Strategic Communications Manager, Madrid

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle climate change by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 350 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

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.

Position

About the role

ECF is currently accepting applications for an experienced communications specialist to perform the role of Strategic Communications Senior Manager in Spain. Working closely with the programme’s portfolio of grantees and strategic partners, the successful candidate will navigate the complex political environment to help speed up the net-zero transition in Spain and at the European level.

The role offers a unique opportunity for a highly driven individual with a sincere interest in Spanish politics and climate issues to work with a talented team and play an active role in delivering the transition and help avoid the worst impacts of global climate change.

Collaborating with the ECF Spain programme staff, the Strategic Communications Manager will deliver strategy advice, communications and outreach support to the ECF partners and work as part of a global network of communications experts to enhance the public debate on climate change and its solutions. The work will involve maintaining trusted relationships with key journalists and stakeholders in Spain.

This role would suit someone with a background in communications, campaigning, journalism or public affairs.

Key responsibilities

The Strategic Communications Manager, Spain, will be responsible for:

• Developing a climate communications strategy for Spain covering key institutions and sectors, with a particular focus on political developments and regional challenges;

• Collaborating with the ECF’s portfolio of grantees and strategic partners to deliver the materials, stories, voices and messaging to support this strategy;

• Identifying and planning communications campaigns and activities that advance narratives and promote climate action, targeting key audiences and leveraging influential voices and constitutencies;

• Collaborating with the ECF programme staff to ensure strategic communications is incorporated into the ECF Spain program’s strategy and grant-making work;

• Acting as a source of expertise on political communications to the Spanish climate community and ensuring ECF priority projects are effectively communicated to target audiences in Spain;

• Working hand-in hand with an international network of communications experts who seek to advance the momentum of the net-zero emission transition (and with the network’s Spain lead in particular);

• Maintaining trusted relationships with key correspondents and editors across mainstream and specialist media in Spain and working proactively with media contacts to shape the reporting around ECF priority issues;

• Developing audience knowledge and elaborating digital communications strategies to best address key segments of the populations;

• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on strategic communications work.

Requirements

Experience and competencies

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organisation;

• 8+ years of professional strategic communications experience, including some experience in campaigning or public affairs;

• A brilliant strategist with strong understanding of the processes and dynamics of Spanish and international policymaking;

• A proven ability to independently develop and implement robust communications plans;

• Experience of developing and deploying communications initiatives tailored for specific voices, channels and audiences;

• Strong diplomatic and networking skills that enable effective collaboration with a diverse group of partners;

• Strong vision, confidence and a proven ability to bring others along on collective strategies;

• Gravitas sufficient to work directly with high profile individuals and partners from diverse backgrounds at all levels;

• Proven skills to produce engaging and impactful communications materials for the Spanish media and social media market;

• Existing relationships with Spanish journalists or demonstrating the ability to build these swiftly;

• Effective monitoring and reporting skills as well as some project management;

• Excellent command of the Spanish language (both spoken and written), as well as fluency in English;

• A team player and a natural collaborator with high levels of self-motivation, strong time and priority management and a passion for excellence, used to working flexibly at fast pace in remote settings across time-zones;

• The disposition to work with colleagues in a high-trust community of peers, and a commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach and a spirit of generosity and mutual support.

Other information

What we offer

• 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 permanent employment contract.

  Location

  Madrid, Spain.

Start date

As soon as possible.

How to apply

Please upload your CV and cover letter (both in English!).

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