Chief Communications Officer Full-time

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Communications Strategy – As a member of the Wikimedia Foundation’s senior team, develop and execute a forward-looking, comprehensive communications strategy. Provide perspective and guidance on current and emerging opportunities and challenges that influence the WMF’s ability to fulfill its mission and meet its goals. Develop and execute plans supporting high-priority initiatives.

Media Relations and Issues Management –The Wikimedia Foundation gets a lot of press interest, which it handles itself and also through a global network of chapter and volunteer spokespeople. In general, and unusually for an organization representing a famous brand, we tend to speak freely rather than aiming to control or restrict access to information about us. The CCO will maintain relationships with top-tier global media to increase media coverage of our priority initiatives and to respond to inquiries. Responsible for overseeing the media list and developing tracking mechanisms to chart progress of WMF initiatives and campaigns. Responsible for the drafting and editing of statements, FAQs and other media materials, as well as working with team members and partner agencies to ensure widespread distribution and follow-through. Serves as a public spokesperson for the WMF as needed. Equips other spokespeople, including volunteers, with media training, coaching and staffing. Ensures that Wikipedia and WMF founder Jimmy Wales is appropriately advised and supported.

In addition, responsible for ensuring information-sharing and mutual support of WMF communications staff and our diverse global community of chapter and volunteer spokespeople, on mailing lists and wikis. This includes media monitoring and sharing of stories and trends, soliciting input on draft planning, sharing background materials, developing key messages and coaching volunteers in how to respond to specific inquiries. Occasionally this will involve issues and crisis management, including the quick assimilation of large volumes of complex material and speedy development and execution of plans.

Internal Movement Communications – An important part of the CCO role is to ensure the Communications department acts as a central clearing house supporting the free flow of information in multiple languages from the WMF to community members, and from community members to each other and to the general public. This includes overseeing and guiding the work of staff and volunteers in the development and publishing of reports (including the WMF monthly activities reporting) and blog posts, the management of social media, and the facilitation of translation work. For the organization as a whole and particularly Finance, support timely publishing of plans, statements, reports and accompanying FAQs that uphold the WMF’s commitment to transparency, accountability and openness.

Branding – Oversee brand positioning and brand management, including on the WMF website and social media, in WMF recruiting collateral, in marketing and other materials developed by partner organizations, in guiding design and display decisions supporting a vibrant, creative office environment and in fundraising materials. For the Fundraising department, oversee design and production of the annual report and support development of other collateral materials. Support Legal and other departments in handling inquiries and requests related to the brands administered and protected by the WMF.

Leading staff – Manage, guide and coach communications team members and ensure the team is structured and resourced to accommodate the needs of the WMF.

REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for a senior-level strategic thinker with significant experience navigating complex international organizations, movements or networks. The successful candidate may well have handled communications for organizations involved in advocacy work, social movements, organizing, journalism or politics. He or she will have a track record of building consensus among large dispersed stakeholder groups and will have existing relationships with key members of the global media. This role requires political deftness, intellectual curiosity and a deep passion for the WMF mission.