Senior Manager (Science Communications)

The Science Communications and Impact Lead will provide strategic communications leadership and set and execute our communications strategy to increase visibility and raise awareness of the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, engage target stakeholders to strategically enhance the Centre’s impact and ensure nature and climate change remains a priority and visible in Singapore and Asia. Working closely in collaboration with colleagues across the Centre, Faculty, University and partners, you will lead all communications needs and issues and drive communications best practices at the Centre.

The ideal candidate will be creative and passionate about translating complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives and engaging content for a wide range of audiences, including the general public, the sustainability community, the corporate sector, academia and philanthropies. The role also includes identifying, developing, and executing events and opportunities to enhance understanding and engagement with the Centre among research users and other stakeholders from various sectors. This involves planning and implementing both proactive and reactive engagement and impact initiatives, maximizing the Centre’s engagement with non-academic audiences and research users and creating opportunities for impactful outcomes. Collaborating closely with research staff, the Lead will advise on engagement activities and contribute to communication and impact reporting for funded projects. With proven abilities in understanding, evidencing and communicating the impact of academic research, you will work closely with the Centre’s staff and students to showcase our research and amplify findings to drive the impact of our work.

We are seeking a dynamic, seasoned communications professional to lead, direct and oversee these efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, deliver and manage a comprehensive communications strategy for the Centre to support the achievement of the Centre's vision and strategic priorities, including tracking and measuring communications goals for accountability and progress
• Manage a small team and lead and oversee core areas of communications that support the communications strategy - corporate, media relations, digital, and communications materials
• Lead and implement communications and impact strategies for research projects and the Centre’s work in collaboration with team leads and project leads to generate visibility and impact
• Lead on delivering targeted communications outputs, research translation and engagement activities to showcase the Centre’s work, including op-eds, perspectives, events, conferences and project specific initiatives
• Develop high-quality, innovative content and collateral that effectively informs, motivates and engages external stakeholders across appropriate channels, including the Centre’s website and social media channels
• Keep abreast of discussions, issues and developments in the nature and climate space and identify and pursue opportunities to develop op-eds, press releases, perspectives and other outputs such as podcasts
• Actively take part in mentoring, supporting, encouraging and promoting capacity and capability across the Centre in all aspects of communication activity
• Support the development of speeches and speaking/briefing notes for the Centre Director
• Manage media enquiries and lead on media handling strategies and statements
• Work with internal stakeholders to contribute to the University’s sustainability efforts and corporate communications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, public relations or related discipline
• Master’s degree will be an added advantage

Experience

• At least seven years of experience in PR, communications, journalism or a related field, environment and sustainability background is a plus

Knowledge and Skills 

• Strong knowledge of communication practices, techniques and media relations
• Experience developing, implementing and evaluating effective communications strategies
• Demonstrated proficiency in social media management and content creation across various platforms
• High energy, maturity and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications and impact discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Ability to think creatively and collaboratively about all elements of communications work
• Excellent and versatile writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex scientific information into clear and engaging content for diverse audiences
• Ability to handle media enquiries, both proactive and reactive 
• A strong record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
• Highly collaborative style with prior experience working with a dynamic team
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to network within the research and policy sphere
• Strong managerial and leadership skills, including the ability to be a positive influence on team attitudes and capable of providing and receiving constructive feedback
• Passion for environment, climate, nature and development issues
• Experience in organizing and supporting communications and engagement for research a plus

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and portfolio (if applicable) to [email protected] with the subject “Application for Sci Comm and Impact Lead” by 31 March 2024.