In a pivotal moment for global environmental action, the imperative to elevate the perspectives of young leaders has never been more critical, leading prominent organizations to seek out professionals who can translate passionate advocacy into impactful, coherent messaging. Youth and Environment Europe (YEE), a leading youth-led network dedicated to environmental protection and climate justice, has announced a significant opportunity for a skilled communications professional to join its ranks. This position is not merely about managing social media or writing press releases; it represents a core function aimed at strengthening the visibility and influence of youth-driven initiatives across the European continent. The organization is seeking a Communications Manager for a fully remote, nine-month contract beginning in April 2026. This role is designed for an individual who can strategically steer both internal and external communications, ensuring that the organization’s intersectional and values-driven work resonates with member organizations, institutional partners, and the broader public, thereby solidifying its role as a key player in the European environmental landscape.
1. Defining the Strategic Communications Mandate
The Communications Manager position at Youth and Environment Europe is a central, strategic role tasked with coordinating and guiding the organization’s comprehensive communication efforts across all its projects, campaigns, and internal processes. The primary objective is to ensure that YEE’s messaging remains consistent, accessible, and firmly aligned with its foundational values of being an intersectional, youth-led entity. This involves translating complex advocacy work, detailed project outcomes, and nuanced policy positions into clear, compelling, and engaging content tailored for diverse audiences. The individual in this role will be pivotal in bolstering YEE’s outreach to its network of member organizations, fostering stronger connections with partners and institutions, and expanding its reach to a wider public audience. The scope of the role extends beyond public-facing communications; it also encompasses the critical function of facilitating smooth and efficient internal information flow, ensuring seamless coordination and collaboration among the organization’s various teams and stakeholders. This dual focus highlights the manager’s integral role in maintaining both external impact and internal coherence.
This key position operates at the nexus of several internal and external groups, requiring extensive collaboration and coordination. The Communications Manager works in close partnership with the dedicated Communications team, the Executive Board, and the Secretariat to align on strategic priorities and messaging. Furthermore, the role involves direct interaction with staff, volunteers, and the broad network of member organizations to gather input and disseminate information effectively. Externally, the manager will engage with partners and allied networks, playing a crucial part in maintaining and strengthening these relationships. The position blends high-level strategic oversight with practical, hands-on content creation and detailed coordination responsibilities. In situations where specific projects or initiatives lack dedicated communications staff, the Communications Manager will take the lead, developing tailored strategies, orchestrating contributions from various stakeholders, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality communication materials. This dynamic function demands a professional who can adeptly switch between long-term planning and immediate execution.
2. Core Responsibilities and Candidate Profile
The responsibilities of the Communications Manager are multifaceted, covering several core areas essential to the organization’s success. In the realm of strategy, planning, and reporting, the role involves developing and overseeing comprehensive communication strategies that directly support YEE’s overarching mission and strategic priorities. This includes meticulously planning communications for various projects, campaigns, and organizational milestones, as well as monitoring and reporting on the performance and impact of these efforts to inform future activities. For content creation and website management, the manager will be responsible for creating, editing, and curating engaging content for all digital platforms, including social media channels, newsletters, and the official website. This also entails designing and coordinating the production of digital communication materials such as compelling visuals, informative brochures, and concise short videos. A key duty is the continuous oversight and management of the YEE website, ensuring its content remains current, relevant, and accessible to all users.
To succeed in this role, Youth and Environment Europe is searching for candidates who possess a unique blend of professional skills and a deep alignment with the organization’s values. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to YEE’s mission, demonstrated through previous professional or voluntary experience. A proven track record in team leadership or coordination is highly desirable, as is hands-on experience in designing a variety of digital communication materials, including social media content, brochures, or short videos. A robust working knowledge of environmental and climate issues, particularly EU-level policies, is considered essential. Candidates should also have experience managing websites or other digital platforms and feel comfortable working within a small, collaborative, and international team environment. The organization values a creative, solution-oriented mindset and seeks an individual who can propose innovative ideas to enhance communication effectiveness. Above all, a strong motivation to work in a diverse, international setting focused on youth empowerment is a critical attribute for the person who will fill this important position.
3. Application and Selection Protocol
The application process is structured to identify candidates with the right combination of experience, skills, and dedication. The call for applications is open until February 15, 2026, and all submissions must be completed by 23:59 CET on that date. Prospective applicants are required to prepare and submit three key components. First, a comprehensive CV that outlines their relevant educational background as well as professional and voluntary experience. Second, a portfolio that showcases examples of previous communications work, providing tangible evidence of their skills in content creation and campaign management. Third, all candidates must complete the official online application form before the deadline. It is important to note that late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances. The organization has also stated that the use of AI tools to complete the application is discouraged, as it prioritizes genuine personal reflection and original input from candidates to better assess their suitability for the role and their alignment with the organization’s ethos.
Following the application deadline, a rigorous selection process will commence. The shortlisting of candidates will begin immediately after February 15. Those selected from the initial pool of applicants will be invited to participate in online interviews, which are scheduled to take place during the second and third weeks of March 2026. As part of the interview stage, shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short practical exercise in advance, which is expected to take approximately one hour to finish. This exercise is designed to assess their practical skills and strategic thinking in a simulated work scenario. Essential requirements for all applicants include excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, residence in Europe (with an existing EU working permit preferred), and a minimum of two years of experience in a communications-related role. In line with the organization’s youth mandate, applicants must also be under the age of 35 by the end of the contract period.
A Commitment to Inclusive Opportunity
The organization emphasized its dedication to equal opportunity, strongly encouraging applications from individuals who might not meet every single listed criterion but who are passionate about environmental justice and youth engagement. It was a clear statement that lived experience and a commitment to the mission were highly valued alongside formal qualifications. The remuneration for the full-time role was established at a gross monthly rate of €3,603.19 under a service contract, with the contract set to run from April 1 to December 31, 2026. This initiative represented a significant step in providing a platform for a skilled professional to channel their expertise toward a cause that resonated with a generation determined to shape a more sustainable future. The selection process concluded with the aim of bringing a new, dynamic voice into the organization’s core team.
