Communications Officer

Forum for the Future is a non-profit organisation working globally with business and government to create a sustainable future. We aim to transform the critical systems that we all depend on, such as food, energy and finance, to make them fit for the challenges of the 21st century. We have nearly 20 years’ experience of inspiring new thinking, building creative partnerships, and developing practical innovations to change our world.

Where does this role sit within the organisation? 

This role ensures Forum has a dedicated in-house PR function. The role will be part of the dynamic Communications and Networks team. 

What will the PR Executive do? 

This role ensures Forum has a dedicated in-house Communications function. The post is responsible for extending and maintaining Forum’s international media network, managing media relationships and press opportunities, selling in Forum’s work to and beyond the immediate sustainability field, and generating compelling stories that grow the reputation of Forum and its work globally. This role also works with the Global Communications Manager to secure a coherent programme of targeted speaking opportunities at high-profile events for staff across Forum internationally. In addition the role will entail other communication functions as necessary, such as editing and proofreading content, and adding input and content to Forum’s digital channels.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a dynamic, creative individual with a proven track record of generating and selling in inspiring corporate sustainability and system change/innovation stories and features at a global level. 

You should understand our values and mission, and have demonstrable relevant experience in: 

• Understanding of, and commitment to, the values and mission of Forum for the Future.
• Dynamic, creative individual with a proven track record of generating and selling in inspiring corporate and change/innovation stories and features at a global level
• Significant PR experience, ideally gained in a fast-paced, integrated agency setting
• Highly experienced at pitching and selling in stories to a range of media outlets to achieve quality coverage, and reporting results in a meaningful and timely way
• Wide range of warm international media contacts, both in sustainability and other sectors relevant to Forum’s work eg. food, technology, consumer lifestyle
• Well-versed in the latest PR, social media and integrated communications trends and able to feed insights from best practice campaigns into Forum’s approach
• Proven ability to establish personal credibility with content experts, pick up new information quickly and translate complex data and ideas into mainstream language and story angles
• Excellent planning and time management/multi-tasking skills, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently with little supervision
• A team player with a positive learning attitude, who is able to work collaboratively with a wide range of colleagues and spokespeople with different working styles and skill sets
• Excellent writing and proofing skills; experience of delivering training in writing skills would be an advantage
• Advanced competence in IT, in particular in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Outlook);  some competency in contact databases ideal
• Highly experienced in editing a wide range of copy (including blogposts, long form reports, marketing materials), presented through eye-catching visual approaches
• Experience of communications project management, including print production and the creation of communications toolkits. Experience of managing external agencies and freelancers is an advantage
• Able to anticipate potential reputational risks, with some exposure to media crisis management situations
• Good experience with managing social media channels
• Membership of recognised industry body eg. CIPR would be an advantage.

Does this sound like you?

This is a permanent contract. 

Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 10 May 2016

Telephone interviews: Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 May 

Second interviews: Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May

Final interviews: Thursday 2 June

Application pack:

Job description
Application form
Equal opportunities form
Staff benefits
Annual Report

Please send your completed application pack by email to recruitment@forumforthefuture.org or by post to Sophie Kennedy, 19-23 Ironmonger Row, London EC1V 3QN. Your application should include a completed application form and an equal opportunities form. The equal opportunities form will be detached from your application and will not form part of the shortlisting or selection process.

Please note that due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all individually. Therefore if you have not heard from us by close of business on Monday 16 May 2016 we will not be taking your application further.