Strategic Narratives and Events Manager

Contract Type: Permanent - Fulltime Purpose of job To help shape ODI Global's influence by translating research into compelling narratives, high-impact events and engaging digital content that connect evidence with global policy debates. Working across programmes, the postholder will bring together institutional narratives, create opportunities for engagement before, during and after major moments, and help ensure ODI Global's ideas reach and resonate with the audiences that matter most. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. Narrative, campaigns and institutional storytelling Identify emerging policy moments and develop integrated communications opportunities around them. Work across ODI Global programmes to identify common themes and build institution-wide narratives that reinforce ODI Global's strategic priorities to inform equitable change. Translate complex research into compelling stories that resonate with policymakers, partners and wider audiences. Work closely with the Senior Communications and Policy Influencing Managers to identify group key messages, audiences, policy hooks and opportunities for influence. Help develop communication campaigns around flagship reports, major events and strategic priorities. Work with the Senior Communications and Policy Influencing Managers to ensure communications move beyond dissemination towards sustained engagement and influence. Identify opportunities to connect individual outputs into wider institutional narratives. 2. Strategic convening and events Lead the communications planning, coordination and delivery for flagship ODI Global events from conception through to post-event impact. This includes planning, preparation, logistics, delivery and post-event wrap-up. Develop practical event plans, timelines and checklists, coordinating milestones, responsibilities and approvals so events are delivered to deadline and to ODI Global standards. Identify, invite and brief speakers, contributors and chairs, preparing joining instructions, briefing notes, run-of-show documents and presentation guidance so contributors are clear on their role. Coordinate the practical delivery of in-person, online and hybrid events, including venue or platform set-up, AV requirements, accessibility, suppliers, speaker logistics, rehearsals and on-the-day troubleshooting. Ensure every major/corporate event forms part of a wider communications and engagement strategy rather than operating as a standalone activity. Work closely with speakers to maximise policy impact and media opportunities. Produce post-event impact summaries highlighting key insights, influence and next steps. Develop audience engagement plans before, during and after events, using audience insight, stakeholder intelligence and event data to improve relevance, reach and impact. Ensure events are inclusive and accessible, including consideration of formats, platforms, speaker briefings, audience needs and digital accessibility requirements. 3. Visual storytelling and content creation Capture high-quality photography at ODI Global events. Curate image libraries showcasing ODI Global's work. Identify compelling visual moments suitable for social media and publications. Produce short-form visual content including reels, carousels and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Brief the audiovisual team where additional production support is required. Ensure visual content reflects ODI Global's brand and strategic priorities. 4. Digital engagement Develop engaging social media content that supports ODI Global's institutional priorities. Create social-first content including reels, quote cards, photography, short video clips and campaign assets. Identify opportunities to engage external audiences around key debates. Produce SEO-friendly website content for ODI Global’s website, using Wagtail (ODI’ Global’s content management system), particularly event pages, speaker biographies, registration information and post-event resources. Define and report against clear success measures for digital campaigns, events and content, using insight to identify learning and recommend improvements. Work with the digital team to optimise web, email and social performance. Support ODI Global’s email marketing offer by coordinating pre/post-event mailouts, including invitations, reminders, joining instructions and follow-up emails, and contributing ideas for the weekly ODI Gobal newsletter. 5. Partnerships and influence Work with communications colleagues, researchers and strategic partners to coordinate communications that strengthen ODI Global's influence and extend the reach of its work. Build and maintain relationships with strategic external stakeholders, speakers and collaborators, identifying opportunities to broaden ODI Global's reach and influence. Develop communications materials and digital toolkits that enable partners to amplify shared messages and priorities. Identify policy, news and external engagement opportunities, ensuring events, campaigns and communications are aligned with timely external developments and institutional priorities. Advise researchers and programme teams on how to frame evidence, recommendations and technical analysis for policy, practitioner and wider public audiences. Support the development of partnerships and event programmes by identifying high-value collaborators and speakers that enhance ODI Global's reputation, audience reach and policy impact. Line manage the Senior Communications Officers and other colleagues, as assigned by the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, setting clear objectives and expectations, supporting their development and wellbeing, managing performance and development, and ensuring workloads are balanced and outputs meet agreed standards. Task manage interns, junior colleagues assistants, suppliers or colleagues on discrete event workstreams as required, providing clear instructions and quality-checking outputs. Contribute to effective ODI Global public affairs and communications Promote effective coordination and information-sharing around upcoming events, deadlines, speaker logistics, promotional milestones and post-event follow-up. Provide practical guidance to researchers and project teams on event formats, speaker preparation, audience experience and promotional requirements. Support PAC colleagues to deliver priority outputs/activities when surge capacity is required. Coordinate suppliers, freelancers or agencies where required, supporting procurement, briefing, budget tracking and value-for-money delivery. Contribute to effective team planning, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across PAC, helping to build capability and consistency in communications practice. Carry out other tasks as specified by the Director of Public Affairs and Communications. Person specification Essential Experience Substantial experience in a comparable communications post. Experience delivering influential corporate events. Experience translating complex data into accessible content. Experience working with researchers, policy specialists or other subject-matter experts to translate evidence into clear, compelling communications for different audiences. Experience planning integrated communications campaigns. Experience producing engaging digital content across multiple platforms. Experience using communications, digital or events analytics to evaluate performance and inform future activity. Experience coordinating suppliers, freelancers or agencies to deliver communications, events or content outputs. Experience line managing, supervising or developing communications staff, including setting priorities, reviewing outputs and supporting performance and development. Skills Excellent storytelling and editorial skills. Strong understanding of strategic communications and narrative development. Ability to identify emerging communications opportunities. Excellent organisational, prioritisation and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines while maintaining attention to detail. Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure. Self-starter – able to generate plans and ideas and carry them through to completion, and to work on own initiative and as part of a team. Strong negotiation and diplomacy skills. Excellent interpersonal/relationship-building skills including the ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and from different cultures. Ability to work constructively with researchers and technical experts, providing confident advice while respecting subject-matter expertise. Strong people-management skills, including the ability to motivate, coach and support colleagues to deliver high-quality work in a busy environment. Good judgement in handling sensitive or high-profile communications, including the ability to identify risks and escalate appropriately. Understanding of accessible and inclusive communications and events practice. Values-driven with integrity, demonstrating ODI Global's values and Code of Conduct, and contributing to a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment where everyone is treated fairly. Desirable Experience in research communications. Strong photography or visual storytelling skills. Other languages. Key relationships and contacts Director of Communications Events colleagues and event suppliers/platform providers Digital Manager AV team Head of Media Other Public Affairs and Communications staff Directors of programmes and researchers Speakers, chairs, contributors and invited attendees Key external stakeholders, including senior-level figures in the international affairs sector All staff are expected to: Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI Global and externally. Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues’ Health and Safety. Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by their Manager. Why should you work for us? ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities. Pension This role is eligible for USS pension scheme membership. If you're currently enrolled in the SAUL pension scheme, you may need to change schemes. SAUL Care members will be offered the option to transfer to USS, whereas SAUL Start members must transfer to USS in line with the scheme rules. Benefits We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development. Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health. For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests. At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth. For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page .