Communications Manager

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Role summary

 ISEAL Alliance is seeking a dynamic and creative sustainability communications professional to join our small London-based team as Communications Manager, reporting to a Toronto-based Director of Development & Communications. ISEAL is the global membership association for sustainability standards that includes many of the leading eco-labelling and certification schemes in the world as its members, such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council, Forest Stewardship Council, Better Cotton Initiative, and others. Please find out more about us on our website www.isealalliance.org.

 Our communications team currently consists of two postions and is growing to three in the next year. The Communications Manager will provide leadership and support across the organisation in all areas of communications, with a core objective to communicate the impacts and business case for credible sustainability standards globally.

 We seek a strong communications generalist who demonstrates first and foremost exceptional writing and editing skills, as well as an eye for creative design and multimedia. Our ideal candidate will also have substantial experience managing social media, and web and online tools. It is important that all ISEAL team members have a passion for sustainable production and consumption, and we prefer candidates with experience in the sustainability sector and/or relevant non-profit organisations. Knowledge and understanding of sustainability standards or eco-labelling is highly desired.

 Responsibilities:

 Planning and Strategy

• Contribute to development of ISEAL communications strategy and lead appropriate elements

• Contribute to development of strategy to use range of media as means to reach audiences, deliver core messaging, and build ISEAL community

• Contribute to and implement strategy for audience development and expansion through effective use of existing channels (i.e. website, newsletters etc)

• Deliver relevant work plans and special projects as part of communications team

Supervision

• Supervise a range of communications consultants and suppliers that provide additional support and services, including graphic designers, printers, writers, PR professionals, translators, and local professionals in emerging markets (Brazil, India and China).

• Supervise a Communications Coordinator to be hired in mid-2015 (pending funding approval).

Production, Projects & Content

• Lead ISEAL content strategy and write a range of content pieces for ISEAL publications and communications vehicles. Occasionally ghost-write articles and speeches for ISEAL senior staff. Write commissioned articles on sustainability standards from external publications.

• Lead new ISEAL project to communicate the impacts and business case of sustainability standards to companies and business leaders, including the production of new content, communications products and campaigns related to delivering this evidence.

• Design, curate, produce and circulate monthly e-newsletters and publications.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the ISEAL website by supervising a third party agency, and provide leadership on web content under the direction of the Director of Development & Communications.

• Contribute to development of the communications three-year strategy to use range of media as means to reach audiences, deliver core ISEAL messages about sustainability standards, and build ISEAL online community

• Provide appropriate communications leadership and materials for ISEAL events (mainly the annual Global Sustainability Standards Conference) with particular focus on design and branding

• Lead the content curation, planning and marketing of the ISEAL public webinar series on a range of trends and topics in the sustainability standards sector.

• In liaison with Director of Development & Communications co-curate the programme content for the annual Global Sustainability Standards Conference

• Build audiences at major ISEAL events by identifying relevant channels to advertise and carry out targeted promotion using existing contacts (mailing lists, CRM etc) as well as capturing potential new audiences where appropriate

• With Director of Development & Communications and through a LinkedIn group, co-lead and animate the network of professionals in ISEAL members’ communications teams. Plan, build content for, and co-facilitate twice yearly meetings of the network.

• Lead the development of a new social media strategy at ISEAL in 2015.

Resources & Reporting

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with ISEAL staff and members, in particular with the network of communications professionals from ISEAL members

• Oversee maintenance of communications information resources and collateral, such as images, case studies, documents and templates.

• Ensure all ISEAL communications are consistent with style and language guidelines.

• Contribute to delivery of regular M&E reports on Communications activities to help measure effectiveness by creating relevant indicators.

• Monitor and evaluate relevant press and regularly feed appropriate stories about the standard systems movement. Share relevant stories amongst ISEAL staff and members.

• Monitor, record and report on presence of ISEAL and its members in online and printed press

Other

• Keep colleagues appraised of developments in the communications area and develop learning tools as appropriate

• Contribute to staff meetings, retreat and other internal meetings with appropriate contents, views and suggestions

• Fulfil requirements of internal staff management processes including performance reviews, supervisory meetings, work planning etc

• Commit to continuously increase knowledge of ISEAL work and the wider context of voluntary standards and sustainability issues

 

Essential Attributes / Skills /Knowledge

Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any relevant subject or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education and training. Substantial work experience in a role focused on communications, particularly sustainability or non-profit communications Experience working in the Corporate Social Responsibility, environmental, social or developmental sectors. Good level of knowledge and understanding of standard-setting and/or certification systems, which may have been gained via experience at relevant organizations including those from within the ISEAL community Significant experience in writing, editing and content production. Knowledge of and experience in working professionally with online tools and social media for communication, networking and teamwork. Excellent oral and written English and confidence in communicating with people from at different levels and from a variety of backgrounds. Familiarity with virtual meeting and presentation tools (eg Skype, gotomeeting) An engaging writing style and the ability to convey complex messages to a variety of audiences Editing and proofreading skills for a range of media (online and print), including the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and simply. Strong time/process management skills and ability to establish priorities and work to deadlines. Creative and on message, able to capture ideas and make them accessible to others Self-motivation and flexibility to deal with a range of tasks in a growing organisation

Additionally desirable

Experience of working with media outreach, PR, social media, graphic design (particularly Adobe InDesign), animation or other communications specialisations. Experience working with or managing content for Drupal based web sites or managing a web site development process or project. Experience working/interning/volunteering for an international organisation with staff members based in multiple locations. Comfortable with flexible autonomy and having a supervisor based in a remote location. Committed to contributing to positive social and environmental change.

Other Relevant Information:

Term: This is intended as a long term position with an initial contract of one year

Salary band: £38,000 – 46,000, depending on experience

Working Hours: Based on a full time equivalent of 37.5 hours per week. The ISEAL Alliance operates a Flexible Working Policy and is happy to consider applications for flexible working after the relevant qualification period has passed.

Status: Exceptional candiates from outside the UK/EEA area, who are not in possession of a valid visa, may be able to apply for a work permit through the Home Office’s points based system for this position.

Please note it is the candidate’s responsibility to ascertain their eligibility through this system at http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator. ISEAL may be able to provide some support to the preferred candidate once a job offer has been made.

Location: This position will be based in ISEAL’s London head office.

International Travel: The post holder may be required to undertake very occasional amounts of international travel including overnight stays.

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum (including office closure btw Christmas & New Year)

Equal Opportunities: The ISEAL Alliance strives to be an equal opportunities employer and commitment to this process is expected.

Ideal Start Date: ASAP

 How to Apply:

 

Interested candidates should submit a current CV and a statement explaining how they meet the selection criteria for the position to recruitment@isealalliance.org, quoting the job title “Comms manager”. Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the same e-mail address.

 

 The deadline for applications is 10 December 2014, noon (GMT). Initial informal telephone interviews will be carried out shortly after the deadline with shortlisted candidates and in person interviews at our London office are likely to take place w/c 5 January 2015.

 

 We regret that we will only be able to contact short-listed candidates.