Employment Type - Full time (Please note, where PRI has an office there is an expectation to work a minimum of 2 days per week)
Location - Hybrid · London, City of, UK OR U.S. (NYC, Boston, DC, Chicago) strongly preferred
Closing: 11:59pm, 26th Apr 2026 BST
About the PRI
The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.
The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.
- Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice
- Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action
- Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change
About the Role
The Director of Communications provides senior strategic communications leadership for PRI, using communications as a deliberate lever to reinforce PRI’s value, credibility and coherence with signatories and external stakeholders. The role shapes the external narrative, protects and enhances reputation, and translates complex technical and policy work into clear, decision‑useful messages that strengthen the enabling environment for responsible investment.
Key Focus Areas
Narrative, positioning & brand voice
- Build and maintain PRI’s global narrative architecture (core messages, lexicon, proof points) adaptable across regions and audiences (signatories, policymakers, standard setters, multilaterals, media, and partners).
- Ensure every major outward‑facing moment reflects PRI’s mission, neutrality and value.
Policy, standards & market change translation
- Convert complex developments into concise explainers, media lines, and executive messages.
- Sequence communications around key external milestones to support signatory understanding and media clarity.
Media strategy & issues leadership
- Own global media relations: proactive agenda‑setting with tier‑one financial, policy and sustainability outlets; disciplined reactive protocols.
- Lead issues/crisis communications: horizon scanning, scenarios, holding statements, rebuttals, and spokesperson preparation.
Executive visibility (external)
- Provide counsel and content for the Interim CEO and senior leaders for external speeches, op‑eds, interviews and priority convenings.
Measurement & continual learning
- Set communications outcomes and KPIs (e.g., message recall, earned trust/accuracy indicators, quality of coverage, stakeholder comprehension).
- Run a quarterly learning cycle to refine messages, formats and targeting.
Core Responsibilities
- Own and deliver a multi‑year communications strategy aligned with the CEO Office’s priorities and PRI’s mission.
- Maintain a message & evidence bank (data points, case studies, FAQs) that underpins consistent, defensible communications.
- Lead global media relations: build trusted relationships; brief regularly; manage embargoes; coordinate regional pitching; oversee media training.
- Establish and run issues management: risk register, escalation matrix and rapid‑response workflows.
- Oversee the editorial calendar and content commissioning across channels (web, social, newsletters, multimedia).
- Partner with programme, policy and regional leaders to ensure external communication is timely, accurate and audience‑appropriate.
- Set KPIs and dashboards; generate quarterly insights for the CEO Office; adjust tactics based on evidence.
- Lead and develop a diverse, high‑performing global communications team; manage partners/agency relationships and budget.
Person Specification and Selection Criteria
- Senior communications leader in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment (investment/financial services, policy, multilateral or mission‑driven).
- Proven track record in issues/crisis management and executive counsel, including media performance in high‑scrutiny contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical policy/market content into concise narratives for external audiences.
- Global media relationships and experience operating across multiple regions and time zones.
- Team leadership experience, including building systems, coaching senior spokespeople, and managing agencies and budgets.
- Well developed people management skills and experience of leading a team.
- Exceptional editorial judgement and writing for executive voice.
- Diplomatic, non‑partisan communicator; comfortable in contested information environments.
- Data‑driven; uses analytics to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
- Collaborative, high‑accountability operator who elevates others’ work.
We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non‑visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.
The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.
N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.
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