Director of Fundraising and Communications

ABOUT US

Open For Business is a charity representing 36 leading companies dedicated to making a difference for LGBTQ+ people around the world. We make the economic case for LGBTQ+ inclusion using data and research; and then activate this through our network of partners and programmes throughout the world. We, and our coalition partners; believe that inclusive, diverse societies are better for business economic growth; and that this message in the right hands can change societies for the better.

Since its creation in 2015, Open For Business has grown significantly to a membership of 36 global organisations and three local influencer programmes in East Africa, The Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe, with a fourth in Southeast Asia to launch early next year.  

We’re proud of bringing the weight and expertise of the private sector behind some of the most vulnerable members of our community globally, ensuring their advocacy efforts are supported by some of the largest organisations in the world.

THE ROLE

We are recruiting a Director of Communications who will be tasked with developing our communications strategy; growing our presence and brand; and ensuring our research and the economic case for LGBTQ+ inclusion reaches the widest possible global audience.

This is an exciting role in a fast-paced organisation committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ inclusion globally. We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong experience of multi-disciplinary communications including drafting strong narratives that appeal to the press, creating engaging social media content and engaging with external media and PR agencies.

Communications does not support our work – it is our work. Bringing the data that demonstrates why businesses thrive in diverse, inclusive societies to people with the power and influence to change things for the better is at the core of what we do.

The role requires a creative spirit who can enable strong relationships and spot opportunities for action. We are a data-driven advocacy organisation, and the successful candidate will combine a campaigning spirit with an analytical mindset. We are keen to welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds who are currently underrepresented at Open For Business and who are passionate about addressing LGBTQ+ inequalities worldwide.

This role is UK based with a hybrid model working from our office space in London and from home. This role reports to the Chief Executive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

·      Developing and executing a comprehensive and ambitious communications strategy aimed at growing our brand and global presence

·      Leading on the global communications strategy

·      Engaging with the media both in the UK and worldwide including global, national and local media sources

·      Leading our social media channels and developing and exciting and engaging calendar of content, growing our channels and our engagement significantly

·      Be the global primary contact for the media, external media buying and PR agencies.

·      Manage media responses and associated risks and opportunities

·      Write, draft and edit news releases, blogs, case studies and other content as well as email newsletters and other email communications

·      Support the production of content, video and graphics for social media and other channels

·      Own the Open For Business brand and support the ongoing development of the brand identity

·      Join the management team of some of our larger projects, such as the Open For Business City Ratings, ensuring we generate maximum possible reach and impact

·      Help to turn research, data and analysis into attention-grabbing headlines and stories

·      Support our local programmes in the Caribbean, East Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia with communications support, advice and direction

·      Support the strategic direction of the organisation as an SLT member

PERSON DESCRIPTION

You will have a broad experience of multi-disciplinary communications and be used to responding quickly to risk and opportunity. You might have been a journalist, or you will have direct experience of securing a broad range of media coverage. You’ll have a global mindset, with the ability to step outside a ‘Global North’ worldview and collaborate with activists around the world. You will be entrepreneurial in spirit and will enjoy being part of a small team tasked with tackling the global pushback against LGBTQ+ rights.

Ideally, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

·        Direct experience in working in a senior role in a communications discipline.

·        Experienced in the development of communication strategy and operational planning

·        Experience leading relationships with press, media and PR

·        Excellent personal communication skills

·        Well-developed cultural sensitivity

·        Ability to hone messages for a range of social and political contexts

·        Broad-base of writing skills – from clicks to longform, from formal to motivational, from corporate to ‘activist’

·        Ability to draft narratives the press will find engaging, particularly on research and data

·        Ability to write engaging content including press releases, comment pieces and blogs

·        Ability to track key metrics and refine approach to deliver and extend impact

·        Experience writing reports

·        Passionate about addressing LGBTQ+ inequalities worldwide and understanding of the issues facing LGBTQ+ people globally

·        Comfortable working remotely with a small, agile team based around the world

·        Comfortable travelling internationally (not more than 3 weeks per year)

Open For Business are an equal opportunities employer, specifically founded to address inequality. As such the successful applicant will be hired based on merit – irrespective of gender, race or ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability or socioeconomic background.