Job Title: Public Relations (PR) Lead Reporting To: Head of Marketing & Digital Location: Mumbai Experience: Minimum 12 years About HDFC Mutual Fund: As one of India’s leading mutual fund houses, HDFC Mutual Fund is committed to helping investors build wealth through disciplined and transparent investment solutions. We are now looking for an experienced and dynamic PR professional to lead and strengthen our public presence. Role Overview: We are seeking a seasoned PR professional to be the evangelist of our brand, responsible for managing all media relations. This role requires a strategic thinker with a flair for storytelling, superb network and relationships with top business editors and media houses, event presence, and a deep understanding of brand positioning in the financial services space. The PR Lead is responsible for developing and executing the company’s comprehensive public relations strategy to enhance and protect the organization’s reputation. The PR Head will play a crucial role in shaping the company’s public image, growing the brand’s reputation in traditional and digital press via industry-shaping narratives, managing crisis communication end ensuring consistent and effective messaging across all platforms to support the company’s business objectives and growth. Key Responsibilities: • Strategic PR Strategy: Develop long-term PR strategies to strengthen leadership perception nationally and globally, focus on enhancing the AMC’s brand as an innovator and responsible market leader and align PR initiatives with corporate governance, ESG, and sustainability goals. • Media Relations: Liaise with media professionals for press coverage, event planning, and ongoing engagement. • Social Media Strategy: Ensure consistent communication of the PR narrative on social media channels. • Query Handling: Respond to media queries and external communication requests in a timely, accurate, and brand-consistent manner. • Crisis and Reputation Management: Proactively manage reputation risks and mitigate large scale crises by developing advanced risk assessment frameworks for reputational threats and collaborate with the internal Risk team. Prepare and execute crisis protocols with minimal brand impact. Work with the C Suite and offer guidance (including media training) to handle external communication. • Event Coordination: Work closely with the marketing and events teams for media coverage and outreach at brand events. • Communication Excellence: Deliver compelling narratives that connect with various audiences, while upholding regulatory and brand guidelines. • Advanced Metrics & Analytics: Measure the impact of PR efforts at a granular and strategic level by developing advanced analytics dashboards to monitor brand sentiment and PR ROI. Leverage AI-based tools to track media performance and predict PR outcomes. Required Skills & Experience: • Minimum 12 years of experience in Public Relations / Corporate Communications, preferably in BFSI or a regulated industry. • Strong relationships with media professionals and proven media management experience. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Presence and poise to represent the brand in external forums and interviews. • Hands-on experience in managing corporate social media handles. • Reasonable understanding of financial products, particularly mutual funds, is essential. • Strategic mindset with attention to detail and a high degree of accountability. Qualification & Experience (Elevated Criteria): Educational Qualification • Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, or Marketing from a Tier-1 institute (preferred). • Specialized training in global PR strategies or crisis management. Work Experience • 12+ years of experience in leading PR functions, with significant exposure to financial services. • Experience managing PR for a market-leading or Fortune 500 company preferred. Certifications (Preferred) • Certification in Reputation Management or Global PR Strategy.