Global Director, Communications

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realisation that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from HR and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.

What we do

We are an independent conservation organisation, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT:

• Enable the WWF mission through driving a strong, inspiring, compelling and strategic communications approach to ensure and support conservation impact in line with the strategic priorities of WWF International.
• To drive strategic communications to the Network, Governing bodies, International Secretariat and leadership in support of WWF International strategic priorities.
• To drive the strategic alignment on articulating consistent external positions on emerging issues across the Network.
• To ensure a coherent ‘One WWF, One Voice’ by integrating and supporting the communications, media and brand functions across WWF International and supporting these services to the network (offices in over 90 countries).
• To engage targeted audiences across the globe to accelerate conservation impact, influence decision makers and to build the WWF brand.
• To facilitate and coordinate the development and alignment to a global communications strategy.
• To provide common technology platforms Network-wide to enable communication
• with key audiences.
• To provide a Centre of Excellence to the Network and convene the Communications Community in terms of communications practice.

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

• Provides vision and strategic direction to the communications activities of WWF International and the WWF Network to maximise conservation impact.
• Works with colleagues across the WWF Network and the Communications Community to ensure that WWF is strategic, influential, coherent, and compelling in its engagement of supporters, decision makers (government, corporate, institutions), media outlets and journalists, conservation partners, and other key audiences.
• Provides strategic leadership and drives issues management in collaboration with relevant colleagues across the organisation on behalf of the Network.
• Coordinates and drives strong internal communications across WWF International and the Network and provides leadership communications support to the Director General and other senior leaders.
• Works with teams on change management communications on major projects across the organisation.
• Works closely with the Global Policy Director and other members of the Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team to ensure strong aligned positions in support of global policy events (such as Global Biodiversity Framework, Climate Conference of the Parties, UN General Assembly etc).

3 Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drives the development and implementation of an inspiring, communications strategy in support of WWF International strategic priorities. This strategy should focus the WWF communications efforts in support of maximising conservation impact.
• Establishing strong strategic planning across the department and supporting WWF International through a communications business partner approach guided by the communications strategy to ensure the effective support of each Division in their communications needs.
• Leads on strong group communications (Network, WWF International and Secretariat, leadership and Director General communications and change management initiatives) to ensure effective and coordinated communications efforts that drive a united culture.
• Leads on stakeholder relations ensuring an effective Global Press office and ensuring critical issues management together with relevant teams (Compliance, Legal, Governance, Country Office Management etc)
• Leads on emerging issues which require a Network communications position working closely with select and relevant individuals across the Network including the Network Executive Team and International Board.
• Convenes the WWF Communications Community, to align and coordinate on global communications in support of Roadmap 2030, which leverages the unique strengths of WWF to set and achieve the Network’s ambitions for being an influential player globally among decision makers and strengthen brand recognition and affinity in key markets and audiences.
• Monitors the brand recognition globally, benchmarking with other selected organisations and makes recommendations for improvements as appropriate;
• Acts as a member of the Senior Leadership Team of WWF International and performs other ad-hoc duties as requested by the Chief Strategic Engagement Officer;
• Supervises all budget and staff responsible for WWF International’s Communications Department and provides regular progress reports to the Executive Team, Network Executive Team and the International Board and Network as required.

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications:

• Preferably an advanced degree in management, business administration, communications or media or a relevant field.
• At least 15 years professional experience in Communications leadership roles, with demonstrated success in managing cross-cultural teams in a complex international environment.
• Proven success in developing and executing innovative and highly leveraged communications strategies, including direct senior level experience in media, communications or branding.
• Proven editorial judgement and thorough knowledge of online and off-line international media markets.
• Experience in implementing media and influencing strategies that leverage the power of online/offline media and audience engagement.
• In depth experience in issues management.
• Knowledge and experience of the not-for-profit sector.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Proven ability to lead and deliver outcomes in a diverse environment without having direct oversight or control.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including the ability to build a team of highly motivated and well qualified staff, and to foster the integration of diverse, multi-disciplinary actors into focused initiatives addressing clear targets.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills, including a talent for crystallising key strategic options for discussion and decision.
• Excellent diplomatic and communication skills, including an ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of individuals (individual donors, business leaders, public figures, WWF staff), within a broad range of cultural environments.
• A strong team player capable of integrating diverse activities within an evolving environment; must be comfortable with change and leading change within an organisational framework.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in other languages that are widely used at an international level is a distinct advantage.
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

Director General, Chief Strategic Engagement Officer, Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team, Network Executive Team, International Board,; Communications Directors across the Network, Global Policy Director, Senior Director of Corporate Relations, Executive Director Global Resource Mobilisation, Senior Director Governance and Network Engagement and relevant Operations leaders, Country Office Management; Members of the Communications Community; Country CEOs and Leaders, other senior personnel.

External:

External partners: media, social, digital, research agencies, communications agencies, members of the media, key external stakeholders.

HOW TO APPLY

Only one single document can be uploaded through our platform. Upload your covering letter and CV as one file. We will not accept applications without CV and Covering Letter.

Deadline for applications: by 18 November 2024

Work permit restrictions may apply.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce. WWF promotes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In the administration of its employment policies and practices, WWF does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status, matriculation, political affiliation.