Director of External Communications at Plan International

Key Responsibilities

• Provide global strategic leadership for the organisation’s external communications, ensuring integration and alignment among international teams to meet communications objectives effectively.
• Lead and develop two direct reports and their teams (totaling around 12 members), recruiting and nurturing high-performing talent while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with communications colleagues across Plan International’s entities, promoting best practices and collaboration to enhance overall communications quality and coherence.
• Drive ethical and powerful storytelling that reflects Plan International’s core values, including anti-racism and safeguarding, ensuring all content authentically represents our development and emergency response work.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of digital and social media campaigns that increase public awareness, engagement, and support for Plan International’s mission and strategic campaigns.
• Champion the organisation's brand strategy, ensuring a bold, consistent global presence that amplifies Plan International’s unique role as a protector of child and girls’ rights worldwide.
• Lead timely and effective communications responses to global events and emergencies, collaborating closely with regional hubs and country offices to maintain readiness and deliver impactful messaging during crises.
• Provide expert guidance on reputational risk management, acting as the primary contact for crisis communications, and advising senior leadership and stakeholders on navigating complex issues with transparency and integrity.
• Drive innovation by integrating emerging communication technologies, particularly those popular among youth, to keep Plan International at the forefront of digital engagement.
• Ensure the ongoing publication of high-quality reports and reviews, elevating Plan International’s thought leadership and research impact to diverse audiences through innovative platforms and media.

About You

• You bring senior experience leading communications in international, matrixed organisations, with a strong track record in strategic communications and brand positioning, media, digital, and campaign leadership and leading and developing diverse, global teams.
• You are a collaborative and values-driven leader, committed to ethical, inclusive, and power-aware storytelling.

Knowledge, skills and experience required; 

• Extensive experience leading communications teams within complex international environments, with a proven track record of success in brand management and strategic communications.
• Deep knowledge of international affairs, particularly issues affecting children and youth, and the ability to anticipate and respond to global trends that impact the sector.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire and develop diverse teams across multiple locations.
• Strong expertise in media relations, digital communications, and public relations strategies, including extensive experience working with international media outlets.
• Proven ability to lead and manage reputation and crisis communications, with experience advising senior executives and managing complex risk scenarios.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging and influencing a wide range of audiences including governments, donors, partners, and the public.
• Commitment to Plan International’s mission and values, with a personal dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding principles.
• Language skills: English is essential; proficiency in French or Spanish is highly desirable.