Deputy Communications Manager – Editorial and Digital Content Lead, UK PACT

Palladium is recruiting for a UK PACT Deputy Communications Manager – Editorial and Digital Content Lead, based in the UK (hybrid), to support the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme. This role is suited to an experienced communications professional with a strong focus on editorial and digital content. UK PACT is a UK Government programme funded through International Climate Finance (ICF), operating since 2018 and currently active in more than ten countries. The programme’s overall objective is to alleviate poverty, working primarily through reducing greenhouse gas emissions. UK PACT is a flexible technical assistance programme that is designed to support ODA eligible countries to increase their future climate ambitions, reduce their emissions, and accelerate just transitions to clean growth.

Role Purpose

This role will work in close partnership with the Communications Manager to deliver UK PACT’s communications strategy across a complex, global portfolio. Acting as a deputy to the Communications Manager, the postholder will lead on content planning and development, ensuring a strong pipeline of high‑quality, impactful communications. The role will support the Communications Manager in shaping messaging, managing stakeholders, and maintaining oversight of outputs across the programme. The postholder will play a key role in identifying and developing compelling stories of change, translating complex technical work into clear, engaging narratives that demonstrate impact, value for money, and alignment with UK government priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Communications Manager to refine and deliver the overall communications strategy.
• Act as a deputy when required, supporting decision‑making, prioritisation and coordination across the communications function.
• Support oversight of communications opportunities/needs across UK PACT’s Funds and Embassies/High Commissions.
• Anticipate emerging communications needs, risks and opportunities, and support mitigation, prep and planning.
• Co‑lead the development of high‑quality content across UK PACT, working under the strategic direction of the Communications Manager.
• Identify and shape compelling stories of change that clearly articulate the what, why, and how of UK PACT’s work.
• Support the Communications Manager in developing and refining key messaging aligned with FCDO priorities.
• Apply sound editorial judgement to identify potential reputational risks in content and messaging, and assess opportunities to strengthen positioning, escalating where appropriate.
• Manage day‑to‑day content planning and publishing across channels.
• Support the maintenance and improvement of UK PACT’s website.
• Ensure quality control and consistency of tone, messaging and branding across outputs.
• Input on tracking and reporting against platform KPIs, including engagement, reach and follower growth, providing insight to inform strategic decisions and optimise performance.
• Support delivery of the UK PACT LinkedIn strategy.
• Develop and draft engaging social media content, including short‑form video scripts, carousels and infographics.
• Monitor performance and recommend adjustments to improve reach, engagement and overall impact.
• Work alongside the Communications Manager to manage relationships with key stakeholders across the programme – including FCDO, counterpart governments and implementing partners.
• Act as a day‑to‑day point of contact for communications with Funds and country teams.
• Coordinate with FCDO, embassies and High Commissions to align messaging and maximise amplification.
• Support FCDO Posts with strategic communications needs, including tailored messaging, content development and campaign alignment.
• Provide guidance and support to delivery partners and non‑comms colleagues on identifying and developing strong communications outputs.
• Support forward planning, editorial calendars and content pipelines, including fund‑level communications plans aligned to the Global Communications Strategy.
• Ensure all outputs meet quality, accuracy and approvals requirements, in line with UK government standards.
• Work with the Communications Manager to produce regular performance insights, using data to strengthen content and communications approaches.
• Contribute to identifying wider communications risks and opportunities across the programme, ensuring outputs are aligned to strategic priorities; work with MEL colleagues to translate evidence and outcomes into communications products for wider audiences.

Reporting

The position will report and be accountable to the UK PACT Communications Manager.

Location and Duration

This is a full‑time, UK‑based hybrid role on a fixed‑term contract from June 2026 to 31 March 2027, with potential for extension subject to performance and programme continuation. We are also open to considering applications from candidates based outside the UK, subject to right‑to‑work and operational considerations.

Candidate Specification

This is a senior communications role (typically requiring 8–10 years’ professional experience) operating at a strategic, programme‑wide level, with significant editorial leadership and responsibility for delivering high‑quality communications across a complex, multi‑country portfolio. Candidates should demonstrate a strong track record leading content and digital communications for large or high‑profile programmes, contributing to communications strategy implementation, working confidently with senior stakeholders and clients, and translating complex technical or evidence‑based outputs into compelling communications for diverse audiences.

Significant experience in communications, ideally in international development, climate or government programmes, including implementation of an organisation‑wide or programme‑wide communications strategy. Strong news sense and writing and editing skills, including ability to review and quality‑assure content drafted by others and to write blogs and other long‑form pieces when required. Proven experience developing content for digital platforms, particularly LinkedIn. Experience using design software such as Canva or Adobe Express for creation of digital assets. Experience using analytics to measure performance and inform communications strategy. Strong stakeholder management skills across different geographies and levels of seniority, including confidence engaging with clients and senior international teams in regular check‑ins and workstream meetings. Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities, including managing work‑plans and multiple deliverables across a small, distributed team (through coordination rather than line management). Experienced delivering content that demonstrates impact and results. Sound judgement, including the ability to identify and manage reputational risks. Ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture, linking communications activity to wider programme goals and external context. Professional fluency in English. Experience of working closely with senior colleagues and providing advice on communications strategy, including deputising for a communications lead/manager and coordinating approvals. Experience working on government‑funded programmes. Knowledge of climate change, energy transition, or sustainable development. Experience working across multi‑country or fund‑based programmes. Familiarity with value for money and results frameworks. Experience of managing relationships with suppliers and consultants (e.g., designers, AV, event/platform providers), including developing briefs and reviewing deliverables. Website UX optimisation. Experience delivering online events/webinars and managing email/mailing lists (CRM or equivalent), including supporting communications for Calls for Proposals and partner engagement.

Key Competencies

• Collaborative working and team support.
• Strategic thinking and judgement.
• Strong storytelling and narrative development.
• Stakeholder engagement and influencing.
• Analytical mindset and use of data.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Proactive and solutions‑focused.
• Resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, including coordinating inputs and deadlines across distributed teams and partners.
• Professionalism and discretion, including commitment to neutrality when engaging with stakeholders (including political stakeholders).

Additional Information

This is a fast‑paced role working in close partnership with the Communications Manager across a complex, global programme. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating as a deputy, balancing hands‑on delivery with strategic support, seeing the bigger picture, and navigating risk and opportunity to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of UK PACT’s communications.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: socio‑economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or if you are a neuro‑divergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding

We define Safeguarding as the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‑focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.