The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The Team
In June 2020, the foundation established a new Communications Division, led by the Chief Communications Officer in Seattle, to oversee the foundation’s global communications strategy. The division brings together internal and external communications to advance the foundation’s mission of a more equitable world.
The Global Communications team is responsible for shaping internal and external use of foundation voice to protect the foundation’s reputation and advance its priority advocacy and program objectives and ensure that employees are meaningfully connected to the foundation’s mission and community. The team is responsible for comprehensive voice planning for foundation leadership and key spokespeople as well as driving engagement with media.
The Europe, Middle East and East Asia (EMEEA) team is the “ambassadorial network” of the foundation operating out of offices in London and Berlin. In addition to the two offices, the team’s country representatives are embedded in the political capitals of each major government donor and based in country (London, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Stockholm, and Tokyo). As a team, we bring deep insights on the political landscape, media and public attitudes, and the foundation’s ability to influence decision making on our issues to the rest of the foundation. Through our network of representatives and advocacy partners in these capitals, we advocate on behalf of our program teams to relevant decision makers to build support for our programmatic objectives. Our currency is the strength of our relationships with decision makers, our credibility as an effective partner co-investing alongside our donors, the depth of our political analysis and intelligence, and the influence of our co-chairs. Our ultimate objective in EMEEA is to secure sustained and/or increased funding for the foundation’s key programmatic priorities as well as a supportive policy environment.
Application Deadline: 13/11/24
This role is a limited-term position for 15 months.
Your Role
The Senior Communications Officer - UK and EU (institutions) will develop and execute a communications strategy for the UK and Brussels with the overarching purpose of strengthening the reputation of the foundation and advancing the foundation’s advocacy goals in the region.
This is a captivating, stretching, and diverse role with no day being the same. It would suit someone who is experienced, full of innovative ideas and energy, and can work well with others to get things done. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving a set of communications outcomes including:
Stronger awareness among target audiences of key foundation policy positions.
Supportive enabling environment in the UK and across the EU institutions to encourage increased political commitment to international development, global health, and/or accountability for past commitments.
Strengthened communications partnership with government and other institutions.
Improvement in awareness of, trust in, and favorability towards the foundation.
Strengthened profile of foundation local leadership among target audiences.
This role will report to the Deputy Director (DD) for EMEEA Communications, who is also London-based. The role will work closely with the Senior Communications Officers in our other core donor countries, our Digital Content and Partnerships Lead, the Global Communications team, and other collaborators based in Seattle, as well as external partners and grantees.
The postholder will be based at the foundation’s London office, with semi-regular international travel, including to Seattle, where the foundation is headquartered.
What You'll Do
Develop an impactful communications strategy to strengthen the foundation’s reputation and advance key advocacy goals in the UK and Brussels.
Develop and launch the foundation’s new ‘brand’ campaign work in the UK – one of four pilot countries.
Implement these strategies, including managing day-to-day use of foundation research, voice, message development, story pitching, spokesperson outreach and briefing, and media handling.
Develop and implement market-specific tactical communications plans around leadership trips, EMMEA leadership, partnership announcements, and global achievement events.
Lead the foundation’s proactive and reactive response to the news cycle in market, ensuring all issues with implications for the foundation are closely supervised and that we work closely with appropriate colleagues to respond to risks as required.
Manage and build the portfolio of essential communications partnerships to encourage renewed political commitment to global health and development, and improve accountability for existing commitments.
Work with the foundation’s Insights team to improve the measurement of impact in the market.
Your Experience
A degree and a background in journalism, communications, public policy, or a related field is required.
Significant professional experience in public relations or related communications, including leading the execution of communication and campaign strategies.
Excellent experience working with full range of media, including print, broadcast, and digital in the UK and ideally Brussels.
Extensive experience in profile-raising and/or executive communications.
An in-depth understanding of how government media and communications departments work, and experience working with government institutions and with public/NGO institutions is desirable.
Additional attributes that will be critical to success in this role.
A). A demonstrable understanding of global and local politics, strong analytical mindset to understand and react to real-time data and insights, and excellent judgement.
B). Strong communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to influence and negotiate with individuals at all levels internally and externally.
C). Ability to assimilate and understand sometimes complex new subjects, including scientific, medical and development finance policy areas.
D). Ability to confidently represent the foundation when dealing with media, strong analytical skills, and sound media judgment.
E). Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under deadlines, with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple and competing demands and prioritize, remain flexible, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
F). Ability to effectively cultivate and manage relationships both with internal staff and foundation partners.
Other Attributes
▪ Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic, and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
▪ Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
****Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.****
Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
