About the European Climate Foundation

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 1000 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 ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best, most innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

About the role

As the Strategic Communications Manager, you will be an integral part of the European Climate Foundation's (ECF) Strategic Communications Team. This team serves as a center of expertise on climate communications, aiming to foster greater political, media, and public support for climate action at international, European, and sectoral levels. Your primary focus will be on supporting the ECF transport program and its grantees. You will develop strategic communications plans and tactics to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, and citizens. Additionally, you may support other aspects of ECF's communications work as needed.

You will develop and implement strategic communications plans to advance the narrative on the decarbonisation of transport in Europe. This includes providing strategic advice, communications, and outreach services to ECF programmes and grantees, and building and nurturing strategic communications capacity within the broader climate community. Collaboration with partners to create unified strategies that shift the narrative on transport decarbonisation is essential. You will also curate and maintain a communications network with transport partners, selecting specialists to inspire and enhance the network. Utilising data and audience insights to inform communication strategies and support grant-making at both European and national levels will be a key part of your role. Additionally, you will identify and amplify new voices to reach key audiences across various channels.

We are looking for someone with a proven interest and experience in climate and transport narratives, who understands the power of narrative and can deliver projects that challenge established assumptions on transport decarbonisation. You should be a self-starter with the ability to work in a fast-paced, European team that operates across multiple media markets and platforms. A background in campaigning, journalism, or public affairs is preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to bring together a wide variety of partners around common strategies. Experience in using data and audience insights to shape communication strategies is also important.

You are smart, dynamic, and insightful, capable of driving impactful communications strategies. You possess a keen ability to bring together diverse partners and inspire collaborative efforts. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are comfortable working across different media markets. Most importantly, you are passionate about climate action and the decarbonisation of transport.

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply and join our mission to transform transport communications in Europe.

Reporting to the Strategic Communications Director, you will be responsible for:

· Tracking political, public and media debates around how the decarbonisation of transport can support the transition in Europe, as well as developing and implementing communications strategies and campaigns to influence and shift these debates

· Following and contributing to sector programme strategy and initiatives to ensure a communications perspective is injected across all stages of strategic decision-making.

· Working with a wide spectrum of internal and external partners to turn strategy into workable campaigns and develop effective communications plans for key moments.

· Developing and maintaining a diverse network of partners and contacts across sectors (academia, corporate, non-profit, politics, including spokespeople)

· Developing structures and approaches that can react quickly to emerging opportunities and changes in the external context

· Ensuring our grant-making enables full use of new and innovative methods of digital communications work to disseminate messages and raise awareness of ECF-supported initiatives and outputs;

· Working hand-in-hand with an international network of communications experts who seek to advance the momentum of the low carbon transition.

Experience and competencies

Essential:

· A genuine interest in, and commitment to, the mission and values of the organisation;

· At least 10 years’ experience in climate, transport, public affairs, journalism or a related field;

· Strong experience of development and deployment of major communications initiatives and European wide campaigns;

· Clear strategic understanding of the relationship between public opinion, campaigns/ communication and political change.

· Strong diplomatic skills and interpersonal relations, ability to quickly build trust with partners and colleagues;

· Confidence to work directly with high profile individuals and partners from diverse backgrounds at all levels;

· Experience working remotely and across national borders, supporting and guiding peers to deliver results for your projects;

· Positive, can-do attitude, and flexible, learning mindset.

· Fluent in written and spoken English, knowledge of other European languages welcome;

· A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change.

Desirable:

· Experience developing culture hacking ideas and implementing multi-country communications projects High levels of self-motivation, used to working at a high pace in remote settings, as part of international teams

· Detailed understanding of the media landscape and values, and experience of strategic story placement, messaging, etc;

· An understand of relevant topics, including electromobility, clean air, aviation

· An understanding of the processes and dynamics of EU policymaking;

· Project and budget management experience;

· Strong time and priority management, high level of independence and can-do mentality, good team-player with a passion for excellence;

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, small group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself;
• A 12 months contract (maternity leave)

Location

Brussels or/and Paris ( flexible to any other ECF office locations. Need to be eligible to work and live in these countries. You must have the relevant work permit for your location)

Start date

1 September 2024

How to apply

Please upload your CV and cover letter in a single PDF file.

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity and strives to be a Great Place to Work for All. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, regardless of any aspect that makes them unique (including race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, ...).

If you need any specific accommodation due to disability or any other reason, you can let the recruiter know during your application process.

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