Media and Communications Senior Manager

The Climate Change Committee is seeking a Senior Manager for Media and Communications in the UK. This role involves leading media relations, managing stakeholder relationships, advising on messaging, and developing communication plans for key projects. The successful candidate will have experience in press office roles and managing communications strategies. The position requires close collaboration with senior management and involves overseeing social media and crisis communication planning.
The organisation:

Ellwood Atfield has partnered with The Climate Change Committee, the independent expert statutory adviser to Parliament and the UK Government on climate change policy, to recruit for a new G7 Media and Communications Senior Manager.

The committee is a high-profile, high-impact body in the analysis of climate change mitigation and adaption, with a distinguished membership of leading experts across climate change, science, engineering, and economics. It was created as part of the long-term legal framework set in the Climate Change Act (2008), which sets out the UK's long-term target of net-zero by 2050 among other requirements, such as five-year caps on emissions being on track, and that the UK assesses and responds to the risks posed by climate change.

The opportunity:

The CCC is hiring a Media and Communications professional at Senior Manager level. This is an exciting new role in the organisation, designed to reflect the increased importance of media and communications work. This role will be responsible for leading their media and corporate communications day to day work, reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement. The role will work closely with that role and with senior management, as well as the Committees. The role will line manage the Design and Communications Officer.

Main responsibilities:
• Be the lead contact for media for the Climate Change Committee (CCC). Manage incoming enquiries in a timely and informed manner.
• Build and manage relationships with stakeholders across the media spectrum to ensure regular, accurate coverage of the CCC’s work. Undertake an ambitious media outreach approach with organisations and outlets across the political spectrum and in a range of disciplines.
• Provide media handling advice to staff and Committee members and advise on messaging (particularly around the launch of key reports).
• Monitor coverage of the Climate Change Committee and ensure the organisation is appropriately informed about our media exposure.
• Participate in crisis communication planning.
• Ensure the Committee and Secretariat are fully briefed ahead of high-profile events such as reports. Hold briefing sessions and provide appropriate materials.
• Position the organisation through op-eds and thought leadership work. Use the opportunity to grow their social media presence.
• Spread the messages and positions of the CCC to a broad audience through the appropriate platforms.
• Develop and implement communications plans for many of the CCC’s key projects (e.g. report launches, handling plans for Government announcements). Communicate these plans with staff and Committee members.
• Manage their organisational social media channels. This includes regular posting, building out our audience, and future planning. Support Committee members and the secretariat on social media content drafting and best practice use.
• Lead on communications monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to Committee members and staff.
• Manage key relationships with suppliers (media and parliamentary monitoring).

Experience required:
• Previous experience in a similar role, particularly working in a busy press office, and on broader communications disciplines
• Previous experience in developing and managing communications plans for big moments (eg. report launches)
• Ideally, knowledge and experience working in the climate, energy, or environmental spaces
• Proven track record of building relationships with key journalists and media figures
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Excellent benefits:
• Salary: £59,782 to £66,512
• Generous civil service pension scheme
• Learning and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to Civil Service Learning Courses
• Flexible working options including compressed hours
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A range of wellbeing support services made available through the CCC

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your CV via the Ellwood Atfield website. We also request a cover letter, max. 1-2 pages in length as a statement of interest in the role. This should include your suitability and motivations for applying.

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Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.