Managing Director, Communications - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (London)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Requisition ID 37092 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division The President Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 4 years with potential to renew for a further 4 years Posting End Date 25/10/2026

Purpose of Job

The Managing Director, Communications is accountable for leading and overseeing the development of the Bank’s external and internal communications strategy.

This role drives an innovative and strategically aligned approach to communications and is critical to strengthening the Bank’s visibility, profile and reputation among key stakeholders and the wider public, both in its countries of operation and internationally. It promotes awareness of the EBRD’s transition mandate, mission and activities, while helping to safeguard and enhance the Bank’s reputation.

The role closely interacts with other members of the senior management, including the President, as well as Board members and all the key external and internal stakeholders. The role has an Observer status within the Bank’s Executive Committee (ExCom), and is involved in taking wider Bank decisions, beyond those in the Communications sphere.

Facts/Scale

- Three direct reports, span of control of…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • Serve as strategic adviser to the President on internal and external communications, positioning and reputation
  • Lead development and delivery of the Bank's communications strategy across media, external stakeholders and internal audiences
  • Provide leadership across the Communications Department ensuring cohesion of approach and alignment of messaging
  • Advise senior leadership on building, enhancing and protecting the EBRD's reputation and image
  • Lead the Bank's response to communications-related crises and reputational risks
  • Build and maintain relationships with Board members, ministers and key stakeholders
  • Act as the Bank's senior spokesperson
  • Contribute to the Bank's strategy and decision-making as observer member of the Executive Committee

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Experience: Extensive experience and expertise in corporate and/or governmental communications and media with proven ability to strengthen organisational reputation. Strong track record of providing strategic communications counsel in complex and politically sensitive environments. Experience of leading and embedding innovation in communications.
  • Key skills: Strategic thinking and shaping innovative communications strategies, Judgement in dealing with sensitive communications and PR issues, Excellent oral and written communication, Strong interpersonal skills and relationship building, Ability to operate at high level with ministers from shareholder countries, Strong networks across media and communications, Leadership and management of large departments, Leveraging digital channels and emerging technologies, Political acumen and judgement in messaging and stakeholder engagement

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years with potential to renew for a further 4 years.

Working arrangements: Hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals.

Hiring unit: The President.

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Managing Director, Communications at EBRD based in London.

Requisition ID 37092 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division The President Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 4 years with potential to renew for a further 4 years Posting End Date 25/10/2026

Purpose of Job

The Managing Director, Communications is accountable for leading and overseeing the development of the Bank’s external and internal communications strategy.

This role drives an innovative and strategically aligned approach to communications and is critical to strengthening the Bank’s visibility, profile and reputation among key stakeholders and the wider public, both in its countries of operation and internationally. It promotes awareness of the EBRD’s transition mandate, mission and activities, while helping to safeguard and enhance the Bank’s reputation.

The role closely interacts with other members of the senior management, including the President, as well as Board members and all the key external and internal stakeholders. The role has an Observer status within the Bank’s Executive Committee (ExCom), and is involved in taking wider Bank decisions, beyond those in the Communications sphere.

Facts/Scale

- Three direct reports, span of control of 50-55 staff. - Responsible for an annual department budget circa £5 million pounds a year. - Advising the President as well as other ExCom members and the Board. - Responsible for both the Communications Strategy and helping to draw up and influence the Bank’s wider strategy.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

- Serve as a strategic adviser to the President on the Bank’s internal and external communications, positioning and reputation. - Lead the development and delivery of the Bank’s communications strategy across media, external stakeholders and internal audiences, ensuring consistent, engaging and impactful communications aligned with the Bank’s strategic priorities, transformation agenda and workplace behaviours. - Provide leadership across the Communications Department, ensuring cohesion of approach, alignment of messaging and effective delivery of communications services, products and events that support the Bank’s mission. - Advise senior leadership on building, enhancing and protecting the EBRD’s reputation and image, including leading the Bank’s response to communications-related crises and reputational risks. - Build and maintain relationships with Board members, ministers and other key stakeholders to strengthen understanding and support for the Bank’s activities and investments. - Act as the Bank’s senior spokesperson, ensuring communications reflect the Bank’s strategic direction and business objectives. - Contribute to the Bank’s strategy and decision-making as an observer member of the Executive Committee. - Lead the evolution of the Communications Department, including organisational design, transformation initiatives and the adoption of emerging communications practices, technologies and AI-enabled capabilities, supported by appropriate governance frameworks. - Set the Department’s strategic objectives, manage its resources and budget, and ensure the effective delivery of high-quality communications activities and outcomes. - Lead, develop and inspire a diverse team, fostering a high-performance culture and creating opportunities for professional growth and development. - Champion and role model the Bank’s Workplace Behaviours, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct across the department.

This job description is not limited to the responsibilities listed above and the successful candidate may be required to undertake other duties in line with business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

- Extensive experience and expertise in corporate and/or governmental communications and media, with a proven ability to strengthen organisational reputation, build stakeholder confidence and advance strategic objectives through effective communications. - A well-developed understanding of geo-political and economic issues affecting economies, particularly those within the EBRD’s regions. - Proven ability to think strategically and shape innovative, forward-looking communications strategies that advance the Bank’s objectives and reputation. - Demonstrable judgement in dealing with sensitive communications and PR issues. - Strong track record of providing strategic communications counsel in a complex and politically sensitive environment, underpinned by exceptional political acumen and judgement in determining the most effective messaging, timing, channels and stakeholder engagement approaches to advance the Bank’s objectives and profile. - Excellent ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. - Very strong interpersonal skills and able to build and manage relationships with people at all levels within the Bank’s constituencies. - Ability to interact and operate at a high level, within the Bank and with ministers from shareholder countries. - Strong networks across media and communications, in areas relevant to the Bank’s strategy and operations. - Able to inspire, lead and manage a large department and provide wider leadership within the Bank. - Experience of leading and embedding innovation in communications, leveraging digital channels, emerging technologies and new engagement approaches to enhance the Bank’s reach, impact and effectiveness.

Please note that we are working with an external search firm in the recruitment for this position. By applying for this position you are consenting to your details being shared with this third party. If you have any queries in relation to this role, please submit enquiries [email protected] mention "EBRD MD Communications" in the email subject line.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

- Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. - A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively. - A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. - An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. - A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).

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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 24 September 2026, 47 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 23 October 2026 (18 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EBRD see the EBRD institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in London see our London location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at EBRD, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

EBRD has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and subject signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

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