About the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)

• We are the single European umbrella federation of member-based civil society organisations advocating and working for more and better cycling.
• We promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transport and leisure.
• With more than 60 member organisations from over 40 countries, we harness the power of European cycling movements as the only civil society advocacy voice at the pan-European level.
• We are based in Brussels and our roots are in Europe, but the challenges we face are global, and we are ready to meet them as the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ advocacy federation.

Job description

The Communications and Media Relations Manager will report to the CEO and work closely with the different teams within ECF to help ensure that our messages are clear and that the voice of cyclists is heard and acted upon by policy- and decision-makers in Brussels and throughout the EU and wider Europe.

You will lead our Communications team in our efforts to support and boost the advocacy, impact and reach of ECF, with tasks that include developing and executing ECF’s communications strategy, building and managing relations with key journalists and media, ensuring the high quality of ECF publications and other content, monitoring and evaluating on our communications efforts, and much more – all to help achieve our ambitious ECF 2030 Strategy.

Specific responsibilities include:

Leadership and strategy

• Oversee ECF’s communications and media relations.
• Manage our small Communications team.
• Develop and implement ECF’s communications strategy.
• Lead communications activities in relation to our flagship annual Velo-city conference, including social media, newsletters, and website management.
• Drive ECF's rebranding efforts.

Content and messaging

• Craft and support effective messaging for ECF’s advocacy, campaigns, fundraising, organisational development, and other initiatives.
• Write press releases and occasional op-eds, ensuring they reach relevant journalists and media outlets.
• Write and edit articles and other content for ECF channels.
• Commission and plan content (written and visual) for ECF’s audiences, including the website, newsletters, social media, and reports.
• Ensure the high quality of written and visual content for ECF reports and other outputs.

Media and public relations

• Proactively build and maintain relationships with key journalists and media outlets in Brussels and across Europe.
• Generate broad, positive, and impactful media coverage for ECF’s advocacy goals, positions, and campaigns across Europe and beyond.
• Field media enquiries professionally and ensure timely responses.
• Monitor and analyse ECF’s media coverage and digital outreach performance, producing regular reports for the ECF Board.

Digital and online presence

• Maintain, update, and enhance ECF’s websites (ecf.com, velo-city-conference.com) and coalition websites for which ECF acts as secretariat (e.g. pathforwalkingcycling.com).
• Coordinate online events and digital campaigns.
• Monitor the performance of ECF’s digital outreach and ensure effective online engagement.

Events and Conferences

• Organise the annual ECF award ceremony and related communications activities.
• Coordinate ECF’s presence at conferences, including booth displays and publications.

Project Management

• Oversee communications for EU-funded projects.
• Support the development of project proposals and the management of projects.

Who are we looking for?

Academic background:

• Essential: A degree in a relevant field and/or relevant professional qualifications in communications or as a journalist
• Desirable: A Master’s degree in a relevant field

Professional background:

• Essential:
  • At least 3 years’ experience in a communications role, eg in advocacy, public administration, PR consultancy or similar
  • A proven track record in managing, developing and improving the communications activities of an organisation
  • Experience in working with journalists and media outlets

• Desirable:
  • Experience in advocacy and campaigning
  • Experience from working with mobility, cycling or climate policy at EU or national level
  • A proven track record in placing stories in the media and building effective professional relationships with journalists
  • Experience in managing staff

Competencies, skills and attributes:

• Essential:
  • A highly motivated individual with strong ethical standards and an open-minded, proactive, results-oriented personality
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (native or near-native proficiency)
  • A person with a sharp pen and the ability to create engaging content for different stakeholder groups and publics
  • Good understanding of the Brussels/EU policymaking environment
  • Knowledge of relevant media and associated communication channels in Brussels and across Europe
  • A resilient individual who can multitask and set priorities
  • A highly capable and effective networker with excellent interpersonal skills
  • A team player who works well in diverse teams and with different people
  • A proficient user of the Microsoft Office package and videoconferencing platforms

• Desirable:
  • Commitment to ECF’s mission to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy form of transport and leisure
  • Knowledge of the cycling or sustainable transport sector
  • Skills in using social media, CMS, CRM and other digital tools and platforms
  • Skills in graphic or audiovisual production
  • Flexible in terms of travel and working hours

Languages:

• Essential: Native or near-native proficiency in English
• Desirable: Additional EU languages are an asset

What do we offer?

You will have a place in the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ federation to promote cycling as the healthiest, most climate-friendly and efficient means of transport and leisure. Your position will be in an international office located in the heart of Brussels full of friendly and passionate colleagues.

ECF offers an employment package in line with similar non-governmental organisations based in Brussels. Our package includes flexible working hours with a good work-life balance, 20 legal vacation and 10 extra-legal vacation days, cycling-to-work allowance, lunch vouchers and an extra-legal pension scheme.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU and able to live and work in Belgium. The candidate should be able to start during February or March 2025.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV and a cover letter in English in one PDF document to hr@ecf.com with the subject line ”First Name Last Name - ECF Communications and Media Relations Manager” by 15 January 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Due to an expected large number of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal opportunity

ECF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

Do not forget to mention that you found this job ad on the Euractiv Jobsite!