Head of Strategic Communications

The Clean Air Fund is looking to recruit a Head of Strategic Communications to join their team in London. This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing organisation whose mission is to use philanthropic grants to catalyse a reduction in air pollution.

As Head of Strategic Communications, you would lead communications on our mission to deliver clean air for all. You are responsible for raising the profile of Clean Air Fund, our leadership, our work, and the work of our grantees and partners. You will lead on strategy for raising our voice publicly, working closely with advocacy colleagues, shaping our key messages to ensure they land with the right audiences and that our insights, reports, and perspectives cut through to those who need to receive them. Further, this role will advise and support strategic partners such as grantees and funders to amplify the impact of their communications. You will oversee content development and ensure high standards for our channels, support our portfolio communications needs, advise on reputational risk, and ensure cross-cutting initiatives such as Breathe Cities and Super Pollutants have the right communications approach and their outputs form part of an integrated communications strategy.

To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and experience:

• Strategic Communications Leadership – Proven ability to develop and implement a high-impact communications strategy that will enhance Clean Air Fund’s visibility, ensuring key messages reach policymakers, funders, and the public.
• Executive & Thought Leadership Positioning – Experience of elevating the profile of an organization’s leadership, positioning them as authoritative voices through media engagement, speaking opportunities, and digital presence.
• Media & Public Relations Expertise – Strong track record of ensuring high-profile media coverage, overseeing press relations, and crafting compelling narratives to influence public discourse.
• Brand & Reputation Building – Experience of shaping and strengthening brand identity, ensuring consistent and strong brand positioning to maximise the impact of all channels and stakeholder groups.
• Digital & Content Strategy – Experience of developing and overseeing engaging digital content that amplifies work, leadership insights, and advocacy messages to drive greater audience reach and engagement.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management – Skilled at building and managing relationships with external partners and media to maximize visibility and influence.
• Crisis & Reputation Management – Ability to anticipate reputational risks and implement proactive and reactive strategies to protect and enhance public image and credibility.
• Leadership & Team Management – Experience leading and developing high-performing communications teams while fostering collaboration across internal teams and external partners.
• Advocacy & Influence – Ability to integrate communications with research and advocacy efforts, ensuring that insights, reports, and campaigns effectively influence policy and public awareness.
• Sector Awareness (Climate & Air Pollution) – While not requiring deep technical expertise, a strong grasp of air pollution’s health, environmental, and social impacts, as well as familiarity with key stakeholders, political and policy landscapes, is beneficial.
• Project & Supplier Management – Competence in managing external agencies, overseeing budgets, and delivering high-quality, impactful communications projects.
• Quality Control and Editorial Oversight – Experience ensuring all communications outputs, especially flagship reports, external publications, and internal documents meet high editorial, visual, and strategic standards. Ability to oversee production processes, collaborate with writers and designers, and maintain consistency in messaging, clarity, and impact.

Type of employment: permanent, full time.

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, returning parents, carers, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps we can take to ensure that the recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable. We are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our employees from all forms of harm.