Do you lead impact with communication as your tool? Do you work at the intersection of strategy and execution? If yes, this role might be for you.

We are looking for an experienced, senior communications professional to join us in building the next era, fighting for societies that are fair, sustainable and joyful.

As Communication Lead, you are responsible for designing and enabling how communication drives Demos Helsinki’s impact. You combine strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate direction into operational action: shaping priorities, building structures, and ensuring that Demos Helsinki shows up where it matters, in ways that align with our ethos.

This is a role for someone who can turn complexity into clarity and ambition into concrete action.

Our work at Demos Helsinki already influences public debate, policy processes and decision-making across Finland, Europe and globally. In our international positioning, we need someone to architect how the world comes to know and trust us. Over 20 years, we have built strong expertise, partnerships and a portfolio of 100+ research and consultative projects. The work is real, and the potential for impact is significant.

What we have not yet fully done is use communication systematically to amplify that impact globally. Our global presence has grown organically alongside projects. Externally, we have strong content and credibility; but, internally, we want to codify this presence into shared structures, prioritisation and ways of working that would allow us to consistently reach key audiences, shape conversations and influence decisions.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role exists to change how communication drives Demos Helsinki’s impact across projects, public discourse and policy engagement, combining research, storytelling, media, policy interaction and new (including AI-enabled) approaches.

Key responsibilities

Strategic alignment & impact strengthening

• Define and develop how communication contributes to Demos Helsinki’s impact model together with others, and how it should be designed into our work

• Build structures and approaches to engage relevant decision-makers (e.g., policymakers, public sector leaders, international stakeholders)

Operational leadership of communications

• Create efficient processes for the communications of an organisation with 80+ people and 80+ projects per year

• You collaborate closely with team leads, the Managing Director, Research Lead, and project teams, helping define where communication efforts make the greatest difference, from media visibility to influencing key decision-makers. You also explore and introduce new ways of working, including AI-native approaches.

• Oversee the organisation’s key communications channels, establishing their purpose, objectives, and resources

• Develop and introduce tools and practices, including AI-first approaches, to improve effectiveness

• Strengthen capabilities across the organisation: At Demos Helsinki, everyone communicates

What we expect from you

We are looking for someone who can make communication work as a driver of impact, not just as an output. Your background can come from communications, as long as you can demonstrate how you would succeed in this role.

You might bring:

• Experience in elevating an organisation’s presence in a specific target group.

• Some comfort in prioritising and making fast decisions in a highly dynamic and evolving project environment, while remaining true to our ethos

• Strong execution skills, turning ideas into processes, priorities and results

• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and multiple teams

• Interest in exploring new tools and approaches, including AI-native ways of working

We especially value:

• Candidates who are highly appreciative of the process of building alignment through deliberation and clear argumentation

• Someone who embodies the complex traits of strong analytical and critical thinking, seeing and offering empowering directions forward, and being empathetic towards our partners and their challenges

• People leadership or facilitation experience (formal or informal)

• Prioritising trust and kindness over efficiency

• Experience in media relations, PR or policy communication

Language requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English

• For the right candidate, Finnish or French would be considered an asset

ABOUT DEMOS HELSINKI

Demos Helsinki is a globally operating, non-profit and independent think tank. We are a community of motivated experts dedicated to instigating and sustaining essential transitions to a fair, sustainable and joyful future. We believe that change can only happen together. That is why we carry out consultative and research projects together with hundreds of partners, including private international foundations, UN organisations, the European Commission, and companies. Over the past 20 years, we have grown into an organisation of over 70 people, working on more than 100 projects per year, with forecasted revenue of over 5 M€.

Practicalities

Working hours: 37.5 h/week with flexibility
Location & remote work: Hybrid work with regular presence in Helsinki
Travel: Occasional international travel possible
Salary: According to the Demos Helsinki responsibility category model

How to apply

Please submit your application, including CV and answers to application questions.

Deadline: 23 May 2026
Process: Interviews in June
Contact person: Johannes Mikkonen