Location Paris
Job-type Permanent
Salary €Competitive
Reference ACRE-12688

Acre is supporting a leading global NGO and multistakeholder initiative in the consumer goods sector in the search for a Communications Director.

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As a business association, the organisation is highly skilled and dedicated to developing programmes and solutions for large corporations by employing a diversified workforce based across five regions.

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You will join the organisation at a critical time as it continues to build on the work of its Coalitions of Action and begins to see a return to physical events in the post-COVID era, helping to drive action and impact at scale. The role holder will also have the opportunity to partner with some of the biggest consumer brands and retailers in the world on industry-defining initiatives driven by the organisation that help benefit people and planet, working on some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, including consumer health, deforestation, plastic waste, forced labour, food safety and product data.

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Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Communications Director who is able to seamlessly balance the mix between strategic planning and day-to-day operational support. This is an opportunity to put your creative stamp on the communications of a purpose-driven organisation that plays a key role in shaping the future of the consumer goods industry, but you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and support your team in the daily work required to meet the demands of all internal and external stakeholders. The communications team includes six direct reports.

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Also, as an essential member of the Management Committee, you must be able to influence peers, work transversely across multiple teams at one time, and play a central role in defining how the organisation is perceived by members, external stakeholders and the media, bringing fresh ideas and new thinking to the table.

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As the Director, you will develop and foster proactive engagement to maintain and elevate all organisational communications, working closely with the other directors across the organisation, including events, membership, and coalitions.

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You will report to the Managing Director. The position is based at the organisation's headquarters in Paris, France.

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Key Responsibilities

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COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING STRATEGY

  • Develop and implement the core communications plan for the organisation and work with teams to develop focused plans for the individual coalitions and events and work with the team to ensure implementation.

  • Develop and execute PR strategy, working with the agency of choice, to help position the organisation as a leader and to profile key spokespeople.

  • Develop and execute a plan to engage key target audiences with measurable objectives and develop KPIs related to marketing and communication activities.

  • Own strategy and execution for all print and digital communications assets, monitoring, and reporting on key KPIs.

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TEAM LEADERSHIP

  • Support the growth and development of the communications team.

  • Provide day-to-day, operational support to individual team members to ensure goals are met.

  • Collaborate with HR in hiring team members as needed to deliver team objectives, and in constructing and structuring team development and manager plans.

  • Be an essential and vocal member of the organisation's Management Committee, providing expertise where necessary and advocating for the work of the communications team.

  • Develop and manage annual budgets.

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BRAND MANAGEMENT

  • Maintain brand identity and ensure accurate implementation across all channels, including events, and when used by third parties.

  • Equip the membership team with assets that articulate the organisation's value proposition, including, but not limited to, the corporate brochure and presentation, website, annual report and Member Benefits Guide.

  • Help spread the work of the organisation by partnering with third-party events and ensuring appropriate brand representation.

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COLLATORAL & MESSAGING

  • Lead the development of corporate communications materials, like the corporate brochure and presentations, and support the team in developing content for the coalitions and events.

  • Develop and publish external communications, including press releases, op-eds, blogs, and longer-form social media posts.

  • Develop and evolve key themes, topics, and messages for the organisation as a global brand, as well as for individual coalitions and events.

  • Provide executive coaching and media training for fellow Management Committee members.

  • Partner with key members to help develop collateral such as the annual report and annual top-of-mind report.

  • Develop and own crisis communication plan and execution, when needed.

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STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

  • Help manage the expectations of members and communicate on pros and cons of certain communication approaches.

  • Engage with members around the world to help advocate the work of the organisation, ensuring members have access to messaging, toolkits, and other essential resources that help them to promote the organisation's work.

  • Work with members in the development of new resources, including interviews, blogs, podcasts, and quotes.

  • Engage with NGOs and other external stakeholders to ensure the organisation's positioning, and messaging is clear for all parties and work with them on joint communications plans, where necessary.

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Key Requirements

We know skills and competencies show up in many ways and can be based on your life experience. If you do not meet all the requirements listed, we still encourage you to speak to us about this opportunity.

  • Native-level fluency in spoken and written English; additional languages are a plus.

  • Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to switch between formal and informal tones as needed.

  • 10+ years of leadership and communications experience.

  • Proficiency in the Adobe Suite (especially InDesign, Premiere, and Photoshop) is essential, along with a working knowledge of Google Analytics and WordPress.

  • Service-oriented, flexible, and resourceful. A strong team player who's willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.

  • General understanding of the FMCG and retail sectors on an international level is a plus, as is familiarity with stakeholder relations in this context.

  • Considerable experience in influencing, driving, and managing media relations.

  • Proficient in social media and digital marketing strategies, especially email marketing.

  • Experience in an international environment and matrix organization.

  • Strong leadership skills with a successful track record of managing, developing, and growing an internal team; ability to cultivate culture and partner with HR on team development.

  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, managing external agencies and consultants.

  • Solutions-oriented, results-driven, with high attention to detail; ability to multitask, influence, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

  • Ability to stay focused in high-stress situations, providing strategic input and maintaining composure.

  • Comfortable with ambiguity, with a growth mindset; able to prioritize effectively and keep the bigger picture in focus.

  • Ability to plan ahead and manage budgets effectively.

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Acre is managing the hiring process for this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Jacopo Cesari at jacopo.cesari@acre.com. When reaching out, kindly mention the job title you are applying for and include an English CV or a link to your LinkedIn profile. Please note that only applications submitted directly through our website or LinkedIn will be considered.