Senior Communications Specialist

Purpose:

You’ll work closely with our Director – Strategic Communications, offering editorial-level counsel, convening power, and critical media intelligence. You’ll play an essential role in co-piloting our public voice, strengthening our reputation, and building coalitions that mainstream sustainability into national discourse.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-stakes conversations, is equally comfortable in a newsroom or a diplomatic corridor and wants to be at the heart of India’s sustainability story.

Key Accountabilities: -

Editorial-level leadership and media strategy

• Cultivate and deepen editor/CXO-level relationships across top-tier media - national, regional and global.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior journalists working on sustainability and ensure CEEW has top-of-mind recall on key issues.
• Co-build a media strategy for the CEO and senior leadership.
• Serve as CEEW spokesperson when needed, lead media trainings for senior staff.
• Advise the existing media team to proactively pitch and place CEEW research, data visualisations, and leadership op-eds, secure exclusives and recurring columns.

High-level convenings and events excellence

• Design and deliver flagship events, ambassadorial roundtables, and closed-door dialogues in coordination with programme teams.
• Moderate discussions at the highest levels involving MPs, ministers, ambassadors, thought leaders, and national/ international delegates.
• Ensure flawless execution and curate experiences that leave an impression.
• Build a signature events portfolio that reflects CEEW’s intellectual leadership and convening power.

Strategic partnerships to mainstream sustainability

• Forge high-impact partnerships with media houses, cultural platforms, educational institutions, festivals, etc, to mainstream sustainability and strengthen brand CEEW.

Leadership and institutional development

• Be a strategic sounding board to the CEO and Director-Strategic Communications on public positioning and external engagements.
• Run annual crisis simulations; monitor information and support rapid response during a crisis. Mentor and elevate mid-management to build executive presence; run a “media academy” for storytelling, on-camera readiness, etc.
• Contribute to organisational growth by embedding a strong culture of strategic outreach and narrative-building.

Selection Criteria:-

Qualification

• A master’s degree in journalism, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field from a reputed institution.
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Additional certifications or fellowships in strategic communications, media, or public affairs will be an advantage.

Work experience and other skills

• At least 12-18 years of prior experience with a leading national and international media house is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diplomats, media leaders, senior government officials, and public figures.
• A well-established professional network across various media outlets.
• Prior experience in conceptualising, hosting, and moderating high-profile public events, closed-door briefings, and roundtable/ panel discussions.
• Exceptional presence and public speaking skills, with the ability to moderate conversations with senior stakeholders.