Head of Communications / Communications Lead

Application deadline: May 22nd, 2026
To apply: fill out this form

We are hiring at either Head of Communications or Communications Lead level. We will set the title and scope based on what you bring.

Head of Communications owns the function. You set the strategy with the CEO, decide which channels to invest in, build the messaging infrastructure, run crisis comms, and are accountable for whether it works.

Communications Lead runs the work. You execute the strategy, drive campaigns end-to-end, coordinate contractors, and shape the direction, but the CEO holds strategic ownership of the function.

Both roles report to the CEO and would work directly with the head of advocacy. Neither manages employees in the near term.

About CeSIA

CeSIA is an independent think tank and center of expertise dedicated to preventing major AI risks by equipping institutions with the insights and coalitions to govern AI. We engage the highest levels of AI governance, advising decision-makers across France, the EU, and multilateral institutions.

The role

You will run CeSIA’s communications. At Head level, you own the function and build it. At Lead level, you run the work day-to-day and the CEO holds the strategy. Either way, this is hands-on: you will run the most important campaigns yourself and bring in contractors for the rest. You will not manage employees in the near term.

Your job is to take it from foundations to a function that compounds: every policy output, every research report, every institutional engagement reaches the right people in the right way.

What you will own

Communications strategy. At Head level, you set objectives across channels, measure performance, agree targets with the CEO and Head of Advocacy, decide which channels to prioritize and which to invest in next. At Lead level, you contribute to these calls and execute them.

Messaging infrastructure. Positioning, core messages, collateral, brand governance, and the systems that keep our public-facing presence consistent as the team grows.

Press and policy communications. Build and maintain a working press network across French and European media covering AI, tech policy, and EU regulation. Translate our research and policy positions into coverage that reaches the audiences who can act on them.

Crisis communications. Put the processes in place so that when a high-salience moment hits, we are ready to respond.

Employer branding and recruitment campaigns. Help CeSIA attract talent as we grow.

Contractor management. Manage freelancers and agencies for design, paid media, and marketing operations. You decide what we do in-house and what we outsource.

What we are looking for

Hard requirements

Experience in public affairs. You understand how policy audiences read, decide, and act, and you have communicated to them before.
A track record of delivering communications work that landed. For the Head role, you have also built a function before and want to do it again. For the Lead role, you have run major work end-to-end.
Fluent in French and English.
Based in Europe (UK included), able to work full-time.

Nice to have

Experience in AI or AI governance. If you have not worked on AI before but have public affairs depth, we want to hear from you.
Experience working with or inside a think tank, advocacy organization, or research institution.
A network among journalists covering AI, tech regulation, or EU policy.
Experience of crisis communications under pressure.

What we care about beyond credentials

You start from the audience, not from what we want to say.
You are comfortable being measured. You will agree targets with the CEO and be accountable to them.
You have judgment about when to push for visibility and when to protect insider access. These are sometimes in tension, and the right call is not formulaic.
You can write.

Practicalities

Location: Fully remote within Europe (UK included). Our Paris office is available if you want to work on-site.
Contract: Full-time
Compensation: €50,000–€65,000 gross annual depending on title and experience, with adjustment possible based on location.
Start date: As soon as possible.

To apply: fill out this form

The process typically includes a short screening interview, a paid work task (2–4 hours), an in-depth interview, and potentially a paid 2–5 day work trial.

Reach out to Florent Berthet (florent@cesia.org) if you have any questions.