Interim Head of Communication

Client

NGO based in Brussels, acting in healthcare sector

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy that shapes the environment and contributes to the NGO's vision and mission, including overseeing the creation of communication plans, messaging frameworks, and key narratives, and designing the most optimized communication channel strategy to reach, engage, attract, and convert the audience into ambassadors.

• Lead, develop, and mentor a communications team (4-5 people internally and a network of communication professionals), fostering an environment of collaboration and excellence.

• Identify, leverage, optimize, and oversee the selection and management of external communication partners and vendors.

• Uphold and communicate the organizational identity and values across all platforms, embedding the NGO and its programs' core principles and ethos in communications that reflect commitments to societal impact.

• Oversee digital communication strategies, including social media management, content creation, and online reputation management, ensuring a cohesive and innovative presence across digital platforms.

• Lead crisis communication efforts, developing rapid response strategies to maintain the organization's reputation in challenging situations.

• Strategically map and engage with various stakeholders, including government entities, community groups, private sector partners, and the non-profit sector, to advance the organization's interests and enhance its standing.

• Actively engage in and nurture community development initiatives, developing communication strategies that support community projects and foster a sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the broader multi-stakeholder community.

• Monitor, analyze, and permanently optimize communication campaign performance, using data to inform future strategies and report on effectiveness. Leverage and optimize strategic tools (Hubspot, Google Analytics, etc.) to increase intelligence about stakeholders in the ecosystem.

• Manage the communications budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and return on investment.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in senior public affairs and communication roles, with demonstrated success in integrated communications strategy development.

• Strategically-minded and visionary, while also able to smoothly navigate between macro- and micro-levels, as needed.

• Exceptional leadership and team-management skills with prior successful people management experience.

• Fundraising and business development relevant experience.

• Patient and Public Involvement experience.

• Prior working experience in a quickly changing business environment.

• Solutions-oriented, proactive, and innovative approach with a hands-on attitude.

• Curious and open-minded, open to new ideas, concepts, and people.

• Strong understanding of digital and social media strategies.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• Proven ability to manage relationships with media, government, and other external partners.

• Crisis management experience and the ability to work under pressure.

• Proficiency in communication analytics and performance measurement tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• EU work permit.

• Social enterprising background.

• Experience working in the healthcare or environmental sector.

• Fluency in one or more foreign languages.