Media and Communications Senior Manager, GCoM at C40 Cities

Position Description:

• The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) seeks an experienced and strategic Media and Communications Manager to serve as a senior contributor and integral member of the communications team. This pivotal role is responsible for contributing to GCoM's global visibility, assisting in the communications response for critical issues, and supporting the delivery of the overall communication strategy across high-level events and initiatives. Success in this role requires navigating a complex organisational landscape, working across core funders, institutional partners, and the broader GCoM alliance to ensure alignment and connection. The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with a strong background in media relations and narrative development, including direct experience working in or with city governments.

Responsibilities: 

Strategic Communications & Leadership

• Leadership Support: Support the GCoM Head of Communications in strategic decision-making and day-to-day operations by conducting landscape research, drafting high-level briefing materials, and contributing to the development of overall organisational positioning.
• Support the overall GCoM Communications Strategy: Support in developing and managing the overarching communications strategy, narrative, and annual work plan, ensuring alignment with GCoM's mission and strategic priorities.
• Narrative & Key Messaging: Drive the development and consistent application of the GCoM narrative. Develop and maintain the key message box for all GCoM spokespeople, including Board members and staff, ensuring message discipline and clarity across all platforms.
• Comms Working Group (C-TWG): Co-facilitate the administration and communications for the Comms Working Group (C-TWG), including coordinating meeting schedules, drafting agendas, and summarising key outcomes, with support from the Communications Officer.

Media Relations & Issues Management

• Proactive Media Engagement: Lead GCoM's media relations efforts, including proactive pitching of stories, thought leadership pieces, and announcements to global and regional media outlets.
• Strategic Partner Media Coordination: Serve as a primary media liaison for funders and partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the European Commission, C40 Cities, FGS Global, and the broader GCoM Alliance. This involves coordinating as needed to align on joint strategies, press releases, and announcements, ensuring message synchronisation during shared initiatives, major policy advocacy moments, and official events.
• Media Infrastructure: Create and maintain a comprehensive reporter contact list and media database, fostering strong relationships with key journalists and media influencers.
• Proactive media - GCoM strategy, external messaging, position stories with Journals: Drive the overall GCoM proactive media strategy, authoring core external messaging and talking points, and actively building relationships with editors and writers to strategically position GCoM program stories and announcements with target journals.
• Tracking & Analysis: Track media story placement and coverage. Manage and report on media metrics and analytics to assess performance and inform future strategy.
• Crisis Management: In close coordination with the Head of Communications, act as a primary resource for crisis management, rapidly developing communication responses, statements, and strategies to address sensitive or time-critical external issues, protecting GCoM's reputation.

Event Communications Planning & Execution

• High-Level Event Communications Support: Contribute to the planning and execution of communications for high-priority global events, such as I4C26, the GCoM 10-year anniversary, COP, and other significant convenings, ensuring seamless delivery.
• Strategy Development: Create robust communication strategies and concept notes for major events, outlining goals, target audiences, content streams, and media engagement plans.

Person Specification:

• 5-7 years of experience in a high-level communications role, with a significant focus on media relations and strategic planning, preferably within the non-profit, climate, or international development sectors.
• Experience working in or with city governments.
• Familiarity with the landscape of climate action, urban sustainability, and/or international organisations.
• Demonstrable expertise in proactive media pitching and relationships with international and climate-focused journalists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to develop compelling narratives, key messages, and formal communications strategies.
• Experience in issues management and crisis communication.
• Leadership qualities, including experience supervising and motivating busy colleagues in a fast-moving international environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively and flexibly across a global team, navigating diverse cultural contexts and multiple time zones.
• Fluency in English.
• Passion for environmental and climate issues; knowledge of global climate action is an advantage.
• Experience working for a global organisation.
• Excellent IT skills - Highly competent with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and conference call/webinar systems (e.g., Zoom), Google Drive.

Desirable:

• Experience in the field of climate finance.
• Experience working with creative agencies and other communications external suppliers. 
• Familiarity with the landscape of climate action, urban sustainability, and/or international organisations.
• Proficiency in a second UN language (e.g., Spanish, French).