Director, External Affairs

Job information

Title: Director, External Affairs

Location: Remote, preference for time zones between EDT and CET

Reporting to: Chief Partnerships Officer

Position overview

The Director of External Affairs will be responsible for developing Tilt Collective's profile and reputation, with a particular focus on the philanthropy sector (major climate and health foundations, family offices). The role will lead on media relations, digital engagement, brand strategy, and executive communications, while directly supporting the organization's fundraising objectives.

Reporting to the Chief Partnerships Officer and working closely with our Directors of Philanthropy and Grants, and our Monitoring & Evaluation team, the role will shape how Tilt Collective tells its story and engages key philanthropy stakeholders across climate, health, and nature. The role reports into the Chief Partnerships Officer.

Key responsibilities

External affairs

• Work closely with the Chief Partnerships Officer to develop and implement Tilt Collective's external affairs strategy as it grows.

• Design targeted engagement plans for key audiences across climate, health, and nature sectors.

• Lead cross-functional communications initiatives, working and coordinating with teams across the wider organization.

• Manage external agencies, including communications agencies, graphic designers, and content creators, to ensure their contributions align with Tilt Collective’s strategic communications goals.

• Track, analyze, and report on external affairs effectiveness using relevant metrics and insights

Narrative development & storytelling

• Help shape Tilt Collective's core narrative around balanced diets and food systems transformation, ensuring storytelling is compelling, evidence-based, and impact-driven.

• Develop adaptable messaging frameworks that maintain consistency while allowing for cultural sensitivity across global markets.

• Create and curate messaging, storytelling and visual content that accurately reflects our work and that resonates with diverse donor audiences.

Events strategy

• Develop and oversee Tilt Collective’s events strategy, including donor and grantee partner convening opportunities, working closely with the philanthropy, grants and strategy & impact teams to design and support event delivery, including supporting on the selection and management of local events contractors.

Media relations & external engagement

• Lead on developing and executing communications profile building for Tilt Collective, its CEO and selected senior leaders.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with specialist and (where relevant) mainstream media and drive proactive media opportunities, and manage reactive media enquiries

• Manage Tilt's media strategy and reputation, ensuring consistent messaging and brand across all channels and content.

• Cultivate relationships with communications counterparts at partner philanthropies where relevant.

• Maintain crisis communications plans.

Brand, marketing & digital engagement

• Develop our brand guidelines and ensure consistency across all markets and touchpoints.

• Oversee our digital presence including our website and social media channels, ensuring alignment to our wider communications objectives.

• Support the crafting of high-impact communications materials that support fundraising objectives and articulate Tilt's value proposition.

Required qualifications

Education & experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)

• Extensive & proven experience in strategic external affairs or communications roles

• Native / Fluent English language ability; both written and verbal. Other languages relevant to our regional presence advantageous (e.g. Portuguese, German)

• Proven track record in media relations, brand (and senior executive profile) building, and stakeholder engagement at a senior level.

• Experience managing external communications partners/agencies.

• Proven experience leading international communications for a global organisation operating across multiple regions

Sector knowledge

• Strong understanding of sustainability, climate, health issues as they relate to the sustainability of food systems.

• Experience working in or with philanthropic organizations, foundations, or NGOs and leading on executive profile building and alongside fundraising teams.

Core competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives for a philanthropy audience.

• Strategic thinker with proven ability to translate organizational goals into effective communications plans.

• Strong media relations skills.

• Proficiency in digital communications, social media platforms, and content management systems.

• Experience with communications analytics and performance measurement.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under deadline pressure.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to influence and build relationships across all organizational levels.

Personal attributes

• Collaborative leadership style with ability to work effectively across cultures and geographies.

• Entrepreneurial mindset suited to a growing organization.

• Comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration in a start-up style environment.

• Adaptability and creative problem-solving skills.