Toa Payoh - VP / AVP, Integrated Communications, Group Strategic Marketing & Communications

Business Function

Group Strategic Marketing & Communications (GSMC) is responsible for building, protecting, and enhancing the DBS brand in an increasingly commoditised banking industry. Working closely with all units within the DBS Group, we create and execute integrated strategies that focus on communications, marketing and research to differentiate – and elevate – our brand from the rest of the competition.

• Enhance DBS’ reputation by driving strategic storytelling and thought leadership around financial planning, wealth management and social impact across our Consumer Banking and Wealth Management businesses, and the DBS Foundation.
• Provide strategic counsel on media communications to positively predispose our stakeholders (e.g. investors, customers, employees) to the bank.
• Develop and integrate communications plans across social, online and offline platforms
• Proactively manage reputational risks, mitigating potential media and social media issues
• Actively create and execute on digital communications strategies
• Generate and curate content for DBS/POSB digital platforms (Newsroom, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc)
• Extend PR support and to promote the use of digital platforms to senior management/DBS spokespersons
• Engage with digital communities
• Cultivate relationships and build rapport with key media including independent publishers, social media influencers, bloggers, etc
• Leverage analytics and social listening tools to measure effectiveness of campaigns and further strengthen engagement
• Support communications for special projects

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, business or a related field – candidates from all disciplines are welcome.
• Preferably with 8-10 years of experience in a communications or public relations role. Prior experience in journalism will be an added advantage.
• Exceptional writer, editor and communicator
• Digitally savvy with a keen pulse on emerging digital/online/general market trends
• Open-minded, adaptable and adventurous, yet anchored with professional integrity
• Creative problem solver who can think out-of-the-box
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability in delivering results
• Collaborative team player who can work across functions and levels, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with the media, as well as external and internal stakeholders
• Effective communicator who is able to present ideas persuasively and engage different audiences
• Agile and resilient, capable of adapting to changing priorities and thriving in a fast-paced environment
• Good working knowledge of banking and economics; familiarity with wealth management is a plus