Strategic Narratives and Events Manager

Strategic Narratives and Events Manager

Final date to receive applications: 23 August 2026

Department: Public Affairs and Communications

Employment Type: Permanent
- Full Time

Location: London, UK

Reporting To: Director of Communications

Compensation: £47,700 - £60,420 / year

Contract Type:
Permanent
- Fulltime

Purpose of job

To help shape ODI Global's influence by translating research into compelling narratives, high-impact events and engaging digital content that connect evidence with global policy debates. Working across programmes, the postholder will bring together institutional narratives, create opportunities for engagement before, during and after major moments, and help ensure ODI Global's ideas reach and resonate with the audiences that matter most.

• Identify emerging policy moments and develop integrated communications opportunities around them.
• Work across ODI Global programmes to identify common themes and build institution-wide narratives that reinforce ODI Global's strategic priorities to inform equitable change.
• Translate complex research into compelling stories that resonate with policymakers, partners and wider audiences.
• Work closely with the Senior Communications and Policy Influencing Managers to identify group key messages, audiences, policy hooks and opportunities for influence.
• Help develop communication campaigns around flagship reports, major events and strategic priorities.
• Work with the Senior Communications and Policy Influencing Managers to ensure communications move beyond dissemination towards sustained engagement and influence.
• Identify opportunities to connect individual outputs into wider institutional narratives.

• Lead the communications planning, coordination and delivery for flagship ODI Global events from conception through to post-event impact. This includes planning, preparation, logistics, delivery and post-event wrap-up.
• Develop practical event plans, timelines and checklists, coordinating milestones, responsibilities and approvals so events are delivered to deadline and to ODI Global standards.
• Identify, invite and brief speakers, contributors and chairs, preparing joining instructions, briefing notes, run-of-show documents and presentation guidance so contributors are clear on their role.
• Coordinate the practical delivery of in-person, online and hybrid events, including venue or platform set-up, AV requirements, accessibility, suppliers, speaker logistics, rehearsals and on-the-day troubleshooting.
• Ensure every major/corporate event forms part of a wider communications and engagement strategy rather than operating as a standalone activity.
• Work closely with speakers to maximise policy impact and media opportunities.
• Produce post-event impact summaries highlighting key insights, influence and next steps.
• Develop audience engagement plans before, during and after events, using audience insight, stakeholder intelligence and event data to improve relevance, reach and impact.
• Ensure events are inclusive and accessible, including consideration of formats, platforms, speaker briefings, audience needs and digital accessibility requirements.

• Capture high-quality photography at ODI Global events.
• Curate image libraries showcasing ODI Global's work.
• Identify compelling visual moments suitable for social media and publications.
• Produce short-form visual content including reels, carousels and behind-the-scenes storytelling.
• Brief the audiovisual team where additional production support is required.
• Ensure visual content reflects ODI Global's brand and strategic priorities.

• Develop engaging social media content that supports ODI Global's institutional priorities.
• Create social-first content including reels, quote cards, photography, short video clips and campaign assets.
• Identify opportunities to engage external audiences around key debates.
• Produce SEO-friendly website content for ODI Global’s website, using Wagtail (ODI’ Global’s content management system), particularly event pages, speaker biographies,…