Associate Director, Sustainability, Social Impact and Purpose

The Edelman sustainability, social impact and purpose team is growing. We help build trust between companies, institutions and citizens. Weadvise Edelman’s biggest clients on their strategies and programmes to deliver positive social and environmental impactand build their reputation with all stakeholders, from investors to consumers. We develop and deploy stand out purpose positioning and communications that stand-out in culture. Today our work includes advisingorganisations across Edelman’s enviable client list including Unilever, IKEA, Mars, Astra Zeneca, Haleon, Chanel and WBCSD.

With deep specialist expertise, complemented with a passion for the potential for effective action-led communication to drive real impact in the world, you will help the world’s biggest brands connect with their audiences, by working collaboratively across the entire Edelman network to deliver measurable societal, reputational and commercial impact. We work in close partnership with our research and strategy colleagues, and client teams in our Brand and Corporate practices. 

In order to continue to grow and deliver at a pace, we’re now looking for an energetic and ambitious Associate Director to play a lead role in supporting the growth of this specialist function with a particular focus on sustainability advisory, strategy and storytelling campaigns. This role is based in London with the opportunity to work on EMEA and global projects.

You will also work in collaboration with senior team colleagues to continue to build and refine our offer and product set. Additionally, using key insights and Edelman’s owned IP, particularly the Trust Barometer, you will develop strong strategic platforms and perform with professional integrity to become a trusted counsel to top-tier clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Expert leadership for selected sustainability, social impact and purpose projects, providing expert advice to our clients and colleagues on their strategies and campaigns as part of an integrated team
• Advising clients confidently and maturely on impactful campaigns to drive reputation on environmental and social issues, including PR, digital, social and content creation and measurement
• Leading team in market research, landscaping and analysis, including multi-sector stakeholder mapping, to inform strategies and provide informed consultancy to clients
• Developing impact programme proposals, defining change theories and establishing third-sector partnerships to deliver and scale societal impact
• Corporate and brand sustainability communications narrative development, including impact-focused content development for multiple channels
• Working alongside London and global sustainability, social impact and purpose colleagues on major client projects and pitches, and alongside global, EMEA and UK client teams as a strategic advisory partner
• Be responsible for finances, including accurate scoping, forecasting and capacity planning on key accounts
• Overseeing efficient and timely delivery of campaigns within budget
• Taking responsibility for the continuing development of our offer and team, developing junior team members, and line management responsibilities
  
  

Experience, Skills And Qualifications Required

• Proven experience working with leading businesses and brands on sustainability, social impact or purpose strategies and campaigns – a breadth of experience across environmental and social sustainability campaigns is preferred
• Confidence in working with multidiscipline client-side teams – for example, experience working with corporate affairs, marketing, sustainability, procurement and HR teams within a client organisation
• Experienced in theories of change, behaviour change, impact measurement and reporting
• Experience in multi-sector stakeholder mapping
• Proven ability to develop and manage multistakeholder partnerships focused on positive environmental and societal impact
• Strong creative capabilities and best in class delivery of campaigns end to end
• Strong understanding of digital and other technologies for storytelling and communications
• Experience of working with brand research and social impact measurement
• Proven ability in identifying areas of growth and opportunity for clients
• Proven team leadership skills with the ability to inspire
• Global experience and mindset: understanding of diverse global market needs and cultural nuances.
• Demonstrated personal interest, curiosity and knowledge in the challenges and solutions in creating a just and regenerative world
  
  

Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Age’s 2019 A-List; the Holmes Report’s 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle).

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