Job openings/Global Communications Manager

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Manager, Global Communications

Reports to

Head of Communications

Job purpose

The global communications manager leads key communications initiatives of the Foundation that focus on increasing the growth and impact of our mission work, particularly alongside the Foundation’s network of global chapters.

Job summary

The global communications manager will play a central role in building and managing communications efforts around Foundation’s growing, global presence, both supporting the independent growth and expansion efforts of the Foundation, and also providing communications leadership to the growing number of global Wikimedia chapters, particularly those in the priority geographic regions. The manager will also lead communications efforts with high-profile corporate and NGO partners who seek to support the Foundation’s global expansion efforts, particularly in the growth of off-line, mobile, and free content sharing agreements.

The global communications manager will independently lead projects for key internal clients and develop a strong knowledge base for the Foundation’s efforts in global communications.

The manager will be a go-to resource for staff and global volunteers in supporting cross-cultural communications, particularly in the area of writing for a global audience.

The manager will also take on a general communications support role under the direction of the head of communications, advising and assisting internal Foundation sections to provide a broad range of communications support, including preparing first drafts of written products (press releases, issues briefs, Q&As, public reports etc), advising Foundation staff and volunteers, responding to media and public inquiries, and coordinating communications activities with Foundation partners.

The global communications manager also supports budget planning and overall strategic planning for Foundation communications. The manager will also oversee the communications intern program at the Foundation, recruiting and managing a team of up to two communications interns at all times.

Duties may include:

• Conceptualize and lead communications strategies to increase the Foundation’s traditional and social media presence in priority geographies, while simultaneously leading, training and empowering local communications contacts.
• Collaborate with global NGO and corporate partners on major communications initiatives to support the global expansion of the Wikimedia projects.
• Media relations and communications training for global volunteers and leaders, as well as partners and Wikimedia staff and Board leadership.
• Regular interaction with a multinational community of online volunteers.
• Managing high-profile media events and visits with Board members, senior staff, Founder around the world, particularly in priority geographies.
• Creation of a global communications knowledge base, alongside global volunteers and communications leaders from private, NGO, and public sectors.
• Supporting ongoing, mission-focused partnerships with the Foundation’s global network of chapters.
• Professional communications counsel to Foundation staff and partners engaged in new geographies.
• Media relations and issues management, particularly in support of chapter and volunteer contacts.
• Reporting and tracking success of global communications efforts.
• Leading relationships with pro-bono, global communications agencies and experts.
• Acting for the head of communications when necessary, including lead spokesperson duties.
• Other general communications efforts for the Foundation as needed.

Required qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in mass communications or marketing (or a combination of relevant career experience and education);
• Five plus years experience in a communications, marketing, or public relations role, preferably with a highly visible non-profit, on-line, media or technology organization;
• Experience developing and leading multi-national communications strategies.
• Experience working in open and transparent online communities, specifically in the leadership of complex, multinational and multicultural initiatives.
• Ability to work with little or no supervision, and to independently conceive and lead projects as necessary.
• Experience leading and supporting large volunteer networks;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills;
• Understanding of the free culture and open source movement;
• Proven skills with a wide variety of communications tools: for example, mailing lists, IRC, instant messaging, social media, blogs, etc;
• Experienced media relations trainer;
• Experienced brand manager and high level of comfort with design issues (visual identity guidelines etc);
• High level of time management and administrative organization skills;
• Comfortable working in high-pressure environments;
• Fluency in a second language is highly desirable;
• Plain language expert: able to describe complex technical systems and tools, as well as complex research methods and data, into simple concepts.

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