• Plan and execute external events for the India geo to promote the company's brand and engage with key stakeholders.
• Ensure brand consistency across all communication channels and materials.
• Create compelling messages and content that align with the company's strategic goals and resonate with the target audience.

Campaign Management & Content Development

• Own the development of high-impact content (emails, intranet posts, videos, leadership blogs, newsletters, FAQs, town hall scripts, etc.).
• Craft tailored communication for key moments—business transformation, M&A, change programs, and leadership transitions.
• Ensure consistency of voice, tone, and brand across internal channels.

Employee Engagement & Experience

• Drive initiatives that foster employee understanding of vision, values, and goals.
• Partner with HR to support DE&I, recognition programs, and leadership visibility.
• Champion storytelling efforts to showcase employee success, innovation, and impact.

Creating and Managing Events:

• Develop and manage events that promote employee engagement and align with the company's strategic goals. This includes planning, organizing, and executing events such as town halls, workshops, and team-building activities.
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure events are well-coordinated and meet the needs of the organization and are well executed with external partners
• Monitor and evaluate the success of events, gathering feedback and making improvements for future events.

Channel Management & Innovation

• Optimize use of internal communication platforms (intranet, Teams/Slack, Viva engage, email newsletters, digital signage) based on audience profiles to improve communication reach and effectiveness.
• Innovate and introduce new tools/formats (video, podcasts, interactive town halls) to enhance engagement.
• Implement and manage internal social platforms to create interactive and engaging content.

Community creation and event management

• Plan and execute activities and events that foster a sense of community and align with the company's strategic goals.
• Plan and execute internal events that promote employee engagement and align with the company's strategic goals.
• Support businesses and functions on critical events and activities with content editing and experience creation.
• Monitor the performance of each activity, event, and content, and recommend improvements as required for enhanced reach and adoption of communication.

Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Define KPIs and feedback mechanisms to assess communication effectiveness (open rates, engagement scores, pulse surveys).
• Translate insights into actionable improvements in strategy and delivery.

1. Key Leadership Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to simplify, inspire, and engage.
• Strategic mindset with hands-on execution capability.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
• Strong storytelling, content creation, and narrative development skills.
• Experience managing executive communications and sensitive messaging.
• High degree of discretion, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to connect with people to identify scope for value creation and build strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Willingness to work in shifts to ensure effective collaboration with global teams.
• Open to travel within India locations

1. Qualifications

• 10 – 13 years of experience in internal or corporate communications in a global enterprise (B2B services or digital/tech experience preferred)
• Hands-on experience on managing events (internal and external), working with multiple stakeholders with an outcome-driven approach
• Proven experience working with C-level executives and driving organization-wide communications
• Proficiency in digital communication tools (SharePoint, Microsoft 365 suite, etc.).
• Experience of managing team and working with a project management approach
• Experience working with creative teams, video production, or internal branding.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field (Master’s preferred)