Job Description

Our client is a not-for-profit, international membership organization that has close to 5,000 members from 99 countries, including producers, processors, traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks, and non-governmental organizations.

They are currently searching for a Head of Communications to be based in their HQ in Malaysia.

Reporting to the Director, Stakeholder Engagement & Communications, the Head of Communications plays a key role in the development of an effective and succinct communication strategy that increases the organization's visibility and reputation as a standard setter and thought leader in sustainable development, climate change, environmental protection, and human rights, working closely with other colleagues across the organization to reach a larger share of the commercial market and promote their mission to make it an accepted sustainable product.

The Head of Communications is building, managing, and coaching a best-in-class team to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in day-to-day operations and crisis situations.

Please contact Priya Bala or email your CV directly in word format with job reference no. JO0000007973 to .

Please note that due to the high number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us in the next 5 business days we regret to inform you that your application for this position was unsuccessful. MalaysiaCareers@theedgepartnership.com

Key responsibilities

• Establish an integrated communications strategy to deliver core objectives.
• Drive and support regional and local communications plans that are aligned with the core messaging and branding.
• Manage state-of-the-art media relations, build relationships, and manage contacts with key journalists, editors, and other media stakeholders; manage the global voice of the organization in daily business and crisis situations by being the spokesperson as required.
• Coordinate global PR activities including media training, interviews, press conferences and media tours to oil palm producing countries, and manage global and/or regional PR agencies when required.
• Conduct and evaluate media monitoring and work with global and regional teams on issue/crisis/risk management and reputation reporting for Senior Leadership and Board of Governors.
• Lead on content creation and planning for global communications and marketing material across multiple formats, languages, and channels.
• Coordinate in-house and external teams to develop stories of interest, proactive messaging, talking points, position papers and speeches.
• Conceptualize, plan, and conduct physical, hybrid and/or online events of different sizes and for different target groups and support other divisions with their requirements. In this regard, ensure consistency and compliance with the Brand and Standards.
• Establish an internal communications strategy in collaboration with HR and senior leadership and ensure organizations initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to secretariat staff.
• Together with the Director Stakeholder Engagement & Communications identify speaking opportunities, and provide talking points and speeches for CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and key organizational spokespeople to expand the organization's reach.
• Align with and support other Divisions and Senior leadership teams with their communications activities, particularly content creation and publication for key documents and enhance communications capacity across the organization.
• Be a champion of the organizational style guide and supervise visual branding and promotional projects (from concept to implementation to evaluation), liaising with staff and vendors.
• Provide management, supervision and coaching of in-house designer and copywriters.
• Manage the unit's budget: set targets, track expenses, and oversee external contracts with vendors.
• Build, mentor, and lead a team promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.

• At least 10 years or more of communications, outreach, and marketing experience, preferably in a management role within international multicultural organizations (commercial or non-profit), working across different time zones. The ideal candidate can cover areas such as communications strategy, content development, media relations, brand management, and global multi-stakeholder communications.
• The ability to take knowledge and transform it into exciting and useful messages and disseminate it in the right language and to the right audiences through the best channels is critical.
• Proven management and leadership skills, including evidence of crafting and successfully executing significant communication campaigns.
• Track record of successfully managing teams, and experience of showcasing and executing leadership in a multi-national, and multi-cultural scale.
• Highly collaborative style: experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and has an in-depth understanding of the Global press and social media.
• Excellent written, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• Relationship builder with the flexibility and finesse to "manage by influence".
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, RSPO members, stakeholders, and other supporters.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high-performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.