Communications Manager

Junior Communications Manager – Germany (m/f/d)

Parental leave cover contract | hybrid, with travel to Cologne,
Berlin, Brussels | starting as soon as possible | 30-40 hours per
week

Who we are
ZOE, the Institute for Future-Fit Economies, is an independent think & do tank active in Germany and
in Brussels. We are dedicated to policy-oriented research and evidence-driven advocacy for a futurefit
economy. At the interface of politics, research, and civil society in the EU, we develop impulses for
an economy that enables people to live well within planetary boundaries.

We are a small communications team handling all aspects of communications and public relations
and working to build-up ZOE’s reach and recognition – in Brussels, Berlin and beyond. We value an
appreciative atmosphere, close collaboration, and willingness to learn. Further we offer:

• A motivating working environment in a small think & do tank that has become an
  established actor in Brussels in a short space of time
• A strategic, agile, value and purpose-oriented working style
• Flexibility of working time and place, supporting a healthy work-life-balance

The role
We are looking for a Junior Communications Manager to lead our press and communications work
in Germany. This role will sit within our small Communications team, and lead our German-language
external communications work. It will be responsible for strategic planning, creating and seizing
comms opportunities, as well as building relationships with media. This role will work directly with at
least two of our projects: Industrial Policy, and the New Economic Thinking ecosystem in Germany.
This role will also support ZOE’s digital presence, in both English and German, including website
development.

This position is a parental leave cover and currently foreseen for 12 months.

Key responsibilities
As part of a motivated and impact-driven team you will carry out a variety of tasks, including:

• Coordination of our external communications in Germany, in collaboration with our Executive
  Director and other members of our team, including strategic thinking, message
  development, creative brainstorming and other processes
• Media and political development monitoring, identifying and responding to opportunities
• Organisational tasks including project management and planning, and the organisation of
  events
• Development and management of our relationships with press and diverse media outlets in
  Germany, and briefing of spokespersons
• Creation of outputs for press, policymakers and other target groups, such as press
  releases, opinion pieces, quotes, factsheets and social media posts
• Supporting projects in disseminating outputs and tailoring messages to our key audiences,
  including targeting mid- to high-level policymakers in Germany, the European Commission,
  partners and the press

Visit us at www.zoe-institut.de/en 1

• Maintenance of the ZOE website (Wordpress) in collaboration with other members of the
  team.

This role suits someone with a proven, demonstrable desire to work in public policy communications
for social impact. The specific tasks and responsibilities will be agreed together based on the list
above and the selected candidate’s specific background, skills, preferences and the areas they wish
to develop.

Core competences

We are looking for people that share our core principles: value orientation, sustainability, agility, selforganisation.
Your profile would include the following skills, background, and knowledge:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in managing external communications
• At least 1 year of experience developing press relations and engaging with the media
• Excellent ability to tailor text to different audiences and comfort moving between audiences
  (e.g. academic, policy, media, broad public)
• Ability to spot and respond to communications opportunities
• Excellent attention to detail, and a strong motivation to deliver high-quality outputs
• Capability to work on several projects in parallel and to work with ease across projects and
  teams
• Native-level fluency in written and spoken German and excellent working capability in
  English
• Familiarity with CRM mailing systems, websites, social media and other dissemination
  channels
• Proven interest in and commitment to new economic thinking, macroeconomics,
  sustainability, EU policy, a green and just transition, etc.

In addition, some of the following competencies fit well into our team but are not a requirement:
policy communications and narratives, contacts within German policy networks, knowledge about
political decision-making processes, basic graphic design skills, and knowledge of participative and
co-creative processes such as design thinking.

Conditions
We are looking for someone to join our team for 30-40 hours per week for 12 months. The position
will start ideally 1st October 2024. We offer the possibility to work remotely and to be regularly
present at our offices in Cologne, Berlin, and Brussels.

The gross monthly salary for 40 hours per week is 3000-3500 euros, prorated for fewer hours. The
remuneration for this position is based on our internal salary framework, informed by the collective
agreement of the public service of the Länder. For a full-time (40 hours) position, 30 holiday days are
offered for 1 calendar year.

Diversity
We believe that our society’s behaviour disproportionately hurts the most marginalised people –
including people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities, women
and LGBTIQ people. We are committed to challenge this through our work for socially just
development and by creating a diverse workplace at our organisation. Hence, we strongly encourage
applications from people who are members of marginalised communities.

Application procedure
We are continuously accepting applications and encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please send: a) your CV (max 3 pages), b) a motivation letter (400-500 words) explaining why you
would like to work with ZOE Institute as a Communications Manager – Germany, and c) a sample of
your work (power point slides, publication, press release or similar) to applications@zoe-institut.de .

Visit us at www.zoe-institut.de/en 2

Please do not attach a photo to your application. Please state " Communications Manager " in the
subject line. If we shortlist you for an interview, we will get back to you as soon as possible with
dates for an online interview. In case of any questions please contact applications@zoe-institut.de .

Thank you very much for your interest in ZOE Institute.

Visit us at www.zoe-institut.de/en 3