Senior Director, Strategic Communications – World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Deadline for application 10 October 2023

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature-positive and more equitable future.

We share a vision of a world in which more than 9 billion people are able to live well, within planetary boundaries, by 2050. To achieve this vision, we must collectively accelerate the required transformation of businesses, their value chains, and the systems in which they operate to limit the impact of the climate crisis, restore nature and tackle inequality.

How our community works

Our community leads positive change through our imperatives work by building the infrastructure of a better world through climate, nature and equity action. In our distinct pathways, we outline the critical transitions required in some of the significant areas of business activity to profoundly shift the systems we work in and transform them towards a better future. Together we succeed when our collective effort is rewarded through a lower cost of capital, which is the scope of our redefining value work; helping companies measure and manage risk, gain competitive advantage and seize new opportunities by understanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) information.

WBCSD’s contribution

WBCSD stimulates progress by ideating & level-setting new best practices and trends from different expertise & sectors. By improving performance, we enable standards and protocols supported by tools and technology to solidify businesses’ sustainability competence. We build partnerships by bringing together members and external partners to create coalitions and partnerships and build scale into change. Finally, we drive the policy agenda by amplifying the voice of positive business and shaping policies collaboratively to transform the systems we work in.

Our work aims to empower business leaders to raise their ambition to achieve a better world, deliver action at speed and scale in their operations and value chains, and sharpen the accountability of their performance.

Job Overview
The Senior Director, Strategic Communications will lead as a strategic communications partner for WBCSD’s leadership team, and on broader communications topics by building and managing the reputation and strategically position WBCSD among key stakeholders and audiences. Within this scope falls the responsibility to effectively advise the organization on its overall communications and positioning strategy, drive key audience engagement based on data and insights, and closely work with LT and internal project teams to determine the key transformation priorities for WBCSD. Additionally, the Senior Director is tasked to lead the broader communications team in creating content and assets for these purposes.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and implement the global strategy for Strategic communications and the ongoing positioning of the organization with external stakeholders, including determining key transformation priorities and the development of KPIs to report progress on regularly to the Leadership Team.
• Focus on developing a strong and clear corporate narrative, driving strategic (member) engagement, proactively messaging the organizational vision, narrative and messages;
• In coordination with the Vice President, manage reputational risk and crisis communication activities, both for the organization and in support of members and partner organizations;
• Promote an innovative approach to communications using all media, staying abreast of advancements in the profession to ensure continued growth in reach of WBCSD’s messaging.
• Identify, foster and manage productive and impactful relationships between WBCSD and key international, regional and national organisations, entities and institutions in line with advancing WBCSD’s positioning strategy;
• Lead, manage, engage and develop a team of direct reports; involve and influence staff members across a highly interconnected, matrix-based organisation; and grow and deepen WBCSD member company engagement.
• Liaise and coordinate with regional WBCSD offices to help translate the corporate communications strategy into regional approaches aligned with global priorities.
• Represent WBCSD with members and partners and at (international) sustainable development convenings and with external stakeholders to enhance WBCSD’s profile as a trusted partner to drive positive change.

Qualifications Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in communications, journalism or related field;
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in strategic communications and/or PR and at least 5 years of experience managing a global team;
• Experience developing and executing a strategic communications plan for a high profile, global organization, using knowledge of how communications supports the delivery of wider organizational goals;
• Engaging communicator across cultures and between the private and public sector, both in person and in writing such that complex ideas, thoughts and concepts are clearly articulated for both a general and specialist audience, as required. An ease in summarising and synthesising issues and identifying means to address them.
• Experience in managing reputational risks proactively and reactively;
• Experience in wide-range of disciplines, including but not limited to: public relations, editorial and internal communications;
• Knowledge of digital communication tools such as social media and web;
• Experience in successful management of multi-disciplinary global teams, including matrixed employees;
• Excellent understanding of sustainability issues, voluntary certification and uses information to anticipate and adapt messaging;
• Demonstrable skills and experience in diplomacy and sensititivy to different opinion and approaches, managing a range of views and interests with first class negotiation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrable experience in highly networked project management, team management and institutional navigation skills, with ability to structure a strategic, agile and pertinent multi.-year policy and advocavy program, with proven accountability for achieving influence and impact expectations and delivery of tangible outcomes
• Knowledge of branding and positioning through multi-channel campaigns is an asset;
• Seasoned judgment, able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and be responsive, clear and firm with colleagues and partners.
• Comfortable with ambiguity with a flexible approach.

The position is full-time and based in Amsterdam or London and will also require international travel.

The position will report to the Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Events.

WBCSD is a purpose driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterised by diversity of gender, nationalities and work experiences.

The Work Environment

WBCSD offers a competitive, modern, and flexible working arrangement:

• Geneva-based organization with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, London, New York and Singapore
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• State-of-the-art facilities and ICT-enabled working tools
• Flex-time and part-time possibilities
• Dynamic working atmosphere
• Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions
• International relocation support
• Sustainable commuting incentives