Managing Director, Strategic Communications

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) was established in 2008 as a major philanthropic initiative to help Europe foster the development of a low-carbon society and play an even stronger international leadership role to mitigate climate change. The foundation works through several sectoral, cross-cutting and regional initiatives and collaborates with a wide network of partners to advance progress towards this shared goal.

The ECF team is a highly dynamic group of individuals, combining ambition and passion with a rigorous, results-oriented and analytic approach to the work. The ECF’s culture is one of intensity, enthusiasm and mutual support.

Context of the role

As Managing Director, you will be part of the Strategic Communications team and report to the Executive Director, Strategic Communications.

The ECF’s strategic communications team is the outreach unit of the foundation. Its role is to act as a centre of expertise for communication on climate change and to play an active role in helping create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, national and sectoral level.

Working as part of an international team of expert political communicators, the successful candidate will lead and develop the team, including delivering strategic insight and guidance, coordinating and managing a Management Team, and helping facilitate the strategic communication team’s ability to move nimbly, strategically and in line with organisational values.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior management professional with a solid understanding of strategic communications, a sincere interest in climate and energy issues and the ambition to make a difference and play an active role in helping speed up climate action.

Key responsibilities

As Managing Director, Strategic Communications you will be responsible for:

• Planning, implementing and leading the functions and operation of an international management team (MT), including line-management of individual members.
• Organising the production of the work of the MT and required resources (e.g. funding, staffing, training).
• Organising and chairing MT meetings including weekly calls and quarterly meetings.
• Collaborating closely with ED and MT on building and leveraging team structures, processes and culture to drive impact, efficiency and nimbleness.
• Embodying and upholding organisational values and principles and facilitating the creation of a strong team culture.
• Representing internally and externally at events, meetings etc., including relationship building, strategy development and fundraising efforts.

Experience and competencies

• 10+ years of management experience within a transnational organisation or network.
• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation.
• A solid understanding of strategic communications with experience in an agency, CSO or other relevant setting.
• Leadership skills and proven track record in senior management and people development.
• A strategic thinker with sound judgement and proven ability in evaluating and decision making.
• Vision, confidence and service orientation, as well as a proven ability to bring others along on collective strategies.
• An independent self-starter able to work on his/her own as well as managing a remote team.
• Intercultural experience and gravitas sufficient to work directly with high profile individuals and partners from diverse backgrounds at all levels.
• Strong networking skills, insights in community building and experience with culture development.
• Experience with fundraising and budget management.
• Excellent command of the English language (both spoken and written), other languages a plus.
• Familiarity with the topic of climate change and/or philanthropy an advantage.

What we can offer you

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with ambition and a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work.
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself.
• A full-time position, with a permanent contract, subject to location.

Location

Negotiable with frequent international travel. Co-location with colleagues depends on location.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter in English to the following email address:

Apply-StratcommsManagingDirector@Europeanclimate.org

Please, indicate ‘Managing Director, Strategic Communications’ in the subject line. Telephone calls will not be forwarded to the recruitment team. Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.