Director, Strategic Communications at Luminate

ROLE 

Luminate is seeking a Director to advance the foundation’s organisational-level strategic communications and external affairs. This is a new and critical role for the development of the organisation as it will work to define and shape the reputation, narratives, and brand identity for the organisation in service of its long-term strategy.  

This role will work closely with the Senior Director, Global Strategic Communications to develop, execute, and oversee key aspects of communications and external affairs including: 

• Developing cross-cutting communications initiatives and campaigns in support of the organisation’s strategic priorities and our partners’ work. 
• Developing key organisational positions, messaging, and points of view. 
• Enhancing the organisation’s approach to issue management and crisis communications. 
• Evolving the organisation’s brand identity and digital communications. 
• Building out the processes, tools, and vendors required for the Strategic Communications function to operate effectively and efficiently. 

Successful candidates must be located in and have the right to work in either London, Nairobi, São Paulo or Washington, DC. Competitive salary and benefits are offered. 

TEAM 

The Director will be part of the global Strategic Communications team which is responsible for all internal and external communications for the organisation and its programmatic teams.  

This role would be based in one of our global hubs in London, Nairobi, São Paulo, or Washington, D.C. and reports to the Senior Director, Global Strategic Communications. The role will be responsible for the direct line management of the Associate, Strategic Communications.  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Organisational reputation and positioning 

• Work with the Senior Director to develop and execute the organisational-level strategic communications plan that supports the organisation’s long-term and annual strategy and priorities. 
• Lead on the development and execution of cross-cutting external communication initiatives including media relations, research, events, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement activities that build understanding of Luminate’s overarching vision, mission, values, and impact. 
• Create organisation-wide communications campaigns that connect and enhance the work of the programmatic teams, support our organisational priorities, and bring clarity, coherence, and consistency to our work and positioning. 
• Draft proactive and reactive organisation-wide talking points and key messages on the issues that are central to our work. 
• Complement and support the work of the communications managers working with the Africa, Asia, Global Programmes, Latin America, and Luminate Strategic Initiatives teams.  
• Build and maintain relationships with key media, stakeholders, and influencers. 
• Appoint and manage external agencies as required and oversee associated budgets. 

Brand strategy and management 

• Lead the development, execution, and evolution of the foundation's brand strategy to ensure consistent messaging and visual identity. 
• Develop organisational messaging, FAQs, positioning on key issues to ensure clear and coherent communication across the organisation. 
• Work closely with Associate, Strategic Communications to ensure brand identity, tone, messaging, and visual assets are consistent. Also ensuring brand guidelines are developed and (visual, tone of voice etc.) are maintained across all communication channels. 

Digital communications 

• Oversee and contribute to the development of the foundation's digital and owned communication channels to ensure consistent messaging and engagement. 
• Work with the Associate, Strategic Communications who manages the foundation’s digital channels (website, LinkedIn, newsletter) to ensure overarching organisational communications are delivered through these channels.  
• Explore new avenues through which our organisational positioning and stories can be communicated to key audiences. 

Issues management and crisis communications 

• Lead on developing and implementing effective issues management and crisis communication plans to address potential risks and challenges. 
• Oversee crisis and risk monitoring and analysis working closely with the Risk Management Team and other communications managers. 
• Provide additional support and act as a secondary point of contact during crisis situations supporting the Senior Director. Provide timely and accurate communication to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Coordinate with relevant teams to manage crisis-related messaging and ensure alignment with the foundation's values. 
• Own and keep updated the Crisis Communications Playbook and other resources and tools that the organisations can draw on. 
• Appoint and manage external consultants and agencies. 

Strategic communications processes and ways of working  

• Review and assess the current processes and ways of working across the strategic comms team with the aim of ensuring clear and efficient workflows.  
• Build out the processes, tools, and vendors required for the global Strategic Communications function to operate effectively and efficiently. 

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS 

Note: we view this section as a guide, not a checklist. We encourage you to apply even if you do not satisfy every single bullet on this list. 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Public Affairs, or a related field.  
• Extensive experience in strategic communications at a senior level, with a focus on global mission and issues led organisations. 
• Proven track record in developing and executing successful strategic communications and external affairs strategies. 
• Significant demonstrable experience in developing crisis communications and issues management strategies and leading responses to emerging risks. 
• Excellent working knowledge of best practices and trends in using digital media platforms for organisational brand building and communications. 
• Experience in working with communications agencies and other vendors. 
• Ideally an interest in and/or experience working on the issues at the heart of our work including democracy, human rights, digital rights, technology and platform accountability, and public interest journalism. 
• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to collaborate and influence at all levels. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese would be a helpful addition.