GPPi Seeks a Communicator-in-Chief

The Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi), an independent, non-profit think tank, seeks a new full-time colleague to spearhead our communications and help us spread the word about our ideas in a bold, credible and accessible way.

At GPPi, communication is everyone’s job: our individual researchers and project teams play a strong role in planning and implementing communications activities such as hosting and speaking at events, briefing decision-makers, placing op-eds, or otherwise engaging with the media. Our communications team supports our thematic work by advising on strategy, managing the institute’s outreach channels (newsletter, websites, social media), running a high-quality editorial process, and producing most of our published products (printed, digital and audio-visual).

Taking over from our current Communicator-in-Chief, Katharina Nachbar, this new colleague will oversee the communications portfolio at GPPi and assume responsibility for our brand and tone of voice across all channels. You will also manage a small team of colleagues who provide day-to-day editorial and design as well as creative support. Sooner or later, depending on prior experience, you will be expected to drive new formats and initiatives.

In addition to laying out what we are looking for, the below is meant to give you a better sense of what to expect from the role. Even if you feel you cannot tick every box, we still encourage you to apply. In the same spirit, if you have work or volunteer experience in other, even unrelated fields, feel free to explain how what you have learned is relevant to this position. We believe many professional skills are transferable.

Among other responsibilities and tasks, you will: 

  • Direct GPPi’s editorial workflows, publications, web presence, and social media channels and manage our communications team, including by serving as a resource for other communications colleagues;
  • Serve as a sparring partner for colleagues in the institute’s different thematic areas and work with them to design, plan, and realize targeted outreach and dissemination measures;
  • Spearhead our overall communications strategy in conversation with GPPi’s management team; 
  • Develop and manage communications budgets in tandem with project managers;
  • Serve as a quality manager and clearinghouse for various GPPi products;
  • Write and edit copy for different channels and formats and help your colleagues craft compelling messages that resonate with different target audiences;
  • Work with external copyeditors, designers, web developers, and other service providers;
  • Drive our experimentation with new ways of getting our messages across;
  • Help your colleagues become more effective communicators by finding ways to share your expertise and build decentralized comms know-how at the institute.

This is a full-time position based at GPPi’s Berlin office. While flexible working hours and periods of remote work are possible, we expect the successful candidate to be based in and primarily work from Berlin.

This role might be for you if: 

  • You are a creative self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to juggle multiple projects and tasks without losing your cool; 
  • You know how to keep an overview while sweating the small stuff; 
  • You have a passion for language, enjoy editing and improving other people’s drafts, and have a knack for writing crisp and accessible copy;
  • You have a talent for hitting the right tone and distilling abstract concepts or complicated ideas into accessible language and visuals;
  • You follow technological trends and easily adopt new web-based tools; 
  • You are structured and have no trouble organizing yourself as well as others;
  • You value collaboration, thrive in small teams, and enjoy fast-paced work environments;
  • You are interested in all things international affairs and public policy and enjoy communicating about a variety of topics, from economic security to humanitarian assistance to AI regulation. 

Required and Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

  • Outstanding writing skills in English (being a native or near-native English speaker will be considered a plus);
  • Initial project and budget management experience;
  • Sound editorial judgment and strong attention to detail; 
  • Proven experience in overseeing and developing social media channels;
  • A knack for relevant technology, demonstrated experience managing websites, and the ability to quickly learn and handle new content management systems;
  • Creativity and a good eye for what is on brand;
  • Some experience in media relations and working with journalists;
  • Initial experience managing a team and supervising other colleagues;
  • An interest in GPPi’s main fields of work;
  • A strong academic background (BA, MA or equivalent) in a relevant field such as – but not limited to – journalism, communications, PR, marketing, public policy, political science, or international relations.

Further assets are:

  • A good command of German (additional languages are always a plus);
  • Experience working in or adjacent to a political environment (think tanks, advocacy NGOs, parliament, ministries, international organizations, etc.)
  • Experience with CRM and/​or web analytics applications, and an interest in determining what success in communications looks like (and how it can be measured).

Starting date: As soon as possible. We plan to hold final interviews on September 2 – 4 and hope to be able to welcome our new colleague no later than January 1, 2025, ideally earlier.

Additional Information

GPPi offers a dynamic, collaborative work environment in the center of Germany’s capital and an international team working in a strong global network. Our working language is English. We encourage applications from anywhere in the world and will support the right candidate with the relevant visa and work permit procedures.

Remuneration for this position depends on qualifications and experience as determined by our framework of roles and salary brackets, which we apply across the institute.

GPPi strives to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for colleagues of all backgrounds. We welcome and encourage applications from interested individuals regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability status, sexual orientation, race, religion, or belief.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following documents to applications@​gppi.​net:

  • A single PDF document with your CV (no Europass and no pictures, please);
  • A brief letter of interest; 
  • 2 – 3 samples of or references to previous relevant work (texts you may have edited or written, web links to social media channels you may have run, publications, podcasts or videos you may have produced, websites you may have managed, etc.), with a brief note describing the nature of your involvement and extent of your responsibility.

Please make sure to clearly state​“Communicator-in-Chief, GPPi” in the subject line. Please also clearly indicate in the email when you’d be available to start.

Closing date for applications: We will accept applications until August 4, 2024. Early applications are encouraged and you can expect to hear back within three weeks. After that, or if you have questions about the formal requirements for the position, you are welcome to inquire via email to applications@​gppi.​net.