ABOUT EIT FOOD

EIT Food is growing Europe’s food innovation ecosystem to build a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system. We empower innovators and entrepreneurs. We invest in ideas and talent. And we create space for science, research, industry, and policymakers to accelerate systemic change across the food sector.

By mobilising the collective power of our ecosystem, we tackle Europe’s most pressing food challenges - driving innovation in resilient agriculture, protein diversification, and agrifood biotech to build a sustainable future for people and the planet.

EIT Food is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, set up in 2017 to accelerate food system innovation in Europe. EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional hubs in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Netherlands), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.

Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Communications unit engages a wide range of stakeholders on behalf of EIT Food, advancing our mission and reinforcing EIT Food's position as Europe’s largest and most dynamic food innovation ecosystem. It plays a pivotal role in building brand value, strengthening our reputation and expanding our network through the development and delivery of integrated communications aligned with EIT Food’s overall strategy.

The Senior Communications Manager is part of the Brand & Communications team and combines senior responsibility for EIT Food’s central media relations with broad, hands-on communications and project delivery for strategic initiatives.

This is a role for an experienced communications generalist with deep media expertise. You will act as a senior point of contact for media across EIT Food, managing incoming media requests, identifying proactive opportunities and helping protect and strengthen EIT Food’s reputation. You will work confidently with journalists, senior leaders, subject-matter experts and colleagues across the organisation, helping translate complex topics into clear, compelling communications for external audiences.

At the same time, a significant part of the role will involve the delivery of communications and dissemination for corporately funded and externally funded projects, including EU-funded initiatives. You will lead or contribute to communications work packages and be comfortable delivering the full range of activities within a communications plan, from strategy and messaging through to content creation, media relations, social media, websites, events, interviews, video and stakeholder communications.

This is therefore not a purely media-relations role. We are looking for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and who can move comfortably between an urgent journalist enquiry, planning a media campaign, creating communications content and managing the deliverables, budget and reporting requirements for complex funded projects.

You will operate with a high degree of autonomy and ownership, reporting to the Director of Brand & Communications and collaborating closely with colleagues across EIT Food as well as external partners and project consortia.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Media relations (roughly 40% of role)

• Act as a senior media contact for EIT Food, managing and coordinating media enquiries across the organisation and ensuring responses are accurate, timely and aligned with EIT Food’s positioning and messaging.
• Approve, draft and consult on press releases for EIT Food and its projects (roughly 40 approvals and 15 drafts per year)
• Work with senior leaders and subject-matter experts to prepare for interviews and media engagement, including developing key messages, briefing materials and Q&As.
• Monitor the media environment and emerging issues relevant to EIT Food and its mission, identifying potential opportunities and reputational considerations.
  
  

Strategic project communications management (roughly 60% of role)

• Lead and coordinate the high-quality delivery of communications and dissemination work packages for corporately funded (or EU-funded) initiatives
• Develop and implement integrated communications and dissemination plans for assigned projects, translating project objectives and contractual commitments into practical communications activity and measurable deliverables.
• Maintain oversight of communications work-package priorities, deliverables, milestones, budgets and reporting requirements, ensuring activities are delivered on time and to the required standard.
  
  

Integrated communications delivery

The successful candidate will be a hands-on communications generalist. Depending on project requirements and organisational priorities, you will be expected to plan and personally deliver activity across a broad communications mix, including:

• Writing and editing compelling communications for different audiences and channels.
• Developing messaging, narratives, communications plans and campaign concepts.
• Developing and publishing social media content.
• Measuring communications performance and using insights to improve future activity.

The precise mix will vary according to organisational and project priorities, so breadth, adaptability and willingness to deliver are essential. The scope of the role may evolve in response to EIT Food’s strategic priorities, funded-project portfolio and communications needs.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

Essential

• At least 7 years’ professional communications experience, including experience operating at a senior level in a complex, international or matrixed organisation.
• Strong, demonstrable media-relations experience, including handling incoming media enquiries, proactive media engagement, developing media materials and working directly with journalists.
• Demonstrable experience developing and delivering integrated communications plans, with the ability and willingness to personally execute activity across multiple channels.
• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills in English, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, engaging communications for different audiences.
• Strong project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines, stakeholders, deliverables and competing priorities.
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy while working collaboratively as part of an international team.
• Near-native professional English is required.
  
  

Funded-project experience

• Candidates should also have experience of delivering communications within funded, partnership-based or similarly complex project environments. Experience in delivering communications and dissemination work packages of funded projects focused on positive societal impact as part of a corporate team is an asset.

Broader communications expertise

As a senior communications generalist, you should be able to demonstrate additional relevant experience across the following areas:

• Media Relations: Media handling, journalist relationships, pitching, press releases, interview preparation and reputation management.
• Content Creation: Creating compelling, audience-specific content across different formats and platforms.
• Strategic Communications: Turning organisational or project objectives into actionable communications plans.
• Digital & Social: Managing and optimising digital communications and social media channels, inclunding creating straightforward visual assets using tools such as Canva.
• Storytelling: Finding strong human and organisational stories within complex programmes, projects and subject areas.
• Brand: Applying brand guidelines, tone of voice and messaging consistently across channels.
• Project Management: Delivering complex communications activity against agreed plans, deadlines, budgets and deliverables.
• Stakeholder Management: Working effectively with senior leaders, partners, experts and colleagues across different functions and countries.
• Procurement and contracting of communications, media, content or design services.
  
  
• Experience in the agrifood sector, innovation, research, sustainability or other mission-led environments would be an advantage.
• Polish and/or other European language skills are an asset.

WHAT WE OFFER

Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system. Together, we're making a real impact on the food industry and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join us.

As a valued member of our team, we'll provide you with a competitive salary and benefits package aligned with local practices. This role is graded as Senior Manager. To view the expected annual gross salary range for your country, please refer to our Salary Overview Table. 

CONTRACT TYPE

Full-time Permanent position.

LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY

This role is based in Poland. To be eligible, you must be based in Poland and have the legal right to work there. We offer flexible working arrangements, including remote and hybrid options, depending on local policies and requirements.

Occasional travel within Europe.

APPLICATION

We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. EIT Food always reserves the right to close the vacancy earlier. We recommend submitting your application at the earliest opportunity to ensure consideration.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At EIT Food we believe that diversity and inclusion make us stronger. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates, regardless of age, gender, background, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We welcome applications from everyone and strive to create a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential.