Global Head of Communications at Pact

Location: Washington, D.C.
Last Date: August 30, 2010

Job Description

Title: Global Head of Communications
Department: Communications
Supervisor: Senior Vice President of Global Engagement and Strategy
Location: Washington, D.C.
Effective Date:

HR Use Only: Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
EEO Job Class: Management Salary Level: Level III

Pact values and supports a diverse work environment.

Position Summary: The Global Head of Communications (GHC) will direct Pact’s communications strategy and be responsible for developing external and internal communications activities in accordance with organizational priorities. The GHC will lead and mentor a team and grow and oversee a network of communications professionals and consultants in delivering products and messages of the highest standards to push Pact’s presence to the forefront of the development industry. The GHC will broaden Pact’s visibility and brand management, build Pact’s strength in influencing decision makers and thought leadership, and enhance the marketing priorities of Pact worldwide, including operations in 22 countries. The GHC reports to the Senior Vice President of Global Engagement and Strategy and is a senior manager within Pact.

Core Values: Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution:
• all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
• gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
• resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact’s role as steward of resources intended for the poor
• diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds
• teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships
• innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scalable results drive strategic priorities
• gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees
• staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology
• a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications Strategy Design and Implementation
• In collaboration with senior leadership develop, implement and manage a strategic communications plan consistent with Pact’s global strategy and organizational priorities. The strategy is crafted into an

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annual plan that identifies external and internal communications priorities, objectives, target constituencies, desired products/activities and metrics for determining success.
• Collaborate with functional unit leaders (e.g., Programs, Opportunity Development) to develop nad identify and support specific communications needs to grow and deliver Pact’s core services.
• Collaborate with Country Directors and communications managers to identify regional and country communications priorities and develop strategies and plans for achieving goals.
• Use external communications consultants and experts to deepen and expand Pact’s communications vision and strategies, and provide in-depth expertise and resources not provided within Pact’s staff capabilities.
• Collaborate with Pact’s IT unit to strengthen the information infrastructure channels of communication for the organization.

Communications Tactical Implementation
• Work collaboratively to establish target audiences for increasing Pact’s institutional visibility and brand promise related to corporate ethos, programmatic achievements, innovation, and excellence.
• Develop innovative activities that will promote Pact’s corporate capacity and raise our visibility and reputation as a leader in international development.
• Develop risk management plans as needed to address emerging controversies or crises that may threaten Pact’s reputation, brand, and/or communications efforts.
• Set standards for maintaining and strengthening Pact’s brand and image to ensure that it is consistent and recognizable.
• In collaboration with key staff, identify venues for promoting and deepening the understanding of Pact’s development approaches, methodologies, and signature programs.
• Increase Pact’s print, electronic and new media visibility as a development thought leader.
• Assist in developing materials to support individual-based fundraising and outreach to corporate, traditional, and family foundation leaders.
• Support the President/CEO and other senior staff in speech preparation, media and board presentations, and institutional reporting.
• Assist the President/CEO and Leadership Team in developing strategies, messages and outreach.
• Serve as an articulate spokesperson for the organization.

Lead and Direct all Departmental Strategies and Priorities, to include:

External Communications and Marketing

Website and Electronic Communication:
• Develop and maintain corporate public website and oversee all written and visual content.
• Coordinate with country offices to support country websites as sections of the Pact corporate website.
• Coordinate design and production of electronic newsletters, bulletins, blogs and other new media tools.
• Utilize and evaluate new online marketing approaches, including social media and new media tools.

Public and Media Relations:
• Utilize public and media relations to build presence and recognition for Pact and its programs, e.g., pitching stories, preparing press releases, responding to media queries.

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• Develop and manage the production of all institutional information and promotional pieces. Develop templates and production guidelines to ensure quality and consistency, especially for country operations.
• Develop and maintain relationships and a database of media contacts, advocacy networks, and strategic allies.

External Engagement:
• Collaborate with Pact leaders and knowledge management staffs to create position papers, case studies, articles, reports and white papers; and facilitate their placement and distribution.
• Identify venues and organize panel and speaking presentations and other forms of industry engagement, including conferences, tradeshows and events.
• Engage with a broad range of development advocates to increase Pact’s visibility and reputation as a strong advocate for Pact areas of expertise and strategic focus.

Marketing Support:
• Collaborate with the Opportunity Development unit to identify and develop marketing materials for key current and new business audiences.
• Collaborate with the Programs unit to identify and develop marketing materials that feature signature programs, technical capacities, training offerings, and core programming strengths.
• Provide guidance to marketing efforts for Pact’s special initiatives and signature programs.
• Collaborate with field staffs to coordinate Pact corporate and country/region-specific marketing materials.

Internal Communications
• Coordinate and assist with all forms in internal communications, to include leadership and staff engagement; cross-functional engagement; and engagement with Board, partners and funders.
• Assist with the coordination between key units within Pact of knowledge management, best practices, training, and general internal communications that facilitate organizational unity and strengthen Pact as a learning organization.
• Develop communications policies, standards and protocols to guide all business functions communication.
• Develop architectural structure, organization and content of SharePoint Intranet site.
• Provide guidance and assistance with all risk and crisis management to internal audiences when necessary.

Qualifications:
• Fifteen years of leadership and management experience in multiple forms of communications and marketing, with at least three years experience in a leadership position in a communications team or function.
• Visionary and excellent strategic thinker with ability to transform ideas into compelling strategies, messages and tools.
• Excellent public speaking and writing skills.
• Strong collaborative teamwork skills and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to engage with top executives, media and external audiences under pressure.
• Development industry experience preferred.
• Foreign experience and language skills desirable.


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Education and Experience:
• Educational credentials and training relevant to communications leadership with a graduate degree preferred.
• Experience working with respect and sensitivity with diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
• Experience serving as an institutional spokesperson and speaking to wide audiences of press and development practitioners.
• Experience in project and vendor management.
• Experience mentoring and nurturing staff to build their capacity in communications.
• Experience with latest methods of social and new media tools.

Supervisor: Yes


Disclaimer: This job description summarizes the responsibilities assigned to the position; however it does not contain an all-inclusive list of responsibilities. Periodically, employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. Employment at Pact is a voluntary ”at will” relationship.

Apply online at: http://recruitment.pactworld.org/apply

These positions are contingent on project funding. Pact values a diverse work environment.