About The Carbon Technology Research Foundation (CTRF)

Big problems need visionary solutions. To prevent catastrophic climate change, not only do we need to stop emitting so much carbon, but we need to find more and better ways to remove existing carbon from the air. 

CTRF funds research into new methods of carbon sequestration, which have their roots in nature but could be scaled significantly using biotechnology to make a meaningful contribution to preventing global warming. 

We envisage transformational change, whereby the world responds successfully to the severe and accelerating risks associated with cumulative CO2 emissions. We want to collaborate with people who share our vision and commitment to a different world.  

Founded in Oslo in late 2020 by Norwegian entrepreneur Stig Arff, CTRF forms the grant-making body of its member company, Fremr (www.fremr.no), a private equity firm with a focus on sustainable investments based in both the UK and Norway.

The Role

Salary: £45-55k (pro rata)

Accountable to: The Director of Strategic Partnerships

Hours of work: 2-3 days per week (hours can be spread over the week), 12-month contract, renewable

Location: Hybrid working with time in the Oxford office. This role requires the right to work in the UK.

Annual leave: 25 days pro rata plus bank holidays

Job Summary

This is a new role in a small team and will be critical to realising CTRF’s mission to help tackle the climate crisis. You will help our Directors reach and persuade core audiences, particularly other grant-giving foundations and private sector investors who can join us as co-funders and implementation partners. You will help us connect with like-minded organisations and corporations, who can contribute not only complementary funds, but also their unique expertise and insights. 

You will also support our thought leadership and network-building with researchers, academic institutions and other key actors working on carbon sequestration to attract the right grantees, inform our work and ensure its benefits are disseminated. 

You will be responsible for developing and implementing our communications strategy, building on work done by an external agency, and establishing CTRF’s reputation and positioning for impact. 

Candidate Profile

A brilliant writer, able to translate complex concepts into accessible compelling prose, you will be able to support our team to convey our vision and mission effectively to engage and motivate target audiences. 

You will have a strong communications background from the private, public or not-for-profit sector, and a knowledge of and interest in climate change and science. You will understand the importance of good communications to attract funders – and will ideally have experience and a track record of success in reaching and engaging foundations, institutional, corporate or major donors.  

Able to thrive in a small team as the sole communications specialist supporting both the research programme and business development functions, you will be happy to be hands on and take on tasks across the communications spectrum, advising and working especially closely with the CEO, Strategic Partnerships Director, Research Director and Operations Manager. 

You will also be capable of managing social media channels (currently Twitter and LinkedIn) to ensure they remain relevant and engaging, as well creating other core communications collateral for CTRF. 

Key Responsibilities

• Update and implement the CTRF communications strategy to provide a consistent, targeted and impactful message and brand to CTRF target audiences, in particular with key funders.
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with the small CTRF team to develop, manage, and facilitate communications to support our goals.
• Agree and deliver an annual communications calendar that targets specific audiences or events, monitoring and evaluating performance and impact to help with recommendations for future activities.
• Manage external designers, agencies, and other suppliers to ensure completion of any agreed comms projects or publications.
• Ensure alignment with our core messaging framework and consistency across channels and at in-person events.
• Manage and expand social media presence, sourcing and sharing newsworthy information and creating content. Feedback to the team on social media activity.
• Manage Media and PR liaison, including presence at events where needed, drafting blogs and placing quotes or articles. 

Publications and Copywriting 

• • Coordinate production of agreed marketing materials and key publications e.g. a project spotlight series, our Annual Review.
  • Write and/or edit core copy for the website and other communications collateral, and support colleagues in their writing and communications.  
  • Work with relevant team members to design, draft and distribute periodic articles, blogs, e-bulletins and other key CTRF information for publication. 
  • Oversee the production of research project case studies/research project reports and maintain the communications folder/database. 

Website

• • Work with the Operations Manager who has responsibility for the website, to ensure it is up to date; generate new content; improve layout to maximise its potential; and monitor its performance.

Internal

• • Provide guidance on branding/templates where necessary, keep them up to date and ensure the team are well briefed on any communications issues as they arise.
  • Report on communications activities on a monthly basis and input to the monthly management report.
  • Input to annual communications budget based on planned activities.

Person Specification

• Strong, versatile copywriting skills – ability to communicate technical concepts in accessible language and support others to do the same 
• Good organisational, planning, and coordination skills
• Desire to take full ownership of assigned projects and ability to work independently
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Self-motivated and detail-minded
• Commitment to/interest in science-based action to address climate change 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships
• Proactive and positive approach in resolving problems and issues

Education and Experience

• With at least 5+ years experience in communications and marketing 
• Preferred background in social sciences, science or languages 
• Demonstrated experience with social media (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter)
• Experience working in a small team where you are the sole (or one of very few) communications experts 
• Working knowledge of Google Suite and web content management systems 

For more details about the role and how to apply, please click on this link: CTRF Head of Communications pack