Editorial and Communication Director Career

Our Client seeks an experienced communication professional to provide leadership and direction for the editorial and communication department.

This includes managing the editorial component of the publications, website and internet capabilities, media relations, public relations & marketing, and development and promotion of the Client’s products and brand.

The Communications Director will be responsible for shaping and transmitting key messages about The organisation and its projects (products), and expanding awareness of the organization through Virtual and traditional marketing vehicles.

Reporting directly to one of organisation’s Managing Directors, the Director will play the central role in spearheading new communications initiatives, enlisting other specialists and organisation staff to help.

His/her responsibilities will encompass high level strategy development as well as day‐to‐day management of communications activities.

Given the nature of the projects and the entrepreneurial environment of Client, the Communications Director is expected to be self‐starter who can bring a wide range of experience and talent, exercise good judgment, and deliver results.

There will be scope to create a communications team over time, bringing on board additional staff and the services of contracted specialists. At the same time, the Director should be prepared to play a hands‐on role in many aspects of CLIENT’s communications activities.

Responsibilities:

The Communications Director will be responsible for oversight and management of all aspects of
Editorial and Communications activities as follows:
• Editor in Chief: Manage the editorial component of all publications and write key features for the magazines especially Development News Magazine.
• Communication: Develop communications strategies and manage them for particular Campaigns.
• Branding: Manage, develop and execute a coherent branding plan for the magazine; and Oversee brand‐building activities (Wikipedia presence, organizational awards, media coverage). Maintain a consistent messaging and style; and serve as a "final check" over all major documents leaving the organization.
• Media Relations: Serve as the primary media contact at the organisation. Author all press releases and media advisories and oversee and coordinate the placement of op‐eds. Meet the press for interviews and commentary. Reach out to and develop working relationships with members of the press at national and regional media outlets, freelance journalists, bloggers, and other traditional and non‐traditional media outlets.
• Marketing & Public Relations: Oversee all communication between the organization and third parties; supervise email marketing campaigns and oversee the contacts database. Coordinate the production and distribution of organisation’s publications, including corporate and project materials; and develop organizational collateral including brochures, donor/partner packets, and press packets.
• Coverage Documentation: Monitor online and offline news media for coverage of the organisation. Maintain repository of speeches, articles and essays authored by organisation’s staff, and individuals closely associated with the organisation (affiliates and consultants).
• Information Technology Oversight: Oversee the management of the organisation website including news stories, project profiles, and publications. Ensure timely update and maintenance of the website and organizational database.
• Progress Reports: Produce monthly progress reports for senior management and Board meetings.
• Consultant Management: Select, engage and manage the work of all communications contractors and consultants.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree or greater in communications, marketing, journalism, or other relevant discipline
• 5+ years of press, media, or public policy communications experience, preferably working in a research institution, government, bilateral or multilateral development agency, consulting firm, NGO, or think tank
• Experience and/or demonstrated interest in global development, ideally with a focus on health, education and the social sectors
• Proven leadership experience in conceptualizing, planning, and executing communications activities.
• High level of organization and detail orientation
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Strong editing skills
• Experience developing and managing content for web sites. Knowledge of open source content management web systems
• Strong management and interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet deadlines with a high degree of quality
• Enthusiasm, energy, and composure under pressure

The organisation aims to hire and nurture talented, energetic people who are passionate about making a difference in the East African region, while capable of taking an analytic and pragmatic view toward development challenges. We seek people who fit well into our organizational model

Email: theleadrecruiter@gmail.com