Global Communications Lead

We're seeking an experienced and strategic communications leader to shape and deliver Proforest's global communications vision. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with extensive communications, marketing or knowledge management experience to strengthen Proforest's global brand, amplify our thought leadership, and lead a geographically dispersed communications network across multiple regions.

Job Description

Who Are We?

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation that provides a consultancy service working throughout agricultural supply chains supporting the production and sourcing of agricultural and forest commodities that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes for People, Nature and Climate. These cover issues such as protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems, respecting worker’s rights, advancing gender equality, and engaging with communities and indigenous people.

What Will You Do?

The Global Communications Lead sets the strategic direction for Proforest’s communications, strengthens its global brand and narrative, and coordinates a geographically dispersed team to deliver both global and regional priorities.

Drawing on Proforest’s 25 years of sustainability experience, the role translates complex knowledge into clear, engaging and practical communications for clients, partners and other stakeholders. Working across five autonomous regions, the post balances a coherent global approach with regional flexibility, combining strategic leadership, excellent project management skills and hands‑on delivery.

The successful candidate will build strong relationships, bring people together and foster collaboration across regions. They also understand how AI is changing the way people access information and create knowledge and are able to support the evolution of Proforest’s communications approach to adapt to these changes.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategy, Brand and Governance

• Lead the global communications strategy, aligned with Proforest’s 2025–2030 organisational strategy and regional plans in order to strengthen reputation, extend the reach and influence of our technical knowledge, and increase internal alignment and engagement around key messages.
• Steward Proforest’s brand, narrative and messaging, providing a coherent global framework that regions can adapt to their contexts, ensuring a competitive positioning as trusted technical partner.
• Harness and promote Proforest’s thought leadership.
• Advise the Global Executive Board on communications priorities, performance and risks, and maintain the guidance, processes and tools needed for consistent delivery.

Planning, channels and reputation

• Manage the global editorial calendar and coordinate major campaigns and events with regional teams and the Global Executive Board.
• Oversee global digital channels, media relations, and internal communications in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Set performance indicators, review results and adapt plans to improve communications impact.

Knowledge, content and capability

• Work with technical and leadership teams to translate complex knowledge into clear, accessible content and high-quality knowledge products.
• Set standards for information design and oversee the production of visual and data-based communications materials.
• Build communications capability across Proforest through mentoring, training and shared tools, working with the Training team where appropriate.

Team leadership and regional coordination

• Coordinate and mentor the global communications team, whose members report to Regional Directors with dotted-line accountability to this role.
• Chair the monthly Communications Working Group to align priorities, coordinate delivery and share learning across regions.
• Help regional comms and technical teams use communications strategically, while respecting regional ownership and addressing capability gaps.

About You

You’ll be a strategic communications professional with strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and project management skills. You will be experienced in developing and delivering communications strategies within complex international organisations and be confident translating technical and sustainability-related topics into clear, engaging and impactful communications. You’ll enjoy working across cultures, building strong relationships and helping teams collaborate effectively to achieve shared goals.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in communications, marketing or knowledge management *Essential
• Evidence of working/living in multiple cultural backgrounds and ability to connect with culturally diverse teams and audiences *Essential
• Prov