Science and Policy Projects Manager

Science and Policy Projects Manager

Salary: £31,500-£36,000 FTE

Location: Hybrid, with regular visits to MWC’s office in Bristol 

Contract length: 2 years (with a 6-month probation period)

Reporting to: Associate Director of Sustainability and Innovation

Start date: As soon as possible

Deadline for applications: 11th March 2024, at 12pm

About Mindfully Wired Communications (MWC) 

MWC is a vibrant and unique consultancy working on marine environmental issues and
campaigns through bold, values-led communication. We work broadly across issues of marine
governance and protection, seafood marketing and the blue economy, and coastal communities. As
a small-but-mighty team of scientists, linguists, event pros, policy buffs, and creatives, we
use our broad experience and personal values to tell a new story of sustainability.

Our Science and Policy Team work to bridge the gap between science, policy, the fishing
and marine environment industries, and the wider world. We work closely with both the Creative
and Marketing Team, and Events Team to deliver impact for our clients, creating positive and
compelling communications across the board.

• We translate complex projects, language, and ideas into beautifully designed and
  well-written communications outputs to help our clients share their stories with other
  stakeholders, and with the broader public. 
• Working with our clients, or on their behalf, we conduct thorough desk-based and
  interview style research to write comprehensive, evidence-based reports – our design
  expertise means we can make them look fantastic, too.
• We are facilitators – helping to bring people together to talk about science,
  policy, fisheries or marine issues, drawing on our diverse experience to ensure all
  stakeholders are empowered to share their thoughts. 
• We see ourselves as bolt-on members of our clients’ teams – so our clients can make
  the most of our external viewpoint, diverse expertise and technical skills, when we deliver
  high-quality communication services for them.

The role

We are looking for a highly enthusiastic, passionate, flexible and experienced project
manager and/or policy expert to manage a suite of MWC’s science and policy projects, whilst
leading a team of staff at different levels of seniority.

The projects all focus on providing governance and communication services that aim to
bridge the gap between science and policy, working closely with a diverse client base of
policy-makers, academics, the fishing industry and environmental NGOs, to contribute towards
evidence-based policy. Central to your portfolio will be a suite of exciting projects featuring
pelagic fisheries, sustainable seafood, UK fisheries management as well as others with a marine
and environmental focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management – including budget, time and team management – for a
  wide-ranging portfolio of projects of various sizes at any given time. 
• Overall team management and pastoral care for junior staff at Officer and Senior
  Officer level – inclusive of effective task delegation, regular quality assurance of the
  team’s work, and strategic oversight of projects. Day-to-day pastoral support and regular
  performance management and support for the career development of staff is also
  required.
• Client management and contact as required for projects in the Science and Policy
  team, noting this contact is often the responsibility of other team members for certain
  projects. 

Responsibilities are delivered through the completion of tasks including, but not
limited to:

• Writing, copy-editing and digesting complex science and policy materials into
  focussed copy, press releases and research reports for clients, as the lead author or in
  collaboration with team members and the Associate Director of Sustainability &
  Innovation.
• Developing concepts and delivering design guidance for graphic-designed reports and
  infographics, in collaboration with designers internal and external to MWC. 
• Providing secretariat and rapporteuring services, including chairing, facilitating
  and writing reports for meetings and stakeholder forums.
• Working closely with the Associate Director of Sustainability & Innovation,
  Science and Policy team members and other staff across MWC, to design and deliver branding
  or rebranding for clients and their projects. 
• Concept development and working closely with an external WordPress developer and
  in-house designer to develop modern, engaging websites, campaigns and tools for clients
  and/or their projects.
• Providing regular clearance and quality assurance for written and design work from
  Science and Policy team members. 
• Supporting the Associate Director of Sustainability & Innovation with business
  development for the team, including drafting quotes, managing contracts and planning
  projects when bidding for new tenders and clients.

Candidate specification

Must-haves

• Excellent writing skills, and the ability to translate complex science and policy
  ideas into concise, broadly approachable, and digestible language. 
• Excellent copy-editing skills, for either scientific and policy papers, press-style
  writing and a range of formats suitable for diverse audiences.
• Experience successfully managing multiple concurrent projects, and the ability to
  effectively manage your own time and tasks delegated to your team in order to meet
  competing, and ever-changing deadlines across projects. 
• Demonstrable ability to develop and build successful working relationships with a
  range of external clients, including policy-makers, academics, the fishing and aquaculture
  industries. and/or the environmental NGO sector. 
• Knowledge of or an interest in UK (or other) government policy, functioning and
  day-to-day operations. 
• A passion for all things that support the environment, a taste for delicious
  seafood, and a commitment to working as part of a (very enthusiastic) team of
  #KeenMarines.
• A degree-level qualification is essential.

Desirables

• A keen eye for design detail, and experience using Adobe suite of software and/or
  Canva is desirable, but not essential. 
• A degree-level qualification in the fields of marine science, public policy or a
  similar subject is desirable, but not essential. 
• Experience and/or an understanding of governance processes, including providing
  Secretariat services for boards, public committees or for discrete projects and
  programmes. 
• Experience running and supporting a team of highly professional and passionate
  people. 

Think this sounds like the right role for you? Get in touch!

Applications are open until 12:00 on Monday 11th March, 2024. Please send an engaging one-page
cover letter and a CV of no more than two sides to our Associate Director, Sara Mynott, on:
[email protected]. In the
email subject line, please write: “Science & Policy Projects Manager Application: [Your
Name]”. 

Due to the volume of applications we typically receive, we won’t be able to confirm receipt –
but you will be contacted by Monday 18th March if you have been shortlisted for the role. 

~ To be mindful means to be conscious or aware of something ~

Being mindful is woven through our very roots; it’s who we are and it’s how we’re wired. We’re
aware that currently, we all look the same. Every application – no matter age, gender,
background, ethnicity or identity – is welcomed at Mindfully Wired. Our communications and
ideas will be stronger with a more diverse team. We will consider all applicants who meet most
or all of the essential competencies regardless of their identity or background. 

We know that diverse candidates may be reluctant to apply for jobs where they don’t meet 100%
of the criteria outlined in the job description – we strongly encourage anyone to apply who can
demonstrate the variety of skills and experiences relevant to meeting the requirements of this
role.