Strategic Communications Planning Lead

Overview

Location:

London - hybrid, 2 days per week London Office, to include Wednesdays (and preferably Thursdays). The Strategic Communications Planning Lead is accountable for ensuring that all communications activity across the organisation is strategically prioritised, coherently planned and effectively integrated to advance MSF UK's strategic objectives, reputation, fundraising performance and advocacy impact. Working in close partnership with senior leaders and heads of teams across departments, the postholder leads the organisation's communications forward-planning process and comms calendar;

establishes high-quality strategic briefing standards; and oversees the coordination of complex, multi-channel campaigns. They ensure that communications planning and delivery are aligned with organisational priorities, values and ethical standards, and that resources are deployed effectively to maximise impact.

Are you creative and organised? Do you want to work for an incredible cause and organisation? Do you have experience of juggling multiple projects? If so, then we have the job for you. We are looking for someone to act as a bridge between strategy and delivery; to embed clear processes for briefing, planning and evaluation; develop and manage communications plans;

improve coordination across teams; and champion a culture of collaboration, strategic alignment and best practice in our communications work. You will ensure that lessons learned are captured and shared across teams.

• Lead the organisation's communications forward-planning process and communications calendar; establish high-quality strategic briefing standards; and coordinate complex, multi-channel campaigns.
• Ensure communications planning and delivery are aligned with organisational priorities, values and ethical standards; deploy resources effectively to maximise impact.
• Act as a bridge between strategy and delivery; embed clear processes for briefing, planning and evaluation; develop and manage communications plans; improve coordination across teams; champion collaboration and best practice.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and shared across teams.

• Significant experience in strategic communications, campaigns or marketing roles within a complex organisation, ideally in the charity or international development/humanitarian sector.
• Strong understanding of audience insight, communications planning, and multi-channel communications (owned, earned and paid).
• Project & campaign management:
  Demonstrable experience in leading multi-stakeholder communications and campaigns from concept to delivery.
• Excellent organisational and documentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Prince2, or similar).
• Experience of setting and managing budgets and resource planning across departments.
• Experience of working collaboratively across teams and departments to achieve shared objectives.
• Experience developing or maintaining forward-planning systems, content calendars, or campaign management tools.
• Ability to lead through influence, fostering collaboration and alignment among senior colleagues; skilled at facilitating meetings, building consensus and ensuring clarity of ownership and decision-making.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, persuasive messaging; confident in presenting ideas, chairing meetings, and communicating effectively with senior stakeholders; strong relationship management skills with diplomacy and discretion in handling sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Able to assess communications performance using data and insights, and to translate learning into actionable improvement; demonstrates sound judgement and the ability to make informed decisions in complex, fast-moving contexts.
• Understanding of global health, humanitarian advocacy, or medical communications; commitment to the humanitarian principles and medical ethics of Médecins Sans Frontières; demonstrated commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in communications and teamwork; high personal integrity and accountability.

Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.

Salary: £59,739.12 per annum - £73,014.48 per annum | Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.