ISEAL Alliance is seeking a dynamic and creative sustainability communications professional to join our small London-based team as Communications Manager, reporting to the Toronto-based Director of Development & Communications.  ISEAL is the global membership association for sustainability standards that includes many of the leading eco-labelling and certification schemes in the world as its members.  Please find out more about us on our website www.iseal.org.

Our communications team consists of three positions (Director, Manager and Coordinator).  The Manager will contribute to all areas of communications across the organisation.  We seek a strong communications generalist who demonstrates exceptional writing skills, as well as an eye for creative design and multimedia.  Our ideal candidate will also have strong time management skills and be able to handle and prioritise a wide range of communications tasks and work to deadlines.  The preferred applicant should have substantial experience with social media, and with web and online tools.  It is important that all ISEAL staff members have a passion for sustainability, and we prefer candidates with experience in relevant non-profit organisations. For this position, additional knowledge and understanding of sustainability standards and certification is essential.

Responsibilities:

 Planning and Strategy

• Contribute to development of ISEAL communications strategy and content strategy and lead appropriate elements.
• Deliver relevant work plans and special projects as part of a three person Communications team (Director, Manager, and Coordinator).
• Contribute to strategy to use a range of media as means to reach audiences, deliver core messaging, and build ISEAL community.  
• Contribute to and implement strategy for audience development and expansion through effective use of existing channels (i.e. website, newsletters etc).
• Lead the development of a new social media strategy at ISEAL

  Supervision

• Supervise a range of communications consultants and suppliers that provide additional support and services for ISEAL communications, including graphic designers, printers, writers, PR professionals, translators, and local professionals in emerging markets (Brazil, India and China).

Production, Projects & Content

• Curate and write content for ISEAL publications and communications vehicles.  Occasionally ghost-write articles and speeches for ISEAL senior staff.  Write commissioned articles on sustainability standards for external publications.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the ISEAL website by supervising a third party agency, and provide leadership on web content under the direction of the Director of Development & Communications.
• Implement promotional strategy for ISEAL events with particular focus on design, marketing and branding.   
• Lead the content curation, planning and marketing of the ISEAL public webinar series on a range of trends and topics in the sustainability standards sector.
• With Director of Communications and through a LinkedIn group, co-lead and animate the communications network of professionals working in ISEAL members’ communications teams.  Plan, build content for, and co-facilitate twice yearly meetings of the network.

Resources & Reporting

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with ISEAL staff and members, in particular with the network of communications professionals from ISEAL member organisations.
• Ensure all ISEAL communications are consistent with style and language guidelines.
• Contribute to delivery of regular M&E reports on communications activities to help measure effectiveness by creating relevant indicators.
• Write stories and pitch them to the media, monitor and evaluate relevant press, and share relevant stories amongst ISEAL staff and members.

Other

• Contribute to staff meetings, retreat and other internal meetings with appropriate contents, views and suggestions
• Fulfil requirements of internal staff management processes including performance reviews, supervisory meetings, work planning etc.
• Commit to continuously increase knowledge of ISEAL work and the wider context of voluntary standards and sustainability issues

Other Relevant Information:

Term:                                     This is intended as a long term position with an initial contract of one year

 Salary band:                       £40,000 – 48,000, depending on experience

Working Hours:                 Based on a full time equivalent of 37.5 hours per week. The ISEAL Alliance operates a Flexible Working Policy and is happy to consider applications for flexible working after the relevant qualification period has passed.

Status:                                  Exceptional candidates from outside the UK/EEA area, who are not in possession of a valid visa, may be able to apply for a work permit through the Home Office’s points based system for this position.