Digital Communications Officer

About us

EMBO is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Our diverse international team of approximately 60 staff collaborate closely with one another and with external stakeholders to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Your role 

The Digital Communications Officer is a key member of the EMBO Communications team, leading the management and development of its digital channels (web and social media) to enhance EMBO’s purpose and impact, while driving engagement with a variety of stakeholder groups.

Reporting to the Head of Communications, the Digital Communications Officer will:

• Lead the development and management of EMBO’s digital communication channels (website and social media) according to EMBO’s strategic priorities.
• Support the development and execution of the EMBO Content/Editorial Plan for all digital channels and deliver high-quality content in various formats.
• Oversee the development and execution of social media campaigns.
• Curate and be responsible for the digital platforms (EMBO official website and Courses & Workshops websites) with a focus on maintaining content integrity over time, including managing platform changes and validating their impact on published content, working with IT support as needed.
• Contribute to the development of new ways of working, including analysing, identifying and proposing strategic and operational improvements to EMBO digital communications.
• Keep up to date with trends and the development of digital communication channel development, including content creation and management for these channels.
• Lead the analysis of metrics of all digital channels, translating them into key performance indicators and insights to inform plans and priorities. Create and manage regular presentations of channel performance.
• Manage relations with, and deliveries from, providers of systems, tools and infrastructures for digital communication channels.
• Build strong and trusting relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Communications team on specific projects and activities, contributing with communications expertise, content creation and distribution.
• Perform other Communications duties, as required.

You have

• First-level university degree.
• At least five years of professional experience in organizational communications, preferably in an international setting, with a focus on digital communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Evidence of producing content for online platforms.
• Experience in using corporate social media management applications and analytics.
• Experience of working independently with CMS (ideally WordPress), and using judgement to apply SEO and accessibility best practices.
• Excellent spoken and written knowledge of English.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of strategic communications principles.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Contract length

3 years (renewable to a maximum of 9 years)

Salary

Grade 5 (monthly salary starting at €4.031,02 after tax and before 12.99% EMBL social security deductions) + other paid benefits based on personal circumstances

Application process

To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Why join us

EMBO is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. We fund talented researchers at all career stages, facilitate scientific exchanges through high-quality academic publishing, conferences, and lectures, and foster a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Our diverse international team of approximately 70 staff collaborate closely with one another and with external stakeholders to further our mission. EMBO is located on the international EMBL life sciences research campus in Heidelberg, Germany.

Heidelberg, with a population of around 160,000 people, is an international university city and research hub. It is attractively located between the Rhine River and the Odenwald, a low mountain range that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The city has good national and international travel connections.

Promote the life sciences

At EMBO, you can contribute significantly to the advancement of life sciences in Europe and beyond. Your work will enable talented scientists to do great research and create an environment that enables their success.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition public holidays
• Relocation package including installation grant (if applicable)
• Campus life: Free shuttle bus, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
• Family benefits: Kindergarten, 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances
• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.
• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

How to apply: To apply please submit a Cover Letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

EMBL/ EMBO is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

Diversity and inclusion: At EMBO, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and scientific excellence. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, identities, nationalities and/or any other diverse backgrounds.