People Communications Lead

Job Description

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our WRI Europe office in London or the Hague. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission if based in the UK.

About the Program:

WRI’s 5-year strategic plan commits us to have impact across people, nature and climate. To do this, we need to have the right skills, experience and local knowledge across all our locations. We also need to build an inclusive, equitable and diverse environment so that everyone has a great experience at WRI.

The ambition of the Global People team is to have impact through excellent core services, strategic talent management, great career development and a people-first approach. The Global People Network (GHRN) comprises of People leaders from all WRI offices and the People Centres of Excellence.

Job Highlights:

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will drive strategic, engaging, and clear internal communications across WRI’s global People function. You will develop and execute strategies that establish WRI as a global employer of choice. You will strengthen our brand identity across regional and country offices. You will shape and implement a unifying People brand, lead communications on major people-related change initiatives e.g. Workday roll out. This will ensure staff across all locations understand how to access People services, policies, and benefits. You will collaborate closely with People Centres of Excellence (COEs), Country People Leads, and core communications teams to ensure timely, consistent, and people-centered messaging.

With a dotted line into the WRI communications team, you’ll collaborate to ensure a consistent tone and messaging across channels. You will also join the internal communications network to align on priorities and best practices across OneWRI.

You will employ both strategic thinking and hands-on content creation to advance WRI’s mission and engage diverse audiences.

Your creativity, leadership, and strategic insight will be crucial in building a stronger WRI that can deliver the impact at scale needed for this crucial decade.

What you will do:

Strategic People communications leadership:

• Lead the development and execution of a global People communications strategy aligned with WRI’s values, culture, and People Vision
• Define and maintain a cohesive People brand identity—voice, tone, and visuals—across countries, functions, and staff levels
• Strengthen WRI's employer brand ensuring our values and culture are reflected in how we attract and retain talent
• Advise the Chief People Officer and People leadership on strategic messaging and internal positioning
• Lead communications support for the CPO, including speech writing, presentation development, and a social media strategy. Develop executive messaging that aligns with WRI’s narrative
• Create compelling narratives and storytelling to highlight People priorities and impact
• Position People as a trusted, strategic partner through clear, consistent messaging
• Maintain a communications calendar tied to key internal and external people-related events
• Collaborate across WRI functions, programs, and offices to integrate our People narrative

Internal communications:

• Ensure staff across all locations understand how to access People services, policies, and benefits
• Translate complex People policies and processes (e.g., performance, promotions, benefits) into staff-friendly content and guidance in collaboration with technical experts.
• Partner with Country People Leads to localize messaging and adapt delivery
• Promote consistent communication standards in country offices
• Manage updates to our intranet pages and self-service resources
• Partner closely with Global Comms, IT, Ops teams, and other functions to ensure alignment and coordination
• Support the Center of Excellence in launching new initiatives through tailored internal campaigns
• Represent People communications in cross-functional working groups and contribute to organization-wide messaging
• Work with the CPO and Internal Communications team to foster two-way communication to ensure greater transparency, understanding, and connection between WRI colleagues

People transformation communications:

• Lead communications for major people-related change initiatives, such as digital system implementations, policy shifts, or process transformations (e.g., Workday rollout)
• Craft messaging that supports mindset shifts, behaviour change, and long-term adoption among staff, managers, and People teams
• Develop accessible toolkits, FAQs, visuals, and digital content to clarify complex changes and drive engagement
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to ensure communications and training efforts are integrated, timely, and people-centered.

What you will need:

• Education: You have a qualification in communications, journalism, or a related subject. Relevant work experience in lieu of a degree is accepted.
• Experience: You have communications experience, including leading internal communications, preferably in a complex, global organization
• Experience designing and managing communications for enterprise systems (e.g., Workday, SAP) or large change initiatives
• Experience drafting narratives and telling stories
• An inclusive approach that promotes diversity and equity
• Experience in managing People campaigns
• Ability to translate complex data and policies into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Proven leadership and track record of creating and implementing brand and communications strategies
• Experience producing compelling written documents, editing, speechwriting and proofreading
• Demonstrable familiarity with digital channels and strategies
• Familiarity with People processes and systems
• Experience in performance management, employee engagement, and organizational development communications
• Familiarity with visual communications, intranet content, and HRIS platforms
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required if based in the UK.

Potential Salary:

If based in the Netherlands: €68,000 – €86,000

If based in the UK: £54,000 - £68,000

Salary is commensurate with experience and other relevant factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 28 July 2025. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.