JOB DESCRIPTION | Communications Lead
Summary
Role: Communications Lead
Type: Part-time Self-Employed | 2 days a week (with possible increase to 3 days)
Report: Director
Responsibility: Develop and deliver a core communications strategy across the Letters to the Earth digital platforms - social media, website and newsletter - as well as develop opportunities for ‘OOH’ out of home advertising and artworks. Lead on the design of campaigns and communications, creating content, scheduling posts and managing social media, and keeping website up to date.
Contract Period: 19th September – 16th December 2022 (13 weeks), before review and option for renewal and extension.
Fee: £200 per day (£5,200 for contract period on 2 days a week)
This job is not office based but remote - applications are open to those both nationally in the UK and internationally.
Application Deadline Midday Monday 12th September
Apply by sending your CV and no more than one A4 cover letter detailing why you are right for this job to letterstotheearth@gmail.com.
Interviews 15th/16th September.
We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK across all aspects of our work. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as those who identify as D/deaf and disabled. We operate an inclusive recruitment process. If you have any particular requirements which will support your application, please let us know at any point during the process. If applicants would like an informal discussion prior to submitting an application please email letterstotheearth@gmail.com
Who we are
Letters to the Earth launched in the UK in early 2019 as a global participatory creative campaign in response to the climate and ecological emergency. Children as young as 3, parents, teachers, renowned climate scientists, journalists, activists, indigenous elders, business leaders, writers such as Ben Okri, actors such as Mark Rylance and artists such as Yoko Ono have taken part.
Via the simple, accessible and personal invitation to write a Letter, people have the opportunity to connect with their innermost concerns for the world, with nature, and with a wider sense of community, vision and purpose for the future. Thousands of people have written and shared a letter - to or from the Earth, future or past generations, other species, or people in positions of power. We platform these voices and messages to raise awareness of the climate and nature emergency, connect people and stimulate the will to act.
Letters to the Earth has led internationally recognised campaigns with the involvement of leading cultural and political figures including fashion designer and activist Dame Vivienne Westwood, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. In 2020 Letters to the Earth was nominated Best Campaign by Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Green Awards. Our award-winning book Letters to the Earth; Writing to a Planet in Crisis, published by HarperCollins in the UK and US and introduced by Emma Thompson and illustrated by Jackie Morris, chronicles for the first time how humanity is processing the planetary emergency.
In 2021 Letters to the Earth took its campaign to COP26 and developed as an organisation producing educational resources (winner of Global Dimensions Teachers Choice Award 2022), leading bespoke workshops, producing cultural events and artworks, and building cross-sector partnerships.
Our purpose is to inspire a transformation of the world into one which values and prioritises all life on Earth, where humanity learns to co-exist in balance with the Earth’s ecosystems. We believe that all voices matter and we believe in each person’s capacity for radical imagination and change.
Role
We are looking for a Communications Lead with initiative, drive and imagination to upgrade our communications platforms based upon our revised strategy. You will work closely with the Director at this pivotal moment of developing Letters to the Earth as an organisation with longevity, with input from our Brand Strategist, consultants, volunteers and campaign partners. As projects in the lead up to COP27 get confirmed, you will lead on their media campaigns (with additional budget).
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the design, coordination and delivery of a fully comprehensive and integrated communications strategy and a variety of media campaigns with partners.
You will:
· Define our core messaging, voice and personality in line with our existing brand toolkit to connect with target audiences
· Work with a team of volunteer readers to identify key quotes and voices from our body of Letters
· Lead on writing blogs, newsletters, press releases and copy for all external communications according to our wider strategy and timeline of activity, with the support of the Director
· Organise and curate paid digital advertising within budget
· Work with the team to explore and develop strategic relationships with brands, institutions and out of home advertising opportunities for our Letters to be seen by everyone everywhere
· Evaluate and update our website on a regular basis
· Create, store and organise digital content for regular posting
· Manage the daily activity on social media channels with the aim of driving engagement, building audiences and increasing web traffic
· Identify and connect with key social influencers who have relevant networks for our target audiences
· Support the design of organisational pitch decks for fundraising and project development
· Collaborate with the sales, marketing and PR teams of partners to coordinate campaign communications and activation plans
· Monitor & manage consistency across all brand touch-points and channels
· Provide regular analysis & reporting of communications and web platforms with key learnings + strategic recommendations
· Keep abreast of global news, events, movements, debate and thought-leadership in response to the climate and ecological emergency
· Advocate for and represent Letters to the Earth at global conferences, events and meetings.
Essential
· Strong writing and editing skills
· Strong graphic design skills, proficient with Canva and photo editing software
· Experience of using Mailchimp and ability to maintain, integrate and update web platforms
· Experience of managing multiple social media platforms with track record of creating and posting dynamic reels, stories and posts with high engagement
· Ability to multi-task and deliver work to deadline
· Demonstrable engagement with and commitment to climate justice, nature connection/restoration and change-making
· A personable and committed individual with strong relationship-building skills
· Passion to build diversity in the transition to net 0, as a proactive ally of movements, groups and individuals addressing historic injustices and in solidarity with communities living with the impacts of climate change
· A belief in the power of culture and art to contribute to creating a regenerative future
· Enthusiasm and belief in the work of Letters to the Earth and the energy and skills to lead its evolution with a small team
Desirable
· A minimum of 5 years experience in brand marketing including content, creative, design, PR, social, digital, promotions, sponsorship
· Confidence in building strategic plans based on insights, setting KPIs and delivering those with monthly reports
· You will be comfortable with campaign launches
· Established networks and relationships in the climate and ecological movement
· Experience in PR management with national and international media
More About Us…
Partners
We work with and within “sectors of change” that have the responsibility and potential to reach net 0 emissions faster: political, corporate, financial spaces and global climate conferences. Partners include leading B Corp businesses such as Vivobarefoot, Aviva, Riverford Organic and Triodos.
Born within the cultural sector, we continue to work with movements such as Culture Declares Emergency, organisations such as Roundhouse London, creative agencies including Glimpse, Richard Curtis’ Project Everyone as well as a wide range of arts festivals and global media partners.
Educational partners include the Primary Science Teaching Trust, UNICEF’s World’s Largest Lesson and Devon Wildlife Trust.
We build relationships with key individuals and trusted messengers within the climate movement and we actively engage a diversity of celebrities. We have partnered with other climate movements and campaigns such as Parents for a Future, Zero Hour and Fridays for Future.
Culture
Letters to the Earth was founded and developed mainly thanks to the labour of love of many volunteers and activists. It is undergoing organisational development with a small core team of professionals, still connected to the wider climate movement. The values underpinning our work are collaboration, connection and inclusivity. We are brave, imaginative, compassionate and dynamic. We are committed to climate and social justice and building a regenerative way of living in which all humans and all life thrive. We care for ourselves and each other in the work that we do, incorporating cycles of reflection and improvement.
Transform your grief into love; your rage into action