Job Opportunity for Senior Manager – Communications at India Climate Collaborative in Mumbai

About us

The India Climate Collaborative (ICC), registered as ‘Council of Philanthropies for Climate Action’ (CPCA), is a collective working to identify critical sectors that need investment, drive funding towards climate solutions, and enable private and corporate philanthropy to engage more effectively with climate action. We work closely with the climate ecosystem, including research organisations, implementers, government stakeholders, businesses, and more, as well as engage with our domestic and international donor base to ensure that funding flows towards high-impact climate solutions. We were founded by some of India’s pre-eminent corporate and philanthropic leaders, including Rohini Nilekani, Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra, Nadir Godrej, and others.  

Our team is a small, tight‐knit group driven by a shared passion for achieving the ICC’s mission and vision. An ideal addition to our team is a self-starter, always willing to roll up their sleeves and get stuff done. We prefer candidates with a good eye for detail, commitment to a high quality of output, and a team-centric mindset. 

Role

The ICC is looking for a skilled Communications leader to spearhead our communications vertical and support our program and donor engagement teams. This role holds the responsibility of formulating and executing the ICC’s comprehensive communications strategy, engaging with media and stakeholders, and driving impactful messaging to propel climate action in India. The ideal candidate should possess a deep understanding of the Indian climate communications landscape, exhibit acute attention to detail, and thrive in a start-up environment of all hands-on-deck.

Role description:

Reporting to the Head of Engagement, Strategy & Operations, they will undertake the following key responsibilities across corporate, executive and crisis communications, media relations, narrative-building, as well as managing a high-calibre team:

• Lead the development and execution of the ICC’s strategic communications plan, while keeping organisational and sectoral objectives in mind.

• Develop and own ICC’s key messages and external narrative.

• Establish ICC as a prominent industry leader in the region, thereby reinforcing growth priorities, bolstering reputation, and enhancing brand recognition.

• Work cross-functionally to ensure the communications team has a strong understanding of the ICC’s programmes, events, and is representing its work accurately externally and internally. 

• Oversee the building and updating of a communication calendar for the ICC.

• Serve as the point person for reporters, journalists, and the media at large, empanelling and managing an agency as and when is required.

• Develop press releases, media kits, and media briefings, and coordinate media interviews and coverage for events and initiatives.

• Monitor media coverage and analyse trends, making necessary adaptations to communication strategies as required.

• Work with the CEO and senior leadership to ensure they’re representing ICC strategically.

• Oversee the design, and review of various content types, including case studies, videos, podcasts, executive speeches, social media posts, brochures, and infographics.

• Own the development and distribution of ICC’s Annual Report.

• Develop and track qualitative and quantitative metrics to gauge progress against desired goals, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and provide recommendations for further improvement.

• Implement crisis communication protocols and responses to manage potential reputational risks effectively.

• Manage internal communications to ensure transparency, alignment, and engagement across the organisation.

• Manage, support, and develop a small but mighty team of communications professionals, including a Brand Communications Sr. Associate responsible for digital media, as well as an Editorial Associate. 

These are an indicative list of roles and responsibilities. In short, the Communications Sr. Manager will be expected to own and operationalise all the aspects of the ICC’s Communications strategy and lead the communications team overall.

Requirements: 

• A bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant work experience in a communications role.

• Strong background in climate issues and a comprehensive understanding of the Indian climate landscape

• Prior experience in managing a team, showcasing effective leadership skills. 

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively across various stakeholder groups.

• Sound familiarity and relationships with the Indian media landscape, encompassing both online and offline platforms.

• Keen attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and precision in all communications. 

• Proficient project management skills, capable of multitasking and effectively managing conflicting deadlines. 

• Proficiency in creating and executing strategic communication plans that align with organisational objectives. 

• Skill in crafting thought-provoking, impactful thought leadership content that elevates the profiles of ICC leaders and climate experts. 

• Expertise in branding, enabling the positioning of the ICC as a driving force for climate action in India and highlighting the expertise of ICC members and faculty.

• Preferred prior experience in a communications role within the social sector.

• Ability to gather and synthesize information from various sources, presenting it coherently and professionally.

• Preferable experience in contracting and overseeing third-party vendors, such as designers, agencies, and artists.

• Strong analytical aptitude for developing and tracking qualitative and quantitative metrics, evaluating campaign effectiveness, and providing enhancement recommendations.

Timeline: Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and will be interviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the small capacity of our team, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.