Director of External Communications

As Director of External Communications, you will lead a global strategy that strengthens Plan International's influence, amplifies the voices of girls and young people, and protects and enhances the organisation's reputation worldwide. You will manage and coordinate communications activities across all Plan International entities to enhance visibility and position the organisation as a global leader in child rights advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide global strategic leadership for the organisation’s external communications, ensuring integration and alignment among international teams to meet communications objectives effectively.
• Lead and develop two direct reports and their teams (totaling around 12 members), recruiting and nurturing high-performing talent while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with communications colleagues across Plan International’s entities, promoting best practices and collaboration to enhance overall communications quality and coherence.
• Drive ethical and powerful storytelling that reflects Plan International’s core values, including anti-racism and safeguarding, ensuring all content authentically represents development and emergency response work.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of digital and social media campaigns that increase public awareness, engagement, and support for Plan International’s mission and strategic campaigns.
• Champion the organisation's brand strategy, ensuring a bold, consistent global presence that amplifies Plan International’s unique role as a protector of child and girls’ rights worldwide.
• Lead timely and effective communications responses to global events and emergencies, collaborating closely with regional hubs and country offices to maintain readiness and deliver impactful messaging during crises.
• Provide expert guidance on reputational risk management, acting as the primary contact for crisis communications, and advising senior leadership and stakeholders on navigating complex issues with transparency and integrity.
• Drive innovation by integrating emerging communication technologies, particularly those popular among youth, to keep Plan International at the forefront of digital engagement.
• Ensure the ongoing publication of high-quality reports and reviews, elevating Plan International’s thought leadership and research impact to diverse audiences through innovative platforms and media.

Requirements

• Extensive experience leading communications teams within complex international environments, with a proven track record of success in brand management and strategic communications.
• Deep knowledge of international affairs, particularly issues affecting children and youth, and the ability to anticipate and respond to global trends that impact the sector.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire and develop diverse teams across multiple locations.
• Strong expertise in media relations, digital communications, and public relations strategies, including extensive experience working with international media outlets.
• Proven ability to lead and manage reputation and crisis communications, with experience advising senior executives and managing complex risk scenarios.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging and influencing a wide range of audiences including governments, donors, partners, and the public.
• Commitment to Plan International’s mission and values, with a personal dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding principles.
• English is essential; proficiency in French or Spanish is highly desirable.
• Location can be flexible where Plan International has an office that can employ on behalf of the Global Hub and the candidate has the pre-existing right to work and live there.
• Working hours that align with the UTC timezone are preferred.
• Permanent or maximum fixed term contract as per employing office’s standard terms and conditions.

Skills

• Strategic Communications
• Brand Management
• Media Relations
• Digital Communications
• Public Relations Strategies
• Reputation management
• Crisis Communication
• Communications Leadership
• Team Management
• International Relations Knowledge
• Risk Management
• Executive Advising
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Children's Rights Advocacy
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Safeguard Principles

Languages

English, French, Spanish