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 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.

About the role

As the Strategic Communications Lead on Buildings, you will be part of the ECF’s Strategic Communications Team, which is the outreach unit of the Foundation. The team acts as a centre of expertise on climate communications and seeks to help create more political, media and public endorsement for action on climate change at an international, European and sectoral level.

This role will support the ECF program on Buildings and its grantees with the development of strategic communications plans seeking to incentivize a wide range of actors – from policy makers to businesses to citizens – to embark on a transformational shift towards the transition to net-zero.

We are looking for a smart, dynamic and insightful person who can bring together a wide variety of partners around a common strategy aimed to shift the narrative around how the building sector can support the transition to carbon neutrality in Europe. The main focus on the work will be on residential heating.

You’ll need to be a self-starter, with a proven interest in climate and energy narratives and excellent understanding of how to place good stories to create political impact and you'll be working as part of a fast-paced, European team that operates in multiple media markets and multiple platforms. You'll need to understand buildings and heating policies related to energy and climate and the way it intersects with politics on national and international levels and use this intelligence in the service of communications.

Key responsibilities

• Developing compelling EU-wide climate communications strategies with a view to influence and shift public debates around how the building sector can support the transition to climate neutrality, at the EU level and in EU Member States;
• Developing and implementing effective communications plans and activities that advance narratives and promote climate action, targeting key audiences from the public and private sectors to influence the political and policy agenda;
• Collaborating with a wide spectrum of ECF grantees and external partners to turn strategy into workable campaigns around key moments, and delivering the materials, stories, voices and messaging to support this strategy;
• Accompanying the work of the ECF’s Buildings program to ensure a communications perspective is injected across all stages of strategic decision-making;
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key correspondents and editors in mainstream and specialist media for pro-active promotion of stories, outreach on emerging issues and reactive media management;
• 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;
• Making 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

• A genuine interest in the mission and values of the organization;
• At least 8 years’ experience in climate, economics or energy public relations, journalism or a related field, with proven track record of successful media relations and digital communications;
• A strong understanding of the processes and dynamics of EU policymaking;
• Detailed understanding of the media landscape and values, and experience of strategic story placement, messaging, etc.
• Strong experience of development and deployment of major communications initiatives involving multiple stakeholders;
• Far-reaching and active networks (media in European markets; energy/ buildings/climate community);
• Strong diplomatic skills and interpersonal relations, ability to quickly build trust with partners and colleagues;
• Outstanding English skills, with proven skills to produce engaging and impactful written materials;
• The ability to communicate effectively with minimum guidance;
• Gravitas sufficient to work directly with high profile individuals and partners from diverse backgrounds at all levels;
• Strong time and priority management, high level of independence and can-do mentality, good team-player with a passion for excellence;
• High levels of self-motivation, used to working at a high pace in remote settings, as part of international teams;
• A commitment to the values of the organization;
• A commitment to an inclusive and empowering approach to facing climate change.

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 full-time permanent employment contract.

Location

Brussels preferred or any other ECF location (Paris, London, Berlin and The Hague).

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please upload below (both in English)

• CV
• Cover letter

Please note 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.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.