Lie Detectors Communications Manager

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXPIRED. WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION. 

Lie Detectors is looking for a highly effective and experienced Communications Manager to increase its visibility and impact.

Lie Detectors (https://lie-detectors.org) is an independent, journalist-led and award-winning news literacy project in Europe working to tackle disinformation and its corrosive effect on democracy. We do this by empowering young people and their teachers to sort fact from fiction online and understand how professional journalism works, and by advocating at international level for smart policies.

We are looking for a highly effective Communications Manager to develop our communications strategy as public and policy momentum gathers pace behind our work on this timely issue. We are a motivated and competent team currently active in Germany, Austria and Belgium, with operations due to begin in further countries in 2021. We have developed a cutting-edge virtual format in response to the ongoing pandemic and this will facilitate the geographic reach of work long-term. For a sense of our work see coverage in the Financial Times, BBC, Spiegel Online, German broadcaster ZDF, the European Business Summit as well as our Covid-adapted work.

As Communications Manager you will be a key member of the management team. You are a strategist who leads the process of shaping our communications strategy to increase visibility and impact in the policy arena. You are an experienced communications professional who is familiar with EU policy advocacy who can build and sustain strong relationships with media and ensure production and distribution of top-quality content via external reporting and commentary as well as on our website and social media channels. In addition to seeking visibility and impact at the EU and international level for Lie Detectors at key policymaking junctures, you will be responsible for supporting our country teams in achieving visibility and influence at a national level in countries of current and future operation at key moments.  You will, among other things:

  • Lead on communication strategy and planning including our website
  • Build our social media presence
  • Build relationships with national and international media
  • Ensure communications that drive policy impact, both in Europe and at country level
  • Advance our work through messaging, outreach, and the development of materials
  • Advise on shaping the advocacy agenda of the European Union and in countries where we are active
  • Support the ED in cultivating and sustaining funders for our work where relevant
  • Manage staff contributing to communications work and consultants where needed
  • There will be some travel to the country offices once the pandemic is over

This position and its responsibilities may eventually expand to include development and fundraising as well as some external representative responsibilities.

This position will suit a strategic thinker with a background in leading communications for advocacy-oriented organisations. You will have a proven flair for turning press attention into policy wins. You will have a strong knowledge of media and social media landscapes and strategies and have press connections across Europe.  You will have management experience and will enjoy being part of a small and expanding team.

You must have excellent verbal/written communication skills in English and be proficient in French and German.

Lie Detectors currently has its headquarters in Brussels and country offices in several EU capitals and this position will be based preferably in Brussels, London or Berlin. Given remote working has become more commonplace and we see an element of this continuing future, we are open to applications from candidates based outside Belgium (including outside the EU) as long as they have demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with the EU. A successful candidate will be required to spend regular periods of time at headquarters and on location once the pandemic is over.

Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter in English outlining how your past experience equips you for the role by midnight CET on 15 March 2021 to jobs@lie-detectors.org .

Please note we are working on our recruitment with external consultancy Local Knowledge. This consultancy may contact you in the context of this application.