Ready to make a real impact? Rethinking Economics International (REI) is searching for a Communications Lead to join their team, and this could be your chance to shape the future of economic thought! This role is perfect for a communications professional who is passionate about social change and alternative economic thinking. But here's where it gets exciting: REI is a global movement, and you could be at the heart of it. The deadline for applications is January 25, 2026.
About Rethinking Economics International: Founded in 2012 as a student movement, REI has grown into a global network of students, academics, and professionals. Their mission? To transform how economics is taught, practiced, and understood, making it better for people and the planet. They operate as a distributed, remote-first team with affiliated offices in various locations, including Manchester, Johannesburg, Berlin, and Copenhagen, and have an active international membership.
The Opportunity: In 2026, REI is launching an individual membership model, undergoing major governance reforms, and unveiling a new brand identity alongside a redesigned website. The Communications Lead will be a key player in guiding these transitions, maintaining existing communications while developing new systems. This role is the public-facing voice of REI, overseeing messaging across digital platforms, newsletters, media engagement, and email journeys. The position is a combination of content creation, strategic oversight, and cross-team collaboration.
What You'll Do: The primary purpose of this role is to lead and coordinate all external communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, creativity, and alignment with organizational values and strategy. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Communications Delivery and Channel Management: Managing content across social media platforms (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube), producing the monthly newsletter, writing and reviewing website content, and overseeing email journeys.
- Strategy, Systems, and Brand Development: Supporting the development and delivery of REI’s communications strategy, leading communications inputs into the new brand identity rollout, supporting website redevelopment, and designing and maintaining efficient communications systems.
- Content Creation and Collaboration: Liaising with and recruiting students, writers, designers, and video editors, ensuring complex economic ideas are communicated in accessible ways, and identifying timely communications opportunities.
- Media and External Relations: Owning and managing relationships with press and media outlets, drafting press releases, and supporting media engagement.
What You'll Bring: REI is looking for someone with a diverse skill set, recognizing that no one candidate will meet every criterion. Essential experience and competencies include:
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Demonstrated experience managing social media platforms.
- Strong copywriting skills.
- Experience producing and distributing newsletters.
- Experience with WordPress or similar content management systems.
- Ability to analyze and report on communications performance.
- A strong understanding of social media strategy.
- A passion for reforming economics education and practice.
Desirable Experience: While not required, experience in the following areas would be a plus:
- Knowledge of alternative or pluralist economics.
- Graphic design skills (Canva).
- Experience cultivating media relationships and online communities.
- Project management experience.
- Experience delivering communications for campaigns or movement-based organizations.
- Experience working with freelancers or volunteer organizers.
Organizational Competencies: The successful candidate will uphold REI’s values of curiosity, care, and courage, manage competing priorities independently, use digital collaboration tools effectively, and project manage communications activities.
Terms and Conditions:
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, with the intention to offer permanency after one year.
- Working Hours: Four days per week, seven hours per day (with one unpaid lunch hour).
- Salary: £31,700–£33,930 pro rata (four days: £25,360–£27,144), non-negotiable.
- Salary Increase: Organization-wide 5% increase effective April 2026.
- Reporting to: Associate Director.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pro rata.
- Additional winter closure from December 25 to January 1.
- Generous parental leave entitlements.
- Employer pension contribution matched at 5%.
- Annual working-from-home allowance and equipment support.
- Shared training and professional development budget.
- Flexible working arrangements.
Location and Eligibility: The role is fully remote. Applicants must be based within UTC ±4 hours and reside in one of the specified eligible countries. Applicants outside REI’s office locations must demonstrate the ability to work independently in a remote environment.
Application Process: To apply, complete the online application form by 23:59 UTC on January 25, 2026, and submit a portfolio or relevant work samples. The recruitment process includes a short phone call in the week of February 2 and a Zoom interview in the week of February 9 or 16.
Important Note: Rethinking Economics International is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Ready to take the next step? Visit the official website to apply.
Disclaimer: Please note that Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Due to the high volume of emails, GSO may not be able to respond to all inquiries.
Intrigued? What do you think about the future of economics? Do you agree with REI's mission? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's get the conversation started!
