Communications Director

Job Description

Carbon Market Watch's mission is to ensure that carbon pricing and other climate policies cut pollution and drive a just transition towards sustainable societies. Given the urgency of halting the climate breakdown, we want market-based climate policies to fulfil their promise and be used in a wise combination with regulatory and incentivising measures.

Our strengths lie in evidence-based advocacy to improve climate policies, turning complex issues into understandable messages, and helping people influence those policies.

Purpose of the position

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced communications director to work in our Brussels office and remotely from a Belgian residence. The communication director leads the design and execution of communication strategies and activities across our work areas, and oversees and guides the work of a team of (currently 4) communication specialists. They will report to our executive director, who develops the overall organisational strategy in close collaboration with the policy director.

Tasks and responsibilities

Strategic and overarching responsibilities

• Contribute to the overall organisational strategy development and implementation, and advise on matters of political strategy from a communications perspective;
• Lead on the development of the overall organisational communications strategy (including the use of different communication channels and AI use policy) and of specific campaign strategies;
• Stretch CMW's audience reach beyond policy niches to wider audiences while staying true to CMW's mission and priorities as an advocacy organisation;
• Oversee the development and implementation of communications activities related to research and advocacy outputs in close collaboration with our responsible policy experts;
• Ensure the good functioning of CMW's overall communications infrastructure and tools.

Specific communications responsibilities

(Applicable to the current division of roles and responsibilities in our comms team - changes possible over time).

• Edit and ensure high quality of publications (main editor in comms team);
• Develop compelling narratives and messages;
• Write articles, opinion pieces, press releases, and social media content;
• Manage monthly newsletter production;
• Liaise with journalists and enhance media engagement;
• Carry out media monitoring and regular analysis for in-house and reporting purposes;
• Oversee website content updates and website functioning;
• Ensure communications support for public events and activities;
• Contribute to grant development and reporting, and draft annual report.

Management responsibilities

• Conduct regular communications team meetings to general team standards and linking in with overall team work tools and flows;
• Ensure effective comms team deployment - both across topics and skills;
• Act as line manager for communication officers and interns;
• Oversee the contracting of external communications-related services;
• Assist with recruitments to the comms team as needed.

General support to the team

• Monitor relevant climate and energy policy news; monitor general political news as it affects CMW;
• Provide communications capacity-building support to the policy team;
• Support the executive director in external communications;
• Contribute to overall team activities.

Professional and personal attributes

• At least eight years of work experience from communications, public relations, journalism or related field;
• Experience in team management, strong organisational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills. Native-level English, knowledge of other European languages (especially French and Spanish) is an advantage;
• Solid experience in working with media;
• Proven experience in executing successful launches, events and communication campaigns;
• Experience in website and social media management;
• A broad understanding of EU and international climate policies, familiarity with the EU decision-making process. Specific knowledge of carbon markets and carbon pricing would be a significant bonus;
• Experience in setting up and leading communications for EU-funded projects, including those involving partner consortia;
• Great interpersonal skills and commitment to Carbon Market Watch values.

What we offer

• A full-time (80% is an alternative option), permanent contract under Belgian law;
• A competitive remuneration package in line with Brussels NGO standards: salary starting from €5,900 (for 8 years of relevant experience for full time) gross/month, 13th month, meal vouchers, mobile phone package, public transport monthly allowance, travel insurance covering work and private travel, home-working allowance, and five days extra-legal holidays and 4-5 days office closure at end of December;
• As part of our benefits, you'll be eligible for a private supplementary pension plan. CMW contributes 2%, and employees contribute 2% of the monthly gross salary, enhancing long-term retirement savings;
• An exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic, friendly, expert team.

Application process

Qualified applicants should send their motivation letter and CV, both in a single pdf document clearly marked with their name, to the link on our website. The application should outline your motivation, skills, areas of interest and availability.

Deadline to submit your application: 12 April 2026 end of day. Online screening interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis by an external consultant. Second (in person, in-house) interviews will take place on 23-24 April. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and applications must refrain from contacting staff during the recruitment process unless shortlisted.

We treat your application confidentially and respect the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in collecting your personal data. Your application will be automatically acknowledged, but we will not respond to individual enquiries and only get back to candidates for an interview.

CMW is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, or any other dimension of diversity.

We do require candidates to have the right to work in the EU (specifically in Belgium) because work permit applications are too cumbersome and unpredictable. Candidates must live in Belgium or be willing to relocate by the start date.