Communications Director
For six decades, the World Press Photo Foundation has been working from its home in Amsterdam as an independent, nonprofit organization. In that time, the world has changed continuously, and new developments in the media and technology have transformed journalism and storytelling. Our mission has expanded, and we draw on our experience to guide visual journalists, storytellers, and audiences around the world through this challenging and exciting landscape.
With our worldwide exhibitions, events and festival, we showcase stories that make people stop, feel, think and act. Our annual contests reward the best in visual journalism and digital storytelling. Our programs - the 6x6 Global Talent Program, the African Photojournalism Database, the Joop Swart Masterclass, the Solutions Visual Journalism Initiative, and the West Africa Visual Journalism Fellowship - encourage diverse accounts of the world that present stories with different perspectives.
The World Press Photo Foundation is currently looking for a new Communications Director to provide strategic leadership for the overall World Press Photo brand and to inspire and lead the Communications team.
Communications Director
The communications team currently consists of 4 people who passionately work with the goal of maximising impact through developing and executing communications strategies to engage our different audiences with visual journalism.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for the overall World Press Photo brand
- Define and deliver a consistent and compelling communications strategy that strengthens World Press Photos Relationship with our worldwide audiences and networks
- Lead and manage the communications team on the development and delivery of the communications plan. This includes overall management of major media announcements and campaigns, digital infrastructure and online engagement, press and media plans, design and content development and brand oversight
- Coordinate crisis management, including communication to stakeholders, media and public
- Work with other departments to align plans and propose the appropriate resource allocation to meet organizational goals
- Deliver excellence and best practice across communications output and activities
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation across communications channels and platforms
- Report on the activities of the team and the progress against plans and objectives, represent the department in the management team, training and development of team members, and management of the communications budget.
Qualifications
We are looking for a creative and engaged communication and marketing professional. The dynamic and ever-evolving environment that we work in requires a strategic and practical approach, as well as problem-solving skills and a deep motivation to empower and translate vision into results. The new director drives for change and improvement and has a profound sense of personal responsibility and accountability for delivering high quality and original work within a set timeline.
- An advanced degree in communications, journalism, international relations, political science or related area
- 10+ years experience in a strategic marketing and communications leadership role
- Outstanding record of achievement at a senior level in (international) brand leadership, audience development and communications expertise
- Substantial experience with digital engagement and development
- Proven success directing strategic marketing and communications development in the cultural, non profit, or media and journalism industry of similar complexity
- Proficient in following innovations in media and digital channels and platforms, and ability to adjust approaches and communications tools to ensure optimization and delivery of WPP content
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Native or near native English speaker and writer (additional languages preferred)
- Experience in a culturally aware and international setting
- Broad general knowledge, understanding of developments in news and media, and cultural sensitivities
- Believes in World Press Photo's purpose and core values
General information
The World Press Photo Foundation strives to be an inclusive environment and is fully committed to this in the recruitment, selection and placement of staff. All interested parties, regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or gender, are welcome to apply and will be considered equally. The WPPF believes that diversity and inclusion among the staff is critical to its success and wants to enhance the diversity of its workforce to reflect the world we live in. Women, non-binary people, and people of color are therefore especially invited to apply.
At the moment, this position is only open to EU citizens or individuals with an existing and valid work permit for the EU.
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, please contact Erik Jager, HR Director (erik.j@worldpressphoto.org), +31 (0)6 55720076.
How to apply
Please respond in English before 10 May by filling in the application form. Please submit both your cover letter and resume as a pdf document. You can start your application by clicking the button 'Apply now'.