Description

Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute based in London. Our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.

We seek a Head of News and Comment who is a strategic thinker with the ability to influence internally as well as externally. The successful candidate will combine deep knowledge of international relations with a keen sense of how to influence the news cycle in the UK and abroad. Chatham House’s role is to bring together diverse and sometimes opposing views, and we require someone with sound judgment on how best to do this.

This role involves leading an integrated team to deliver communications campaigns that prioritize Chatham House’s research goals and that respond rapidly and with impact to emerging events and current affairs. You will deliver and oversee teams producing compelling content, connecting the institute’s analysis and events to current affairs, and will lead our tactical response to unforeseen or breaking news and developments. This role involves directly line managing the Head of Media relations (responsible for media coverage of Chatham House’s work), Deputy Head of News and Comment, Social Media Manager, Podcast Producer and Multimedia Producer.

Due to the nature of the role, you will sometimes be required to work outside core hours i.e. evenings and weekends. This role will be hybrid, with a consistent expectation of a minimum of two days in the office per week.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at HR@Chathamhouse.org.

Key responsibilities:

Delivery

• Manage the production of the institute’s short-form content, balancing a busy schedule of planned content alongside commissioning quality quick-turnaround content in response to current events.
• Secure media coverage in high-profile outlets through proactive and reactive press outreach and relationship-building, partnering with the Head of Media and the press office to help meet institutional objectives.
• Decide what written expert commentary to commission, and when to publish it, to link Chatham House expertise to current affairs. Edit priority and sensitive content, including from the Director and CEO, in a timely manner.
• Ensure that priority events are effectively promoted. Work with the Head of Events and Head of Digital Marketing to drive up online audiences.
• Oversee Chatham House social media channels (X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), working with the Social Media Manager to develop strategies and support team members to create engaging and responsive profiles and grow follower/subscriber numbers.
• Oversee production of Chatham House podcasts and videos, supporting direct reports in commissioning, scripting, producing and editing content, which may be planned or in response to current events.
• Deliver and model our EDI strategy, ensuring EDI is considered in decision-making.
• Deputize for the Communications Director as needed.

Strategy

• Work closely with the Communications Director to develop and deliver a communications strategy for Chatham House.
• Increase the impact of Chatham House analysis and experts, growing relevant networks online and elsewhere, by developing and producing compelling written and multimedia content.
• Drive focused communications campaigns around our big moments and publications, identifying the best communications activities to achieve objectives and putting together cross-department teams to deliver.
• Ensure that Chatham House can respond in a compelling and timely manner to emerging events and breaking news, commissioning reaction and effective products to link Chatham House expertise to current international affairs debates.

People

• Lead, inspire and motivate staff in line with our mission, values and competencies, effectively communicating and setting an example of what ‘good looks like’.
• Mentor and coach direct and indirect reports, establishing an inclusive and collaborative culture for all.
• Drive collaboration between research programmes and non-research departments, delivering a ‘One Chatham House’ approach to all work.
• Build trust and strong relationships, collaborating effectively with research and events colleagues to promote compelling and impactful engagement at priority moments.
• Provide strategic communications guidance to colleagues across Chatham House on how to use communications to achieve the institute’s objectives and improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Head of Digital Marketing on integrating marketing into communications planning and identifying priority moments for audience engagement.
• Collaborate with the Head of Publishing and the Editor of The World Today (TWT) on promoting priority research publications and new issues of TWT magazine.
• Work with the HR team to develop training and clear guidance for communications colleagues and the wider organization to encourage best practice.
• Support the management of internal communications, promoting effective coordination and information-sharing around upcoming work and key activities.

Requirements

Skills and experience

• Leadership experience in a media environment or in communications for the think-tank, government or international affairs sectors, including working directly with CEOs or principals.
• Demonstrable sound judgment and decision-making.
• Sound understanding of international affairs and the audiences for related content. Demonstrable experience delivering impactful news, analysis and commentary within the media.
• Leadership skills with previous experience of bringing people on the journey, leading by example.
• Demonstrable experience of awareness and sound judgment around potential sensitivities connected to international affairs.
• Experience managing multiple teams and delivering organization-wide communications campaigns.
• Understanding of EDI principles and how to best create an inclusive work environment.
• Experience of creative communications, delivering impact through traditional media, digital channels and social media.
• A strong understanding of key audiences for policy research, how to reach them, and the best methods for influencing a diverse range of audiences.
• A skilled influencer with the ability to engage people and enable collaboration across teams with key internal and external partners.
• Excellent communications judgment and the ability to manage multiple competing demands.
• An expert in delivering multi-channel communications campaigns.

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days’ annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working, and other benefits designed to suit your personal lifestyle. All of this in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary: £70,000–80,000 per year.

Contract: Full-time, permanent.

Location: Hybrid (Office/home), minimum two days in the office per week.

Application closing date: Friday 22 November 2024 (Midnight, UK time). You will be notified of the status of your application within four weeks of the role closing.

Please avoid using AI for your application. We want to hear from you! We can tell the difference between a genuine answer and an AI-generated one. Using AI will run the risk of your application being disqualified.

The job description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your records.