The Role

FILE supports a global network of partners bringing strategic legal action to further progress on climate and biodiversity. Ensuring these legal interventions can maximise their impact, FILE has developed a strategic communications programme to support our partners.

FILE itself maintains a discrete, low public presence, supporting our partners to communicate effectively to key audiences themselves.

The manager works within FILE to identify solutions to the needs of our partners and FILE’s strategies, by overseeing a portfolio of strategic communication partners and initiatives.

The manager reports to the Director of Strategic Communications, who will guide the strategy, and works closely with the grant manager for Strategic Communications.

The manager convenes partners and advises across our other portfolios as needed.

You will be a recognised strategic communications expert, with an excellent track record in developing and executing innovative communications plans. You will be self-organised, able to work independently but adapt to the wider team needs.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management (40%) – working with existing grantees to maximise impact of current grants and ensure they are supported and on-track. Developing existing ideas for grants, in collaboration with grants manager, to bring to pipeline or approvals. Scoping and developing other ideas in line with the strategic communications strategy.  Feeding into donor reporting on progress and insight on strat comms work. 

Convening and coordinating (25%) – Maintain and develop relationships with key strategic communications partners to convene and coordinate FILE’s grantees and other partners to support more joined up and impactful strategic communications work across the field. 

Cross-portfolio programme (20%) – Work closely with colleagues to identify and provide strategic communications input and advice as needed for other portfolios.  Provide advice and assistance to grantees directly, where needed, in developing their communications approaches and resourcing requirements. 

Impact and learning (10%) – Work with FILE’s Impact and learning, develop better understanding and approaches to understanding and measuring strategic communications impact and narrative change.  Providing insights and feedback on the portfolio to inform fundraising and donor-reporting.

Brand Management and Communications Risk Management (5%) –Manage FILE’s public communications risks and ensure preventative and responsive risk management.

Key Competencies

• Significant experience in communications, including building and executing strategies in response to the plans of an organisation;

• Proven track record of successfully fundraising for or making the case for projects that deploy a wide range of communication tools from stakeholder influence, public campaigning, press and PR;

• Experience of managing or supporting a network of partners, or being part of a collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiative;

• Exceptional communication skills; 

• Strong organisational and project management skills with an eye for detail;

• Track record of innovation and creative solutions;

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop relationships with staff at all levels and supporting others; 

• Demonstrable knowledge of climate change issues and an affinity with FILE’s mission and principles;

• Experience of managing contractors and consultants;

• An understanding of the philanthropy/grant making sector; and

• Additional languages a bonus

Diversity and Inclusion

FILE is committed to challenging inequality, valuing diversity in all areas of life. We firmly believe that we are strengthened by the diversity of our staff. We actively work to ensure an inclusive culture where colleagues feel welcomed and supported to succeed and thrive. FILE strongly encourages applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds and experiences, particularly those from under- represented or historically disadvantaged communities.

To apply

Please email your CV and introductory letter to our Recruitment team on careers@filefoundation.org with the subject line as the role job title. We can offer hybrid working and possibly remote options for work. Please indicate your location in your application.