Associate Director, External Communications

Requisition ID 33514 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division Communications Department Contract Type Regular Contract Length Posting End Date 31/05/2023

Here’s your chance to help lead external communications for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London and across three continents.

It’s an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join a multilateral development bank, which is at the centre of the international community’s support for Ukraine, a recognised climate finance leader and an innovator in many other fields as well.

Purpose of Job

The Communications Department is responsible for leading all aspects of corporate communications, advancing the Bank’s vision and goals through various channels amongst external and internal audiences. The department should also protect the reputation and integrity of the organisation, as well as safeguard the EBRD brand.

The Associate Director, External Communications, is a senior position, with a very high-profile role managing relationships with international and national media representatives, and interacting extensively with members of ExCom and Managing Directors. They also oversee the Bank’s digital channels – ebrd.com and our social media platforms. As such, they are required to make sensitive decisions often under extreme pressure, knowing that how the Bank will be perceived externally will depend on their response. As a speech-writer for the President, they are also required to maintain close contact with the President’s Office, and interact frequently with the President (including advising her on social media strategy).

There is also a significant change-management dimension to the role. They will have responsibility for shaping a cross-departmental team; while supervising budgets and expenditure. They play a significant role in developing and implementing the strategy for the Communications Department.

This is a role for a highly-credible and trusted leader, with extensive managerial experience at high levels in communications and/or journalism. They need to be able to build and maintain networks both internally and externally. Senior Bank colleagues will expect them to be a trusted advisor, able to understand how events can play out and capable of handling crises when they happen.

We use a wide range of channels to reach target audiences, and the post holder must be familiar with working across traditional print and broadcast media and digital platforms, including social media. This should also include a sophisticated understanding of how to set objectives and assess the impact of our work. They will be expected to work closely with an expanded planning team, ensuring there are clear goals and expected outcomes from the projects they are involved in.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Lead the production of high quality editorial content of text and visual material, across multiple channels, in order to meet EBRD standards and promote the positive image of the Bank and maximise impact among our target audiences.
• Lead crisis communications as and when needed, ensuring the Bank’s reputation and integrity are protected.
• Lead and manage a team to ensure effective work allocation and delivery, as well as recruit, mentor and develop staff to ensure the skills are available to deliver the Bank’s mandate. Ensures skill levels rise, and staff have greater capability for digital publishing techniques.
• Deputise for the Director, Communications, External Engagement & Planning the Director, Communications, Daily Engagement and Operations, as well as the Managing Director of Communications where appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of and then implement the Bank’s overall Communications Strategic Plan.
• Set clear objectives within the areas of responsibility, and oversee the measurement and evaluation of outcomes for this work.
• Provide direction on design, user experience, information architecture and functionality of the EBRD’s online and other digital products.
• Drafts speeches for the President, often for very high-profile events such as the Annual Meeting.
• Advises senior executives on media appearances – overseeing written briefings and providing advice on dealing with interviews and presenting the Bank’s position.
• Work in close collaboration with other teams within the department, aiming to break down barriers and increase effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain a strong range of internal EBRD contacts in order to have the access to key EBRD information necessary to deal with media messages and inquiries.
• Develop external contacts in the media, as well as wider communications world, in order to be able to deliver the Bank’s messages as widely as possible.
• Oversee Bank wide guidelines on use of digital and social media platforms, ensuring they are up to date and available on the Bank’s Intranet.
• Liaise with and advise Bank departments on best practices, help them to achieve their communications goals and ensure that their plans are consistent with the wider strategy.
• Contribute to the activities of the senior communications management team to ensure departmental goals are achieved.
• Oversee and often take budget responsibility.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of staff including recruitment, compensation (as agreed with the Head of Department, if applicable), performance management, coaching and development.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical. conduct are exhibited at all times.

  Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant discipline or equivalent work experience at a high level.

    Experience

    • A very strong track record and extensive experience in communications and journalism at a senior level.
    • A deep understanding of the range of channels and platforms we use.
    • A deep understanding of the Bank’s regions and thorough knowledge of the media, communications and/or research industry. Must include well-developed knowledge of traditional and digital media.
    • Significant level of management experience, leading focussed on high-performing teams.
    • Crisis management – overseeing communications strategies and acting as a calm, authoritative figure at times of great stress.
    • The post-holder must have outstanding writing skills and range – able to produce anything from a social media post to the President’s most high-profile speeches.

      Technical skills

      • Excellent communications skills both written and oral.
      • Strong knowledge of relevant languages.
      • Very strong organisational skills.
      • Strong leadership and team building skills.
      • The ability to tell the story of the Bank and its projects via various media.
      • The ability to work independently.
      • Good analytical ability and judgement.
      • Ability to engage with developing media trends.
      • Ability to persuade both internally and externally.
      • Excellent negotiating skills.

        What is it like to work at the EBRD?

        Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

        The EBRD environment provides you with:

        • Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
        • A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
        • An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

          Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.