Responsibilities

• Setting the strategy — owning NIESR's communications and external affairs strategy, and advising the Director and Council of Management on positioning, messaging and reputational issues.
• Leading editorially — working with researchers from the earliest stages to sharpen titles, key messages, press lines and launch narratives, and finding the “so what?” in complex research.
• Driving media coverage — using your existing network of senior economics, financial and political journalists to generate proactive coverage, commentary and broadcast opportunities, not just respond to inbound requests.
• Going hands-on in digital — personally creating and publishing content across social and digital channels, and building a distinctive voice that expands NIESR's reach.
• Connecting profile to impact — working with events and the Director of Development to turn NIESR's audience and influence into partnerships, sponsorships and revenue.
• Building the function — establishing standards and priorities now, with a team to follow as the function grows.
• Reports to the Chief Operating Officer

Requirements

• Significant senior-level experience in communications, journalism, editorial or public affairs — ideally somewhere research-led, policy-focused or evidence-driven.
• A genuine, established network of senior economics and political journalists and editors.
• A track record of personally writing, editing and publishing high-quality content — not just directing others to do it.
• Exceptional editorial judgement: you can find the strongest argument in a dense piece of research and make it land.
• Real hands-on digital and social media experience, from strategy through to hitting publish.
• Confidence operating at senior leadership level, advising directors and boards on external positioning.
• Curiosity about economics and public policy, and the credibility to engage with researchers as a peer.
• Experience in a think tank, university, financial institution or similar evidence-led organisation is a plus, as is a background in journalism or editorial leadership.

Preferred

• Experience in a think tank, university, financial institution or similar evidence-led organisation is a plus, as is a background in journalism or editorial leadership.