Director of Media Relations and Strategic Storytelling (Maternity Cover)

Job Title:  Director of Media Relations and Strategic Storytelling (Maternity Cover)
Reports to/team: Communications and Marketing
Contract:   Fixed term for 12 months
Level: Advanced- Please refer to our Capability Framework 

Salary:  Competitive for Not-for-Profit Organisation  
Location: Remote-based in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, UK, Slovenia, Poland

ABOUT US  

Climate KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is a European based, Climate Innovation organisation working in 70+ countries globally. We understand that global temperature rise is exceeding 1.5C and this demands unprecedented change. It requires new social dynamics, ways of doing business, capital flows, policymaking, economic models, and new ways of living. That is why our mission is to leverage the power of systems innovation to transform whole places, industries and value chains by 2030, working across sectors to develop and scale ambitious programmes. Climate KIC’s strategy 2024-2030, Transformation, with Urgency, is available here.    

Climate KIC operates as a not-for-profit foundation working through public-private partnership, wielding both public and private funding. Established in 2010 and headquartered in Amsterdam, we orchestrate a community of more than 150 organisations including large corporations and SMEs, municipal and regional governments, universities and research institutes, as well as non-governmental organisations and civil society actors.     

Climate KIC leads the implementation of the European Union’s Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and the launch pilot of the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, both with the objective of catalysing rapid and deep transformation on a large scale, creating the precedent and economic transition conditions for demonstration, learning, capacity building, fast followership and investment. Achieving the EU Cities Mission will mean avoided scope 1 and 2 emissions alone of an estimated 0.7GT CO2e between now and 2040.    

Climate KIC has a Remote-First approach, where colleagues work remotely from home based in one of the countries where we have a branch or employing entity (and can work out of local offices or co-working seats, where they exist). We meet at our local offices to exchange and connect and use online collaboration tools to work with each other and with our community. On occasion, we meet in person as teams, and once per year as an organisation.    

As a mission-driven organisation dedicated to climate transformation, we consider the climate impact of our own actions, for example travel, catering, or IT equipment.   

ABOUT ROLE 

This role will lead Climate KIC’s media relations, strategic storytelling, and campaign communications during a 12-month maternity cover period. 

A central focus of the role is strengthening Climate KIC’s earned media presence and helping external audiences better understand the organisation’s role and impact. This includes translating programme results, impact data, and institutional insights into clear and credible narratives for media, partners, and public audiences. 

The role works closely with the Communications and Marketing Director and collaborates across programme teams, project communications colleagues, and senior leadership. 

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations and External Engagement 

• 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 Climate KIC’s 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 Climate KIC’s external visibility. 

Strategic Storytelling and Editorial Direction 

• Identify strong narratives within programme activities, reports, and evaluation studies, translating them into accessible 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. 
• Help strengthen public understanding of Climate KIC’s role, impact, and contribution to climate innovation. 

Campaign Communications 

• 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 the development of campaign materials including articles, multimedia content, and digital assets. 

Strategic Narrative and Positioning 

• Support communications that position Climate KIC as one of the world’s leading voices in Systems- Thinking and Climate Innovation.  
• Contribute to narrative framing around Climate KIC’s programmes, partnerships, and broader impact. 
• Monitor external discourse in climate innovation and identify opportunities for Climate KIC to contribute its voice. 

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking an experienced communications professional with strong capabilities in media relations, storytelling, and strategic communications. 

Essential 

• Significant experience in communications, media relations, or strategic storytelling roles 
• 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 

Desirable 

• Experience working in international or mission-driven organisations 
• Additional European languages 

Location  

Candidates must have the right to work in the location they’re applying for (I.e. not require visa sponsorship) prior to applying for the position. Ideally, the successful candidate will be based close to a Climate KIC office, but we support fully remote or hybrid forms of working and offer a high degree of flexibility.  

To ensure that we can respond to every single applicant, we will close the role once we receive a reasonable pool of candidates to assess.

At Climate KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning and growth.   

When recruiting, we look to achieve diversity in the candidate pool. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments that will foster success in potential colleagues from diverse backgrounds and life situations. And because our team has differing needs and personal circumstances, we offer a high degree of flexibility to accommodate working patterns. We’re happy to discuss your situation during the interview and see how best we can support you. Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you from applying!