Job Description

We’re a team of creatives that shape and disrupt policy narratives.

Policy shapes the world and our future. It matters. This might be why you started working in policy yourself. And it might be why you, like us, believe that getting policy unstuck is among the most important challenges of our time.

You can check out our website to find out more about us, what we do, and examples of past work. But as someone thinking about working with us, there are two things in particular you should know.

The first is that we care about what we do. Our clients matter to us, as does the quality of our work, and, most importantly, the impact our work has on the world. We want to shape policies that benefit people, and we’re ready to go the extra mile to achieve that. This means that we’re always in a brainstorm mode, we think beyond the scope, and we put the hard work in to bring our ideas to life.

The second is that we care who we work for – and with. We want to work with people and organisations who share our vision and have a similar drive and ambition. And yes, sometimes that means we reject work if we don’t think it fits. We want to build long-term relationships with our clients (most have been working with us for 3+ years) and we work together as part of one team with them. We want you to fit in that dynamic – and we’re looking for someone who can show that that’s how they work too.

The job

We’re looking for someone to wear two hats. 

The first hat you’ll wear is that of a client lead. You’ll have full responsibility for the clients and projects that you and your team are working on. One day you might be working on ocean policy campaigns, helping technical clients adapt their language to make it engaging and influential, and in doing so helping to push the ocean agenda forward. The next you could be working with a not-for-profit, leading the creation of their brand identity, marketing strategy and overseeing the launch of their new website. 

We’re on the hunt for a seasoned communications strategist and a creative campaigner. You’ll be someone who feels at home bringing your knowledge and experience to any communications challenge: from campaign strategy to brand strategy, from policy communications to digital marketing.

You should be a creative thinker, a problem solver, and someone who knows how to run projects profitably – and grow client relationships at the same time. You’ll be able to build relationships quickly, with clients and colleagues. You’ll spot mistakes, tactfully ask difficult questions, and tell us and our clients how to improve things.

The second hat you’ll wear is that of a new business lead. You’ll work with the CEO, Head of Strategy and other colleagues to identify, respond to, and win new business opportunities. We’re looking for someone who has directly relevant experience here – so you’ll have had experience in new business for an agency or consultancy, or have supported that function.

You’ll have experience responding to RFPs (and hopefully winning them – definitely tell us if you have a good hit rate), you’ll be excited by the idea of travelling abroad to give presentations to prospects and convert them to clients, and you’ll have ideas about how we can improve our marketing to generate more inbound leads. Where some see new business efforts as taxing and draining, you’ll be energised by it, and see new business as a game that is fun to play, and win.

Key skills and experience

The core things we are looking for are:

• Minimum 6 years experience, with at least three years in an equivalent agency setting
• Have communications expertise in creating stories, shaping narratives and social/policy campaigns and/or public affairs
• Experience and expertise in brand communications and/or strategy development
• Ability to produce creative and engaging communication materials: reports, websites, social media and print

We’re also looking for a mix of the below. We don’t expect you to have all of them, but you should be nodding to most of the things on the lists below.

Project management

• Excellent account and project management skills 
• Finding creative solutions to complex problems
• Ability to break down large strategy and campaign projects into phased deliverables, guiding clients through the process
• Strong timeline and budget management skills 
• Ability to identify areas of improvement/efficiencies, for yourself and your team, both in terms of process, training, and any other areas you identify

Team management

• Experience managing a team, growing their skills and ability (this role will have line management responsibilities)
• Onboarding new team members 
• On an ongoing basis, identify future recruits for the company/build a wide network around the industry

Thought leadership

• Write thought leadership articles for the CFC website, at least once per quarter, ideally one a month promoting our thinking and best practices
• Participate in CFC training and knowledge sharing (webinars etc.) 
• Attend events and conferences on behalf of the company

New business & sales

• Identify and respond to appropriate RFPs; lead pitch approaches
• Identify opportunities for future work with existing clients, write proposals to win that work
• Identify and pursue new leads
• Identify and shape new product offerings to take to market

If you're still interested, you can find out more about the application process on our website (Google "cast from clay lead consultant"). We look forward to chatting.