About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) was founded in 2008 as a major philanthropic initiative to help tackle climate change by fostering the development of a low-carbon society at the national, European and global level.

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

The ECF is brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best 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

As towns, cities and countries around the world declare climate emergencies, seas rise, forests burn, glaciers melt, increasing numbers of people take to the streets demanding urgent action and our societies begin to wake up to what the science has been saying for many years, there has never been a more important time to be working on climate change.

About the role

As the Strategic Communications Lead on Industry, 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.

The team delivers strategic advice, communications and outreach services to ECF programs and grantees and helps build strategic communications capacity in the wider climate community. This role will support the ECF Industry & Innovation programme and its grantees with the development of strategic communications plans and tactics seeking to reach a wide range of actors. The programme’s work centers around enabling a Green Deal for a climate-neutral, innovative and competitive European industry. Key topics covered include EU Industrial strategy, the reform of the European Emissions Trading System/CBAM, circular economy policy files, the development of hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) infrastructures. This role will also include line managing two communication professionals.

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 heavy industries can support the transition in Europe to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy. You'll need to be a great communicator and manager with excellent understanding of how to place good stories to create political impact.

You’ll need to be a self-starter, with a proven interest in climate and energy narratives and some understanding of how financial systems work. You'll be working as part of a fast-paced, European team that operates in multiple media markets and multiple platforms.

This role would suit someone with a background as a journalist and/or public affairs. If you think this sounds like you, please apply!

Key responsibilities

Reporting to the Strategic Communications Manager, Europe, the Strategic Communications Lead –Industry, will be responsible for:

• Tracking political, public and media debates around how heavy industries can support the transition in Europe to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy, spotting opportunities;

• Developing and implementing communications strategies to influence and shift these debates;

• Accompanying the work of the ECF’s programmes 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 around report releases and political 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;

• 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;

• Making full use of new and innovative methods of digital communications work to disseminate messages and raise awareness of ECF-supported initiatives and outputs;

• Line managing two communication professionals;

• 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, energy, public relations, journalism or a related field;

• 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;

• Far-reaching and active networks (media in European markets; energy/climate community);

• Good team management experience;

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

• 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;

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

• 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, 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 full-time position (subject to location, negotiable.

Location

Brussels preferred, or Paris or Berlin preferred.

You must have the relevant work permit for your location.

Start date

As soon as possible

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter (both maximum 2 pages).

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 disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds to apply.