What does a typical day in the life of a Financial Communications Advisor look like?
The first thing I do when I start work is check on any overnight requests from clients, significant market-moving news, announcements of transactions, significant people moves, anything that I should know about or that requires immediate action. This is usually followed by a few internal or client calls, sometimes together with legal and financial advisors to discuss details of upcoming transactions, earnings announcements or other significant events.
Throughout the day I will receive calls from journalists trying to verify rumours, I will keep track of the news flow and check for any market commentary from analysts on companies too.
Importantly, I spend a lot of my days drafting communications materials and documents and sparring with colleagues and other advisors on the correct approach and messaging. Furthermore, I’ll reach out to journalists to gauge their interest in an interview with a particular client’s CEO and ensure that all the prep work is done before the interview takes place.
What three skills do you think are essential to fulfil your role?
- You have to be curious about business and capital markets
- You have to be analytical, notice trends, be able to digest financial / legal documentation for communications purposes
- You have to be able to think on your feet in advising clients, and switch easily between vastly different businesses from one minute to the next
What do you like best about working at Edelman?
The dynamics and the colleagues – there really never is a dull moment, but the colleagues make it manageable, fun and worthwhile!
What are some of the challenges you face in your day-to-day role?
Balancing client expectations – usually the requests aren’t quick fixes and have many (potentially legal) implications when they’re not done right, so you really have to devote time, triple check work and ensure your advice is correct.
Obviously, we don’t always control the news flow, so when a news outlet decides to publish a story, we need to deal with it ASAP. Flexibility is key.
Describe your working week using 3 emojis
👨💻📈😀
What’s been your most memorable moment at Edelman so far?
Any announcement day of a major transaction that we’ve been working on for (often, very long) weeks is a thrill – usually these transactions are significant news events so there is a lot of media attention. Obviously, travelling to different places for client or internal engagements is always a highlight too (when restrictions don’t apply!)
What’s your favourite part of a working day?
Whenever I’m able to show my expertise during client meetings or when we’ve had significant impact on the critical decisions that are being taken in a particular process.
How do you stay motivated?
Every announcement or milestone poses new challenges – especially in financial comms where you are dealing with business-critical events and aren’t always in control of what’s going to happen next.
What’s your top tip for working from home?
Walk and talk – I pace around my house when I’m on the phone and go outside when I can!
Did anything surprise you when you joined Edelman?
The willingness to work hard for clients and help each other get the job done well.
Finally, how do you see your career path developing in the future?
I really enjoy the advisory side of comms, so I see myself further developing myself in FinComms and becoming a recognised adviser for major business events and M&A transactions in particular.
