Marketing, PR & Communications Manager (M/F) PV Cycle

Bruxelles - Brussels
Permanent

Context and background
PV CYCLE is a non-for-profit association founded in 2007 to implement the photovoltaic (PV) industry’s commitment to set up a take-back and recycling programme for end-of-life PV modules. Our 203 Full members have embraced the concept of producer responsibility by putting in place a system to reduce the environmental impact of their end-of-life products. The organization has also the support of 26 Associate members.

Full-scale recycling is still another 10-15 years away. Nevertheless, the PV industry is already working to create truly sustainable solutions across all stages of the product life cycle, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life collection and recycling.

Entirely financed by the manufacturers and importers of photovoltaic modules in Europe, PV CYCLE’s goal is to be operational in all Member States as well as in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, which include Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Currently, PV CYCLE has 173 fixed collection points throughout Europe and has collected 700 tonnes of used photovoltaic modules.

Role
The role of marketing, PR & communications manager is to support the development and delivery of the aims and objectives of PV CYCLE. The appointed candidate will be responsible for delivering an effective PV CYCLE communications strategy, through both traditional and digital marketing and PR activities, to raise the profile of the organisation, maximise the potential of all PV CYCLE services and enhance the promotion of collection and recycling of photovoltaic modules.

As part of the PV CYCLE team you will input into the strategic development of PV CYCLE.

The marketing, PR and communications Manager will be specifically responsible for:

• Development and delivery of an agreed marketing, PR and communications strategy, delivery plans, standards and evaluation.
• Ensuring that all communication, internal and external, is of an appropriate high standard, and consistent with PV CYCLE’s brand and key messages.
• To work effectively across the organisation in promoting communications work, policies, campaigns and brand guidelines.

Key tasks:

• To work with the Managing Director and the Board of Directors to continually develop, deliver and evaluate a communication programme to support the current and future business objectives of the organisation.
• To build the PV CYCLE brand and increase public awareness of our brand year on year.
• To develop new ideas and creative approaches to communication messages, within a clear brand framework, in order to influence and secure the support of key PV CYCLE stakeholders (e.g. partners, media,suppliers, policy makers) as outlined by the organisational strategy and key objectives
• To regularly secure editorial space, digital and printed, promoting the variety of PV CYCLE services in local, regional and national media, trade press and other relevant publications and channels.
• To share key messages with colleagues across the team, providing media training as required and preparing them to respond to media interest and requests appropriately.
• To be the first point of call for all media enquiries, responding to requests for journalists quickly and accurately to ensure the maximisation of every opportunity.
• To undertake market research as necessary, to identify new promotional opportunities in order to provide topical Press releases and new stories to raise awareness and support for PV CYCLE.
• To stay abreast of the latest developments, best practice and learning across the sector so that this can be incorporated into all PV CYCLE material and activities
• Raise awareness of the PV CYCLE System, at both a local and national level - this may involve giving talks to groups, attending conferences, networking or dealing with the media

Publications/website

• To be responsible for the production of all internal and external print and electronic materials such as promotional literature, research and reports, annual report, electronic mailings and newsletters, web-based blogs, campaign materials, news updates etc.
• To ensure that all material is on brand and consistent with current PV CYCLE strategies and objectives.

General

• Deliver against agreed key performance indicators for this role and financial targets as set out in the Business Plan, delivering all projects within budget.

Key Relationships
Key Relationships – Internal

• As Marketing, PR & Communications Manager you will report to the Managing Director.
• You will work closely with the Board, all PV CYCLE colleagues and our Members to implement marketing, PR and communication initiatives that respond to and support the aims and objectives of our services.

PV CYCLE operates according to a teamwork ethos, whereby we share our skills and experiences across the organisation to maximise our potential and achieve our objectives collectively.

Key Relationships – External

• The post holder will be required to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with key PV CYCLE partners, key clients and suppliers. This is by no means a definitive list as we anticipate that your external relationships will be extensive and frequent.
• Media liaison – local, regional and national, traditional and digital.
• Agencies and suppliers providing marketing or PR support to PV CYCLE.

Qualifications
Essential

• An advanced degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related fields and experience and skills gained in a communications/marketing/PR environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written German and English, with very good knowledge of Italian and/or Spanish are an asset; more knowledge of languages are much appreciated.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written with an ability to interpret and present complex messages and information to diverse audiences at all levels.
• Good knowledge of publishing processes, including liaising with designers and printers.
• Experience of developing contacts and building relationships with journalists.
• Experience of developing and implementing marketing campaigns and strategies.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with experience of forming and maintaining high level networks with a range of stakeholders and an enhanced ability to network effectively.
• The ability to negotiate with others to achieve objectives, whilst maintaining good working relationships.
• Diplomacy and discretion and the ability to manage confidential information.
• Good business understanding, a strategic mindset and an international outlook.
• 7-10 years of experience in Communications and Media Relations.
• Proven ability to work as a team member to achieve goals in effective co-operation.
• Commitment to continued learning.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and have a creative approach to problem solving.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage conflicting situations and priorities with tight deadlines.
• Excellent IT skills and ability to be administratively self-servicing.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.

The candidate
To give you an idea of the sort of candidate we are looking for, we anticipate that the ideal candidate for this role is most likely to have:

• Previously been a Senior Communications, Marketing and/or PR Officer
• Previously held a similar role and the same management level

What we offer

• An appropriate salary or other remuneration depending on the cooperation structure, including extra-legal benefits;
• A dynamic and multi-cultural team of 4 colleagues
• A fast paced working environment
• An inspiring environment on the edge between the renewable and environment industry;
• A lot of international contacts.
• The office is located in Brussels. However, the function requires flexibility towards travelling or flexible office.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV in English by email to: info@pvcycle.org

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 18 October 2011, C.O.B.
The first round interviews are scheduled in Brussels on Friday 21 October 2011 for a whole day.
The second round interview(s) consist of a meeting with the Board of Directors and is scheduled in Brussels on Tuesday 15 November 2011. Travel costs are re-imbursed.