Forum for the Future - Development and Communications Director

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR APRIL 2022

ABOUT FORUM FOR THE FUTURE Forum for the Future is an independent, global non-profit with a mission to accelerate systems change for a just and regenerative future.

Forum for the Future is a leading international sustainability non-profit motivated by a belief that a better future for people and planet is not only possible, but within our grasp.

We know that time to tackle the defining issues of our times - from rising inequality and crashing biodiversity to climate change and economic crisis - is rapidly running out. We also know that these challenges cannot be tackled by any single organisation acting alone.

That’s why, for more than 25 years, we’ve been working in partnership with ambitious businesses, governments and civil society to transform how we live and work.

People and organisations need to think and act very differently today if they are to thrive tomorrow, and Forum’s mission is to create a truly just and regenerative future in which no-one is left behind. That means

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using systems change and futures expertise to help tackle the climate emergency, transform our food and farming systems, and ensure the supply chains behind everyday goods and services are more resilient and equitable.

Examples of our current projects include Cotton 2040, which is working to mainstream sustainable cotton; Renewable Energy to Responsible Energy Initiative, a multi-year programme in Asia with social and ecological goals; Growing our Future, to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture in the United States; The Local Just Transition Challenge, for Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in the UK; A Compass for Just and Regenerative Business and other programmes and projects.

ABOUT THE TEAM This role sits within Forum’s Development and Communications’ team. Our aim is to raise our brand profile, build long-term funding relationships and grow income to drive systems change for sustainability. We are part of a wider multi-cultural team of more than 80 people, with offices in London, Mumbai, New York, and Singapore.

Forum brings together people from multiple disciplines - from ecology to social inequality, and design to sociology - as change designers and strategists.

OUR WORK ENVIRONMENT We believe in being courageous, adaptive, inquisitive, respectful, empathetic and playful. You can read more about our organisational values here. These values help build our common culture, shape our shared purpose and guide us in all actions and decisions. We are inspired by the world in which we live and those with whom we share it and seek to act justly in all we do.

We enjoy working in teams, collaborating, and learning from each other. We are a dynamic, flexible and supportive team of people who care about each other’s wellbeing and the world around us.

At Forum, we aspire to foster positive team spirit and to provide the best possible working environment for all our staff; one that is based on the highest standards of ethics, honesty, integrity, openness and transparency.

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THE ROLE TITLE: Development and Communications Director LOCATION:

London, UK

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Chief Executive

SALARY:

£70,000 - £85,000

As a member of Forum’s Senior Management Team, reporting to the Chief Executive, the Development and Communications Director holds accountability for ensuring that the organisation’s income generation, external relationships and communications efforts effectively support the overall organisational strategy, and for ensuring the integrity, differentiation and relevance of the organisation’s positioning. This role is critical to delivering Forum’s ambitions for significant income growth from £6.8M in 2022 to c£8M in 2025.

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ORGANOGRAM Development and Communications Director

Associate Director, Global Development (USA)

Senior Global Development Manager

Partnerships Development Advisor

Fundraising Development Advisor

Digital Manager (India)

Associate Director – Head of Marketing and Communications

Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

Digital Communications and PR Executive

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Communications & Marketing Manager (Singapore)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCOME GENERATION • Lead the development and evolution of an overarching income generation strategy for Forum that will ensure the organisation has sufficient income and the right income mix (blend of philanthropic and fees for services) to drive the change it aspires to create in the world, including a growth strategy for core and philanthropic income.

• Work closely with country directors and workstream leads to implement the strategy, including annual planning and regular reviews of progress against those plans.

• Work closely with the Director of Global System Change Programmes and country directors to collaboratively design multi- year programmes that are fundable and demonstrate impact according to Forum’s theory of change.

• Lead on organisational development and capacity building to integrate fundraising and income generation capabilities and best practice across teams, with a particular focus on multiyear philanthropic funded programmes.

• Build relationships with key global

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funders, funding networks and donor collaborates across philanthropy, government and corporate funders • Hold a strategic view of how the market for funding is changing across Forum’s geographies, using this to inform the income generation strategy.

COMMUNICATIONS • Lead the development of Forum’s brand positioning and profile, in support of organisational strategy.

• Ensure that Forum has a coherent communications and marketing strategy that will support its ongoing growth, development and impact, and provide strategic oversight to ensure the strategy is being delivered effectively through cross-organisational leadership, annual planning, and regular evaluation and review.

• Provide strategic oversight to ensure the integrity, differentiation and relevance of the organisation’s positioning and brand.

• Ensure Forum is at the cutting edge of using communications to engage and influence decision makers and other

change makers through inspirational thought leadership and through the deployment of strategic partnerships.

• Lead cross-organisational efforts to ensure relevant individuals within the organisation are equipped with skills they need to support effective communications.

ORGANISATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT • Act as sponsor and strategic lead for income generation as part of the senior management team, to ensure income generation strategies deliver sustainable income growth and programmatic impact.

• Work closely with the COO to refine and adapt the business model, organisational structure and governance models to support delivery of Forum’s strategic plan.

• Lead risk management and due diligence for external audiences across the organisation, ensuring that income generation, reputation and organisational development risks are anticipated, managed and mitigated effectively.

• Lead and enable development of strategic partnerships that maximise income, non-financial value and impact; ensure the organisation has the processes in place to manage these relationships effectively.

TEAM LEADERSHIP • Lead the development of a thriving global team that is inspired and equipped to deliver on Forum’s income generation and communications needs through recruiting, leading, coaching and developing staff.

• Manage annual planning and budgeting for the development and communications team.

• Model ongoing personal development, and take a values-led approach to work and leadership that is inclusive and diverse and a focus on own wellbeing.

OTHER • Any other task as may be reasonably required by the Chief Executive or the Board of Trustees.

ACCOUNTABLE FOR • An organisational-wide income generation strategy that supports delivery against the long-term strategic vision, with coherence across our funding and programme planning.

• The organisation is delivering on its overall income generation needs and building financial resilience for the future.

• Forum has clear organisational positioning and articulation of its brand, which is effectively supporting organisational goals.

• Forum’s income generation and communications strategies are effectively supporting the organisation’s development and impact aspirations.

• Income generation, reputation and organisational development risks are anticipated and effectively managed.

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CAPABILITIES REQUIRED FUNDRAISING AND INCOME GENERATION • Proven experience of fundraising strategy planning, development and implementation • Strategic, intuitive relationship builder with proven experience of driving fundraising income from statutory institutions, major foundations, global corporations and high net worth individuals.

• Experience of leading and managing a Fundraising function for an international organisation.

• Ability to develop strong partnership working with key stakeholders across a range of organisations including the private and public sectors in the UK and globally, ideally with the experience in one or more of India, Singapore and the US.

COMMUNICATIONS • Expertise in shaping corporate communications strategies that increase brand profile and influence stakeholders across sectors and in different markets, as well as crafting strategies that deliver system-wide change and influence.

• Specialist knowledge in the use of traditional and digital communications to influence and create change, and ability to apply this knowledge to drive sustainable development.

• Proven experience defining, leading and delivering leading-edge projects using communications techniques.

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• Experience working closely with a communications function.

• Experience of leading a communications function in an international organisation.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP • Understanding of, and a commitment to, Forum’s mission and values.

• Experience of working in a senior strategic role or closely with a Senior Management Team in providing leadership; setting strategy, formulating plans and budgets.

• Proven ability to build and manage teams, enabling staff to thrive and be satisfied at work.

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

• Highly developed interpersonal and presentation skills and an ability to communicate at senior corporate level, and make full use of a range of communication vehicles and social media.

• Ability to work effectively across a matrixed international structure and navigate ambiguity in emergent processes.

• Able to manage remotely and use a range of digital communication tools.

• Personally resilient and self-motivating.

• Experience of working or delivering projects internationally.

• Flexibility and willingness to work internationally and travel.

HOW TO APPLY All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter in two different documents, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The documents should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Pat-Jones-CV-042022-Forum-forthe-Future or Pat-Jones-CoverLetter-042022-Forum-for-the-Future Please note that all our clients recruiting in the UK are legally obliged to confirm that the appointee is eligible to work in the UK. As of 1 January 2021, government’s new regulations will apply. For further information visit the Home Office website.

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TIMELINE Closing Date: 28th May 2022 First stage interviews: Week 6th June Final interviews: Week 20th June

SELECTION PROCESS All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

EQUALITY STATEMENT Equality and diversity are at the core of Forum for the Future values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

QUERIES If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at forum-for-the-future@ oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.

ABOUT OXFORD HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels.

We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy.

Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our client.

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OXFORD

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www.oxfordhr.co.uk | Company No. 6456325

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