Media and Communications Senior Manager, GCoM

Media and Communications Senior Manager, GCoM

Department

Global Covenant of Mayors

Employment Type

Fixed Term

Minimum Experience

Senior Manager/Supervisor

Compensation

(Grade 3) Brazil (IC) USD 78,740 & South Africa ZAR 1,067,386 (gross per annum)

Position title: Media and Communications Senior Manager, GCoM

Department: Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)

Reporting to: Head of Communications, GCoM

Location: Brazil, South Africa - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application.

Salary:(Grade 3) Brazil (IC) USD 78,740 & South Africa ZAR 1,067,386 gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location.

Term:Fixed term until 31st December 2028 (The appointment and the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding)

About The Global Covenant of Mayors For Climate & Energy

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM or Global Covenant), is a global coalition of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low-carbon, resilient society. The alliance unites and inspires its stakeholders to strengthen global climate coherence, accelerate the energy transition, and generate locally-tailored solutions for a common purpose: creating an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient future for all.

Co-chaired by former New York City Mayor and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, and European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, and with the support of global and regional city networks, the Global Covenant of Mayors represents the strongest and clearest signal to national governments that cities are not only acting to stop the effects of climate change, they are leading and leading together. Mayors from across all global regions serve on the Board, and represent city networks, Regional Covenants and bring locally specific perspectives – ensuring that the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is truly led by mayors.

C40 Cities is the fiscal sponsor of the Bloomberg Philanthropies funded parts of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). As the host organization, C40 provides financial, administrative, and operational services to GCoM. C40 and GCoM are working closely together on aligned programmes and areas of activity.

GCoM Strategic Direction

No single organization, initiative, sector, or government, however innovative or impactful, can accomplish all the transformational, systemic changes required of the global community. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy enables cities, local governments, and the networks that support them to bridge the gap from climate ambition to action delivery.

The alliance unites and inspires its stakeholders to strengthen global climate coherence, accelerate the energy transition, and generate locally-tailored solutions for a common purpose: creating an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient future for all.

GCoM’s Strategic Plan is focused on deepening support through technical assistance and other means to cities that have already committed to the Global Covenant and to accelerate action delivery across all levels of government and with the private sector, academia and civil society.

Position Description:

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) seeks an experienced and strategic Media and Communications Manager to serve as a senior contributor and integral member of the communications team. This pivotal role is responsible for contributing to GCoM's global visibility, assisting in the communications response for critical issues, and supporting the delivery of the overall communication strategy across high-level events and initiatives. Success in this role requires navigating a complex organisational landscape, working across core funders, institutional partners, and the broader GCoM alliance to ensure alignment and connection. The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with a strong background in media relations and narrative development, including direct experience working in or with city governments.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications & Leadership

• Leadership Support: Support the GCoM Head of Communications in strategic decision-making and day-to-day operations by conducting landscape research, drafting high-level briefing materials, and contributing to the development of overall organisational positioning.
• Support the overall GCoM Communications Strategy: Support in developing and managing the overarching communications strategy, narrative, and annual work plan, ensuring alignment with GCoM's mission and strategic priorities.
• Narrative & Key Messaging: Drive the development and consistent application of the GCoM narrative. Develop and maintain the key message box for all GCoM spokespeople, including Board members and staff, ensuring message discipline and clarity across all platforms.
• Comms Working Group (C-TWG): Co-facilitate the administration and communications for the Comms Working Group (C-TWG), including coordinating meeting schedules, drafting agendas, and summarising key outcomes, with support from the Communications Officer.

Media Relations & Issues Management

• Proactive Media Engagement: Lead GCoM's media relations efforts, including proactive pitching of stories, thought leadership pieces, and announcements to global and regional media outlets.
• Strategic Partner Media Coordination: Serve as a primary media liaison for funders and partners, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the European Commission, C40 Cities, FGS Global, and the broader GCoM Alliance. This involves coordinating as needed to align on joint strategies, press releases, and announcements, ensuring message synchronisation during shared initiatives, major policy advocacy moments, and official events.
• Media Infrastructure: Create and maintain a comprehensive reporter contact list and media database, fostering strong relationships with key journalists and media influencers.
• Proactive media - GCoM strategy, external messaging, position stories with Journals: Drive the overall GCoM proactive media strategy, authoring core external messaging and talking points, and actively building relationships with editors and writers to strategically position GCoM program stories and announcements with target journals.
• Tracking & Analysis: Track media story placement and coverage. Manage and report on media metrics and analytics to assess performance and inform future strategy.
• Crisis Management: In close coordination with the Head of Communications, act as a primary resource for crisis management, rapidly developing communication responses, statements, and strategies to address sensitive or time-critical external issues, protecting GCoM's reputation.

Event Communications Planning & Execution

• High-Level Event Communications Support: Contribute to the planning and execution of communications for high-priority global events, such as I4C26, the GCoM 10-year anniversary, COP, and other significant convenings, ensuring seamless delivery.
• Strategy Development: Create robust communication strategies and concept notes for major events, outlining goals, target audiences, content streams, and media engagement plans.

Person Specification:

• 5-7 years of experience in a high-level communications role, with a significant focus on media relations and strategic planning, preferably within the non-profit, climate, or international development sectors.
• Experience working in or with city governments.
• Familiarity with the landscape of climate action, urban sustainability, and/or international organisations.
• Demonstrable expertise in proactive media pitching and relationships with international and climate-focused journalists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to develop compelling narratives, key messages, and formal communications strategies.
• Experience in issues management and crisis communication.
• Leadership qualities, including experience supervising and motivating busy colleagues in a fast-moving international environment.
• Proven ability to work effectively and flexibly across a global team, navigating diverse cultural contexts and multiple time zones.
• Fluency in English.
• Passion for environmental and climate issues; knowledge of global climate action is an advantage.
• Experience working for a global organisation.
• Excellent IT skills - Highly competent with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and conference call/webinar systems (e.g., Zoom), Google Drive.

Desirable:

• Experience in the field of climate finance.
• Experience working with creative agencies and other communications external suppliers.
• Familiarity with the landscape of climate action, urban sustainability, and/or international organisations.
• Proficiency in a second UN language (e.g., Spanish, French).

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the listed locations. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.

C40 offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and work-life balance:

• Paid Time Off: Full-time employees receive 35 days of paid time off annually, which includes all national holidays.
• Company Shutdowns: In addition to the standard paid time off, C40 provides two non-contractual, non-statutory shutdown weeks each year (mid-year and end-of-year) for a full break.
• Parental Leave: All employees are eligible for up to 52 weeks of parenting leave. The first 16 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's current salary. Weeks 17 through 52 are unpaid by C40, unless payment is required by national law.
• Flexible Working: C40 supports flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance, provided they align with business requirements.
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL): Employees can take TOIL to recover following periods of excessive hours or travel.
• Sick Leave: Entitlement to sick leave increases upon the successful completion of the employee's probation period.
• Employee Training: Training and development opportunities are available to all staff (excluding temporary staff and interns) after they have completed and passed their probation period.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential services, such as counselling, are accessible for short-term support.
• Pension scheme: C40 offers a pension scheme to employees in eligible locations. Availability is determined by the country of employment.
• Private Health Insurance: This is provided in countries where publicly funded healthcare is not available.

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Friday, 6th March 2026 GMT UK Time. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.

For any queries about the role, please contact careers@C40.org. Kindly note that this email address is for recruitment related queries only. We are unable to accept CVs and cover letters sent to this inbox. We can only accept and process applications that are submitted via our website.

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.

Background

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.

C40’s team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.

The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies and Realdania.

Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.

Diversity Statement

C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better.

We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.

We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.

C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort.

Location

Brazil, South Africa

Department

Global Covenant of Mayors

Employment Type

Fixed Term

Minimum Experience

Senior Manager/Supervisor

Compensation

(Grade 3) Brazil (IC) USD 78,740 & South Africa ZAR 1,067,386 (gross per annum)