Project Liberty is seeking a dynamic Head of Communications to create and implement a cohesive narrative that elevates the visibility and increases the impact of the ambitious and innovative organization. 


Project Liberty

Project Liberty is a nonprofit organization that aims to create a new civic architecture for the digital world that returns the ownership and control of personal data to individuals, embeds ethical values into technology, and expands economic opportunities for web users and developers alike. The organization seeks to accelerate the world’s transition to an open, inclusive data economy that puts citizens in control — a future in which all people can benefit from their participation and contributions. The success of this work depends on many people and organizations actively working together to shape a better future. 


Project Liberty is working to engage diverse voices and equip them with the critical infrastructure needed to catalyze change. The tech team behind Project Liberty has developed a groundbreaking open-source protocol called the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP) to serve as a new infrastructure for the next generation of the web. Project Liberty is also bringing together networks of organizations that seek change, including the formation of McCourt Institute, to help ensure that digital governance is embedded and prioritized in the development of new technology.


Position

The Head of Communications will lead all communications activities, with an emphasis on thoughtful positioning and strategic stakeholder engagement, to build broad understanding of and advance support for the Project Liberty vision, mission and strategic initiatives. This executive will be a member of and a key advisor to the leadership team, providing counsel on all matters that may impact the company’s reputation, and helping to shape the landscape in order to enable Project Liberty to achieve its goals. The communications leader will play a lead role in developing the overarching messaging strategy for all enterprise communications and advise on communications for department initiatives. It is expected that this executive will build a lean and appropriately-sized team and manage external relations including executive visibility, outreach programs, media relations, website, publications and paid media to build a favorable view of the organization and its work.


Core Functions

  • Lead the development of a cohesive narrative that clearly articulates Project Liberty’s vision and mission.

  • Develop an integrated communications strategy to advance the organization’s brand identity and broaden awareness of its initiatives across key stakeholder audiences, including media, the public, policy influencers and decision-makers, as well as civic, government and business leaders.

  • Ensure that the mission and initiatives of the organization are communicated simply and in innovative ways to achieve clarity, attention and impact.

  • Develop a thoughtful and focused external speaking engagement calendar for key senior leaders, and assist in their preparation. Proactively identify opportunities for engagement and influence by being current with developments that relate to all key stakeholders and partners.

  • Champion communications throughout the organization to ensure that communication considerations form an integral part of policy-making, project designs, visits and tours by the senior management.

  • Actively engage, cultivate and manage press relationships to secure coverage of programs, special events, public announcements and other projects.

  • Lead internal communication efforts with the objective of informing and engaging staff. Partner with Human Resources to ensure effective, timely and accurate communications and messaging throughout the entire organization.

  • Design and implement strategic communications initiatives that may include print and radio media, digital and social media channels, and niche communications opportunities.

  • Oversee the design and production of core marketing materials for the different initiatives within the organization ensuring quality of content, impactfulness of messaging and alignment with the overall Project Liberty brand standards.

  • Anticipate reputational risk issues and develop and implement appropriate communications actions.

  • Work with senior management and department staff to determine the areas where the organization can impact the regional and international dialogue relevant to  the organization's goals.

  • Build a communications team that can be responsible for key deliverables and collaborate with and manage agency teams.


The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience in Communications with at least 5+ years in a leadership role, demonstrating vision, intellectual breadth, and practical experience driving effective communications plans to achieve specific goals. Experience with campaign strategy and implementation, and effective principal communications, including audience, messaging and venue strategy, are essential. Candidates should have demonstrated success developing and executing impactful comprehensive strategic communications programs to engage stakeholders in new ideas and ventures. An interest in Project Liberty’s areas of focus, including building and supporting civic institutions, advancing public policy, and transforming technology to serve society, is necessary.  This individual must understand the complexities and implications of advisory roles, with a track record for translating evidenced- based, strategic thinking into action plans and output. Excellent written and verbal skills and a hands-on approach to writing and editing are required. 


Competencies

  • Impact-driven. A proven track record as a decisive, action-oriented individual with demonstrated ability to drive a communications agenda in a dynamic, rapidly growing and global environment. Experience bringing rigor and discipline to organizations; evidence of thoroughness in approach and delivery. An entrepreneurial spirit and intellectual curiosity are key to integration and success. Non-hierarchical; do what it takes to get things done – including what may be below the job title or the job description.

  • Best Practice Leadership. Must understand the relevant communications landscape and provide best practice and benchmarking advice in terms of strategic communications direction, based on experience of having supported a highly-visible organization and their leaders. Experience across a diverse set of business models or industries to bring new perspectives.

  • Team leadership. Strong team leadership, management and development skills. A proven track record building and leading communications teams and instilling in them a performance orientation, a sense of shared purpose, alignment with cultural values and the collective skill sets needed to provide and inspire translation of the organization’s mission into specific communications objectives. 

  • Collaborative approach. An ability to break down organizational boundaries and collaborate with different departments and partners; build strong relationships based on trust with peers; take an active stance in representing viewpoints; strong listening skills and an empathetic orientation to understand issues and messages and a record of bringing people together. Ability to get on board with decisions once made, even when counter to preferred approach, to ensure unified leadership position.

  • Relationship Building and Influencing. The intellectual curiosity and business acumen to understand the broad and differentiated contexts in which the organization works, as evidenced by the ability to flourish in a complex multi-stakeholder environment and align diverse, strongly held perspectives to gain agreement. The knowledge and temperament to work and advise at the highest levels in an organization and with a variety of internal and external constituencies. Ability to influence without direct authority

  • Analytical & Intellectual Horsepower and Cultural Fit. Demonstrated ability to understand issues quickly, solve problems and perform analyses to support strategy and decision-making. Commitment to the organization’s mission and core values.


Location: Preference will be given to candidates based in London; however candidates based in London, UK, New York City or Washington, DC will be considered.


Salary: The expected salary range for this position is USD 208,000 - USD 250,000 annually. The actual salary offer will be determined on factors including the qualifications, experience, skills, and abilities of the applicant. This role is also eligible for an incentive bonus. You’ll find a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package here at Project Liberty.



Project Liberty is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the core functions of the job.



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