Editorial and communications executive jobs

Role Title: Communications Officer, Europe

Contract Type: Permanent

Reporting To: Associate Director, Communications

Program/Department/Unit Name: Communications

Location: London

Team Name: Executive and Geographic Communications

Opportunity or Team description

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) is one of the world’s largest private funders of organizations advancing justice, democratic governance, and human rights. Active in more than 120 countries, OSF works to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose institutions are accountable, transparent, and responsive to the participation of all people.

The Communications function plays a mission-critical role in advancing Open Society Foundations’ global mandate. It shapes and safeguards the public narrative of the Open Society Foundations, strengthens the visibility and impact of its work and protects institutional credibility in increasingly contested civic and political environments. The communications team leads strategic positioning across complex and rapidly evolving landscapes—proactively elevating the networks achievements while responding decisively to misinformation and coordinated attacks to open society values worldwide.  

Role Purpose

The Communications Officer, Europe serves as a senior strategic leader of external communications engagement for Open Society’s priorities across Europe, with a mandate that extends globally as needed.

Key responsibilities

Through integrated media engagement, digital strategy, social media platforms, publications, executive communications and internal communications, the department partners with  dozens of Open Society Foundations and programs to drive coherence, clarity, and influence across the global network.

Reporting to Associate Director of Communications, Europe and working in close partnership with Program and Advocacy leadership, this role will:  

• Develop and execute high-impact, regionally grounded  communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities.

• Shape compelling organizational narratives and positioning on issues central to Open Society’s mission;

• Lead proactive risk assessment and reputational strategy, anticipating communications and media risks across the region and develops and executes mitigation strategies; serves as the lead during crisis situations, ensuring values-aligned response management.

• Shape and drive strategic communications opportunities aligned with institutional priorities—leveraging both real-time news cycles and long-term advocacy opportunities to advance Open Society values, influence public discourse and shape policy relevant narratives.

• Strategically position key Open Society leadership, experts and thought-leaders across top-tier domestic, regional and international media, cultivating relationships with influential journalist and editorial boards to expand reach, credibility and thought-leadership impact.

• Author and oversee high-impact written communications, including Op-Eds, policy commentaries, thought-leadership pieces, and other press materials—ensuring clarity, narratives coherence and alignment.

• Design and lead strategic media engagements, including press briefings, editorial meetings, high level media convenings and background discussions that deepen understanding of Open Society work and priorities.

• Oversee integrated content strategy and production across digital and print platforms, ensuring strategic coherence, audience targeting and performance impact; manages and coordinates external creative and PR partners to deliver high quality outputs.

• Co-design and delivers communications trainings for program staff, leadership, and partners to strengthen message discipling, media readiness and narrative alignment across the network.

• Contribute to global communications leadership initiatives, partnering with communications colleagues across regions to drive cross-portfolio collaboration, institutional consistency and shared strategic objectives across the highly-matrixed global environment.

Key external relationships

Media partners including journalists and editors; and Public Relations firms; grantees and partners; human rights and legal experts; public intellectuals and academics

The ideal candidate

Key Considerations and Requirements

This is a fully remote position operating within a highly distributed, global team. The role requires exceptional self-direction, disciplined time management, and the ability to independently prioritize and execute against strategic objectives without day-to-day supervision.

Given the global scope of the Communications function, this role requires significant flexibility in working hours to ensure effective collaboration across multiple time zones. Regular availability during late afternoons and evenings will be necessary to align with colleagues and leadership in Africa, the United States, and the Middle East, including participation in cross-regional meetings scheduled during New York morning hours.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Educated to a degree-level (or equivalent) relevant to Communications

• Evidence of continued professional development in media strategy, crisis communications, geopolitical analysis, or digital strategy.

Experience

Essential:

• Substantial relevant communications experience driving strategic communications in complex political and international environments, including journalism OR experience as a communications professional in the not-for-profit or private sector

• Established and active network of high-level media, editorial, and digital influencers across regional and international levels

• Experience managing crisis communications and high-risk reputational environments.

• Experience leading integrated communications strategies across media, digital, and stakeholder engagement platforms.

• Proven track record advising senior leadership on reputational risk, media engagement, and public positioning

Desirable:

• In-depth media knowledge of open society issues

• Established relationships with journalists, editors, producers and creative partners

• Proven skills in the development of communications strategies in regional and/or international contexts

• Excellent skills in writing for and pitching to media

• Demonstrable social media and digital campaign and management expertise

• Ability to provide strategic guidance around communications opportunities (media interviews, public events, campaigns) for senior officials and others

Functional Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of open society issues

• Established relationships with journalists, editors, producers and creative partners

• Proven skills in the development of communications strategies in regional and/or international contexts

• Excellent skills in writing for and pitching to media

• Demonstrable social media and digital campaign and management expertise

• Ability to provide strategic guidance around communications opportunities (media interviews, public events, campaigns) for senior officials and others

Personal Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrity

• High level of self-motivation, initiative, and creativity

• Willingness to travel extensively for work

• Substantial knowledge of organizational and project management

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, and solve problems independently or collaboratively a needed

• Diplomatic manner and ability to adapt to a range of cultures and experiences in interacting with program management, colleagues at all levels, contacts, and the public

Languages:

An excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of French or Spanish desirable.

What we offer

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.

• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:

• Generous time off and flexible work arrangements.

• Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).

• Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.

• Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.

• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.

About the organization

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.

Additional information

Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.   

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

Are you a bold communicator who knows a great story when you see one? Do you want your work to genuinely matter - amplifying the voices of people who need to be heard, shifting public perception of social care, and putting a passionate, values-driven charity on the national map? 
 
Community Integrated Care is one of the UK's largest social care charities, supporting thousands of people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions to live the lives they choose.

​As we launch our new five-year strategy, Best Lives Bolder this is a defining moment for our organisation. We are setting out to be even more creative, courageous and influential in how we champion the people we support and drive change across the sector.

​We're looking for an exceptional PR & Media Manager to lead our media function and help us tell our story with ambition, imagination and impact - playing a pivotal role in bringing our Best Lives, Bolder vision to life through powerful storytelling and high-impact media engagement.

​This is a full time permanent, national role with hybrid working. You will be required to work from our head office at least once a week, so our ideal candidate will be based within an hour's commute of Widnes, Cheshire.

​What is "The Deal" for you?

• Flexibility: You can work your 37.5 hours over 4 days and enjoy a long weekend, or split the hours over 5 days to accommodate your other commitments.
• Pension: contributory pension scheme
• Benefits: retail discounts, holiday discounts, cycle to work scheme and travel discounts through our benefits app
• Best Lives Possible: You'll be working for an award winning charity who is passionate about ensuring our colleagues and the people we support lead the best lives bolder 
• Development: We'll work with you to develop your career or to learn and experience new things. We're passionate about developing our people! 
• Support: From our Employee Assistance Programme (available 24/7), financial support options, and wellbeing fund you'll have the support available to lead an easier (financial) life

This isn't a press office role. It's a platform for someone who wants to shape conversations, build national influence and champion the people at the heart of social care. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing and owning our national and regional Media & PR Strategy, aligned to our influencing and advocacy goals. 
• Proactively pitching compelling stories to secure high-quality national, regional, trade and broadcast coverage 
• Building and nurturing relationships with journalists, influencers and media contacts across care, sport, culture and nature sectors. 
• Leading crisis communications - protecting our reputation calmly and decisively when it matters most. 
• Translating complex policy and social care issues into accessible, powerful content for diverse audiences. 
• Collaborating closely with our Head of Influencing, Policy and Public Affairs to align media work with policy goals. 
• Working with our Partnerships & Communities team to turn high-profile community programmes and brand partnerships into media ready stories.
• Supporting and developing confident spokespeople at every level of the organisation.
• Monitoring coverage, producing insight-driven reports and keeping senior leaders informed on media trends and reputational risks. 

Our ideal candidate:

• ​Track record - Proven experience in a PR, media or communications role in the charity, public, health or social care sector. 
• ​Media instinct - You know a story, you know how to place it, and you know when to act fast. 
• ​Strategy - Experience designing and delivering media strategies with measurable outcomes. 
• ​Crisis management - Experience building proactive processes for reputation risks and leading calm, confident responses when issues arise.
• ​Relationships - A strong network of media contacts or the ability to build one quickly across sectors. 
• ​Storytelling - Exceptional writing, from press releases to opinion pieces to compelling human stories. 
• ​Collaboration - Proven ability to work across teams, influence senior leaders and align messaging. 
• ​Policy experience - Ability to turn complex social, regulatory or policy issues into content that lands with public and political audiences. 

Why join us

• You'll be working for an award-winning charity that’s passionate about ensuring our colleagues and the people we support lead the best lives possible.
• Flexible hours - work 37.5 hours over four days for a long weekend, or across five days to suit you. You can also work from home, with at least one day per week at our Widnes Head Office. 
• A collaborative, values-driven team where your work will be seen, valued and celebrated 
• Opportunities to travel nationally and attend sector events and media moments. 
• A contributory pension scheme to help you plan for the future. 
• Wellbeing support, including a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, financial support options and a wellbeing fund. Retail discounts, holiday deals, cycle to work scheme and travel discounts via our benefits app. 

If you're a bold, strategic communicator who wants to use your skills to change perceptions, influence policy and amplify the voices of people in social care - we'd love to hear from you.

​Please note, if you are interested in this role, we welcome your application as soon as possible! Depending on the volume of applications received, the vacancy may be closed before the expected advertising end date.

We’re really proud to be a Hive HR Employee Voice Certified organisation, a recognition that confirms our commitment to creating a culture where our colleagues are not only encouraged to share their thoughts, but where this feedback is actively sought and acted upon to drive positive change at every level.

In our 2025 Colleague Engagement Survey, 59% (nearly 3,800) of our people shared their feedback and insights, giving us an incredible Employee Net Promoter Score of +34.

The Employee Net Promoter Score is a measure of how willing our colleagues are to recommend us as a good place to work to their loved ones – and a score of +34 is considered a Very Good score when compared to global benchmarks set by hundreds of other organisations.