CGD Europe, an independent, non-partisan research organization, seeks a proactive, versatile and detail-oriented press secretary/communications manager, based in London.
The role
As press secretary, the person will play a central role in promoting CGD Europe and expanding CGD Europe reach and policy impact through engaging with news media and other public-facing organizations, including by leading communications and press strategies to highlight new research; building relationships with reporters; managing incoming press requests; and coordinating across the team and organization to make press and other outreach (ie, fellow think tanks or nonprofit organizations) a more integrated part of CGD Europe’s communications strategy. While the position will serve as the main point of contact for press reaching out for London-based experts, the press secretary will also serve as a connection between reporters and other CGD communications managers or press secretaries in both the London and Washington, DC office.
Through the position’s communications manager function, the successful candidate will also be the day-to-day CGD communications team lead and point of contact for the Education and UK/EU Development Policy teams, involved in strategic planning and promotion, blog editing, newsletter writing, and other special projects for those programs.
It is a requirement for this role that the successful candidate has, or obtains, the right to live and work in the UK. Individuals from diverse backgrounds and/or underrepresented groups interested in furthering their communications toolkit, with an interest or expertise in global development are especially encouraged to apply.
Key roles and responsibilities
Media Relations
- Serve as the primary press contact for CGD Europe.
- Develop proactive pitch strategies for Education and UK/EU dev policy teams, and reactive strategy for relevant newsworthy events, coordinating with CGD communications and reporters on behalf of researchers.
- Write press releases, op-ed pieces, pitches, and other materials to support the programs’ media relations efforts.
- Track journalists’ movement between beats and desks, and identify journalists to engage with and maintain contact lists.
- Quarterly media trainings, as well as other trainings as-needed, for research or policy staff
Press Strategy
- Manage press strategy for the Education and UK/EU Development Policy program teams, and be the main press point-person to create strategic communications plans to amplify the work of these policy teams, including leading the creation of specific press plans for roll outs of new research.
- Coordinate with the communications director, the Senior Manager for Digital Strategy, and the Senior Editor and
- Publications Manager, to ensure that media plans are strategically coordinated with web, publications, and newsletter strategy for all outputs.
- Be the primary point-person to represent CGD Europe press strategy goals when working in partnership with other organizations; and be the primary press liaison with special projects consultants
Analysis
- Track and log data for CGD mentions in news media
- Track performance of press clips, emails, and web data, and more, for programmatic teams.
- Provide quarterly updates to teams on media performance
- Send a weekly email to all staff on CGD Europe engagement with the press
- Identify and test new ways to boost media impact.
Writing and Editing
- Edit blogs and opinion pieces for the Education and UK/EU Development Policy teams.
- Occasionally provide edits or layout support to larger research products as necessary
- Assign basic media contact or web media clips responsibilities to the communications assistant.
Experience and skills
The successful candidate will have some combination of the following qualifications and skills:
- An undergraduate degree in a related field (global development, international relations, communications, journalism, etc.).
- Demonstrable track record of progressively senior communications or media relations experience – preferably in government, academia, nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations, or multilateral organizations – including pitching and communicating with journalists and setting up interviews, and creating and executing communications strategies.
- Translating dense or academic work into more digestible communications content and products.
- Knowledge of the UK, EU and/or global development landscape and key players, including media, and/or demonstrated interest in education, international development or foreign policy.
- Website content management systems (such as Drupal); familiarity with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, Pardot, or Cvent and Web coding (HTML/CSS) are also strong pluses.
- Experience with contact databases and CRMs (such as Salesforce).
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (particularly InDesign for publication layout).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as customer-service experience.
- Outstanding organization and time-management skills—ability to multi-task and prioritize workload with acute attention to detail.
- Experience effectively working within a large team and with international colleagues.