Senior Associate Programme

About The European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative. We work to tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net‑zero emissions society at the national, European, and global levels.

We support over 1,000 partner organisations across Europe and the UK to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net‑zero economy and sustainable society.

ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We take a broad approach to the types of interventions we fund — from advocacy and activism to research and media engagement. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

The ECF's UK Programme exists to bolster the political, economic, social and environmental resilience of the UK as an international exemplar of the net zero transition. Our grant‑making supports four interlinked areas of activity:

• Analysing, articulating and promoting solutions: policy design and engagement
• Influencing the political and elite debate: advocacy and strategic communications
• Shaping the wider information environment: digital and cultural engagement
• Building citizen power: campaigning, mobilising and organising

We do this with an ecosystem approach. This means investing in civil society infrastructure in a way that builds capability, agility and agency in the field, rather than a top‑down model that assumes philanthropy has a monopoly on the ‘right’ answers.

We are looking for an experienced political communications specialist to lead the UK communications strategy for elite audiences and traditional media. The ideal candidate brings sharp political instincts developed through hands‑on experience, trusted relationships across political and media spheres, and a genuine passion for advancing our climate mission.

The Senior Associate reports to the UK Strategic Communications manager and is responsible for:

• Strategic implementation: planning and delivering ECF's UK communications strategy for elite audiences and traditional media
• Political insight: monitoring developments in UK politics and providing strategic communications advice to colleagues and partner organisations.
• Grant‑making: scoping projects, soliciting or co‑creating proposals, commissioning studies, and monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on progress and impact
• Convening: building partnerships with key individuals and convening partner organisations to share insights and expertise
• Networking: cultivating high‑trust relationships in the media and political ecosystem.
• Internal coordination and contribution: liaising with other ECF programmes where appropriate, including the operations and policy teams; and contributing to the wider organisational culture and impact.

We are looking for someone who can bring the following:

• Political and communications experience: a strong track record of developing and delivering effective communications strategies tailored to specific audiences and contexts
• Media expertise: adept at shaping media narratives and managing relationships with traditional media and political stakeholders
• Political judgment: strong understanding of the current political context and the role of public opinion and campaigns in driving change
• Collaboration skills: excellent collaboration, diplomacy and influencing skills, with the ability to operate in a networked organisation and facilitate effective alignment and action among a diverse group of colleagues and partners
• Project management: well organised, with strong project management skills, including monitoring, impact analysis and reporting
• Approach: positive, can‑do attitude with a pragmatic, flexible approach to securing impact
• Climate context: good knowledge of the media, campaign & policy landscape on climate change

• Salary between £55,000 and £70,000, dependent on experience and equity across the…