External Corporate Communications Specialist

ABOUT THE COMPANY Bharat Forge Limited, the flagship company of the Kalyani Group, is one of India's most admired and globally respected industrial conglomerates. Headquartered in Pune, the Kalyani Group spans diversified sectors including automotive components, aerospace & defence, energy, infrastructure, industrial solutions, and speciality chemicals — with a consolidated annual revenue exceeding USD 3 billion and operations across 16 countries. Bharat Forge is the world's largest manufacturer of forged components and a Tier-1 supplier to the world's foremost OEMs in automotive, oil & gas, rail, marine, and aerospace industries.

Driven by a bold vision of \"Technology for Transformation,\" the Group is committed to innovation, sustainability, and nation-building at scale. Joining the Kalyani Group means being part of a legacy of excellence, a culture of intellectual ambition, and a future defined by purpose. ABOUT THE ROLE This is a meaningful role at the heart of how one of India's most respected industrial conglomerates tells its story to the world.

As Senior Manager – External Communications, you will help build and strengthen the Group's reputation among media, industry bodies, and key stakeholders. You will support the development of consistent narratives, contribute to thought leadership initiatives, and ensure the Kalyani Group communicates clearly and credibly across the channels that matter. RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and execute a comprehensive external communications strategy aligned with the Group's business vision, brand identity, and stakeholder expectations.

Own and manage all earned media relationships — national, international, business, trade, and digital — to achieve consistent, high-quality coverage across print, broadcast, and online channels. Serve as the primary point of contact for media enquiries; manage reactive communications and crisis communications with speed, accuracy, and composure. Create and refine key messaging frameworks, press releases, media pitches, backgrounders, Q&As, speaking notes, and messaging support for the leadership team and other spokespeople.

Build and sustain the Group's thought leadership profile through placements, bylines, white papers, editorial features, and conference/panel representations. Lead the planning and execution of press conferences, media briefings, product/technology launches, and investor-facing communication events. Partner closely with Investor Relations, Legal, Government Affairs, and Business Unit communications teams to ensure aligned, accurate, and compliant external messaging.

Track, analyse, and report on media coverage, sentiment, and share of voice; leverage insights to continuously improve strategy. Manage external PR agencies, content partners, and media monitoring vendors — setting clear KPIs, managing budgets, and ensuring delivery. Monitor competitive communications landscape and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen the Group's positioning.

QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, English, or a related field. MBA / Post-Graduate Diploma in Communications, PR, or Marketing is strongly preferred. 12–16 years of progressive experience in corporate communications, public relations, or journalism, with at least 5 years in a senior corporate communications role. Demonstrated track record of managing media relations for a large, publicly listed company or a national/global PR firm handling marquee clients.

Prior experience supporting leadership team communications and managing media events. Strong existing relationships with senior journalists, editors, and correspondents across India's leading business and national media outlets. Familiarity with investor-facing communications and regulatory disclosure norms is an advantage.

REQUIRED SKILLS Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Hindi or other Indian language is a plus. Expertise in media monitoring and analytics tools (Meltwater, Cision, Talkwalker, or equivalent). Strong command of message architecture, narrative development, and corporate storytelling.

Working knowledge of digital/social media as it intersects with earned media. Familiarity with crisis communication frameworks and spokesperson training methodologies. Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.