Climate KIC is seeking a Director of Media Relations and Strategic Storytelling for a 12-month maternity cover role. You will lead our external communications focus, strengthening our earned media presence and translating programme results and impact data into clear, compelling narratives for public audiences.
What You'll Do
- Lead Climate KIC’s media relations strategy and proactively identify opportunities for media engagement.
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists covering climate, sustainability, EU policy, and innovation.
- Develop compelling media angles based on our programmes, partnerships, and strategic priorities.
- Pitch stories, commentary, and expert insights to priority outlets.
- Draft press releases, media briefings, and responses to media enquiries.
- Prepare senior leaders and subject matter experts for interviews and public commentary.
- Monitor media coverage and identify opportunities to strengthen external visibility.
- Identify strong narratives within programme activities, reports, and evaluation studies for external communications.
- Translate complex impact data, institutional assessments, and programme results into clear stories for public audiences.
- Support the development of thought leadership articles, opinion pieces, and longer-form storytelling.
- Provide editorial guidance and quality control across major communications outputs.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of key communications campaigns aligned with organisational priorities.
- Ensure campaign narratives translate programme work into compelling external stories.
- Coordinate messaging and content development across communications channels.
- Support communications that position Climate KIC as a leading voice in Systems-Thinking and Climate Innovation.
- Monitor external discourse in climate innovation and identify opportunities for Climate KIC to contribute its voice.
What We're Looking For
- Significant experience in communications, media relations, or strategic storytelling.
- Demonstrated success securing earned media coverage.
- Strong editorial and writing skills.
- Experience translating complex technical or policy material into accessible narratives.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Experience in climate, sustainability, innovation, or policy ecosystems.
Nice to Have
- Experience working in international or mission-driven organisations.
- Additional European languages.
Team & Environment
You will work closely with the Communications and Marketing Director and collaborate across programme teams, project communications colleagues, and senior leadership.
