It has never been more important to tell the compelling, transformative stories of how credible sustainability systems contribute to addressing some of the toughest sustainability challenges facing us today, including climate change, environmental impact of production methods, farmer livelihoods and human rights.

To help with this, ISEAL is looking for an experienced content strategist to play a key role in bringing our organisational story to life. This role is ideal for a strategically minded writer, who would like to work in a sustainability-focused not-for-profit setting.

ISEAL is the global membership organisation for sustainability systems and includes many of the most respected sustainability schemes worldwide. ISEAL members cover social and environmental sustainability issues – from labour rights and sustainable livelihoods to biodiversity conservation – and are active across a diverse range of sectors. Find out more on our website iseal(.)org.

The content strategist is part of a small team focused on expanding ISEAL’s reputation for supporting and challenging sustainability systems to deliver real, lasting, positive change. Through our communications, we build awareness of the critical role ISEAL and sustainability systems play in addressing some of the most pressing global sustainability challenges.

The content strategist has a crucial role in our communications team and will benefit from working with a range of colleagues across varied projects, to help maximise the impact of our communications. Reporting to the senior communications manager, you will need to be an excellent hands-on all-round creative copywriter who can think strategically. You will work with senior managers and programme teams to develop the organisational story and then bring it to life in a range of formats.

We are looking for someone with extensive writing experience and who can see the bigger picture. The ideal candidate is self-motivated and comfortable working in a dynamic environment with multiple concurrent tasks and deadlines. Maybe with a journalist background or strategic communications experience in a mission driven setting, the preferred applicant will have the proven ability to spot the key topics to cover and write clear and engaging pieces for a range of audiences.

The key responsibilities we will entrust you with

Organisational storytelling:

Develop ISEAL’s storytelling strategy to build brand equity Plan, identify and collect the stories to bring the strategy life Bring together complex and technical information and translate this into easy-to-understand messaging

Write original content that tells the ISEAL / credible sustainability systems story

Support and advise programme teams to design components of projects that also deliver against the organisation communication and outreach strategy

Amplify the work of project and programme teams, positioning it through the broader organisation narrative

Repurpose content to craft communication for a range of mediums and audiences

Propose copy concepts and present underlying strategic thinking to senior managers

Work with the campaigns coordinator to amplify our story and messaging, targeting the audiences we aim to reach Target communication to reach businesses and governments globally, aligning with our outreach strategy

Promote and lead a culture of organisational storytelling through ISEAL’s work, bringing the right people together to identify gaps in our content

Protecting ISEAL’s brand:

Protect our brand identity by supporting staff to consistently deliver quality communication material in line with ISEAL’s brand guidelines

Embed storytelling and ISEAL’s tone of voice within the organisation

Review and shape language and tone across all channels

Edit and challenge pieces of content generated by colleagues and consultants

Create issue and crisis response templates and material (i.e. FAQs, positions)

Work with the communications assistant to monitor metrics related to content

Ensure review systems are built in and content is kept up to date

Keep track of sustainability systems focused news stories

Other responsibilities:

Line manage and supervise direct reports, providing guidance and direction and encouraging growth and development

Develop an in-depth understanding of the organisational strategy and communication strategy

Build excellent cross-functional relationships Lead specific communication projects Support ISEAL’s global conference and symposia

Experience, knowledge and attributes:

Extensive work experience in a copywriting role, possibly combined with corporate communications, ideally in an international NGO/membership organisation

Exceptional written English skills, with a talent for storytelling

Demonstrable experience in writing short and long form copy for digital platforms and assets

Ability to translate complex and technical topics into easy-to-understand messaging that builds a compelling story

Track record of planning, implementing and delivery of the campaigns to tell the stories

Ability to see the big picture

Passion for the nuances of language, vocabulary and grammar

Ability to embed tone of voice and style

Keen attention to detail

Strong organisational and time management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities and meet deadlines

Excellent communication skills, displaying professionalism, tact and awareness of others.

Interest in and some understanding of sustainability issues

Proficient IT skills, familiarity with virtual meeting tools (e.g. Teams, Zoom, etc.) and the use of contact management databases (e.g. Salesforce) and MS Office

Ability to communicate and work effectively with cross-functional teams in a fully remote, international environment, including regular international time-zone calls

Additionally desirable:

Sustainability writing background Understanding of sustainability systems, which may have been gained via academic, internship or voluntary setting

Knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in brand storytelling

ISEAL´s culture and how we will help you thrive Our values are connection, empowerment, inspiration, wellbeing, effective working, and creativity.

These are traits we value in each other and in the organisation. We instil these values in all our processes and interactions.

We work on global issues and our team reflects this, with individuals from different backgrounds and nationalities. This diversity adds to the quality of work that we deliver and through our commitment to diversity and inclusion we strengthen our team.

Diversity for us includes race and gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other areas that form someone´s identity. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

As an organisation, we also support our people in their personal and professional development, with the budget and processes in place for staff to take advantage of development opportunities.

We offer 25 days of annual leave, with an additional day a year added after two years (to a maximum of 30 days). In addition, we add an extra five days as a one off, once you have been with us for a full five years.

We have a hybrid-working model with a minimum of four days per month in the London office, as well as the opportunity to apply for flexible working arrangements to suit individual´s needs.

Other relevant information

Term: This is an initial contract of one year with the possibility of extension.

Salary: £44,000 – 48,000 depending on experience.

Working hours: Based on a full time equivalent of 37.5 hours per week.

Location: London is the preferred location. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are entitled to work in the UK. An ability and willingness to work in a hybrid work environment is required.

International travel: The post holder may be required to undertake occasional international travel.

Annual leave: 25 days / year (including office closure between Christmas and New Year).

Ideal Start Date: March 2024.

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the recruitment@isealalliance.org.

Deadline for applications is 10 January 2024, 5pm GMT.

Please note that we will only contact shortlisted applicants