Location: UK, with some travel involved
The Elders’ Director of Communications will play a central role in shaping the group’s influence in the world. This is a wide-ranging position spanning strategic communications, media (online and offline), political influencing, and executive leadership. We are looking for someone to own and shape our communications output as a whole, someone who knows the value of individual components as much as how they fit together.
The group of Elders works strategically, focusing on areas where they are uniquely placed to make a difference. This can mean engaging in private advocacy, using their influence to open doors to senior decision-makers; at other times, they work publicly to promote issues, call out abuses of power, and speak against injustice. It is important that our Director of Communications not only understands the Elders’ unique ways of working but has a keen grasp of how to work well with individuals as much as the collective, knowing where opportunities lie as much as risks – and how we as an organisation can best support them.
We have four programmes: the climate and nature crisis; pandemics; nuclear weapons; and conflict, all underpinned by multilateralism, human rights, gender equality, and intergenerational dialogue. While it is not essential to bring subject matter expertise, having some experience in and a demonstrable passion for at least one of these areas will help you hit the ground running.
Perhaps most importantly, we are looking for an inclusive, strategic leader with high emotional intelligence and keen political acumen who knows how to build an effective communications function that is both proactive and reactive, global in nature, and sensitive to the needs and idiosyncrasies of the Elders. We are looking for someone with spark, with ideas as to how we can maximise our influence through communications, who can play a key role in helping the Elders combat the biggest issues of the day.
We would value the following experience, attributes, and characteristics. Not all points are individually essential, though you’ll need at least the majority to succeed:
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering integrated communications strategies.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering high-impact international communications advocacy campaigns.
- A keen appreciation of the nuances, opportunities, and tension points of working with high-profile political figures.
- Experience at international level with a network of communications (e.g. press) contacts, and a variety of international media outlets around the world.
- Experience of crisis communications and reputational risk management, and advising on politically sensitive issues at senior levels.
- Demonstrable communications skills across online and offline media.
- Experience in at least one of the Elders’ programme areas or with a demonstrable approach reflecting our cross-cutting commitments would be advantageous. Similarly, a clear passion for our mission will be important to evidence.
- Excellent written and spoken English, with experience of quality controlling and coaching editing and proof-reading to a house style, to produce communications products of the highest standards.
- Experience in digital advocacy, including paid and earned strategies and using data to inform activity.
- Flexibility and an ability to work at pace under pressure, managing multiple –often conflicting – priorities.
- An ability to work in a small organisation with a large footprint, especially one with strong policy / programmatic content and communications output.
- A proficient partnerships builder and stakeholder manager.
- Experience working in a campaign-driven environment would be valuable.
- A clearly inclusive, emotionally intelligent, supportive approach to team and corporate leadership alike.