Global Head of Media (German speaking, London based)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent 

Location: UK - with a requirement to work from London once a week. Regular overseas travel to hostile environments.  

Salary: £72,066 - £76,336 (dependent on experience) 

If you are a native or fluent German speaker with proven success in journalism or PR in UK and European markets, then this fast-paced role in our global press office is for you!

About HALO: 

The HALO Trust is the world’s leading NGO clearing the debris of war. We clear landmines, bombs, grenades and bullets from the world’s most dangerous conflicts, providing the first step towards recovery and mitigating resurgent conflict.  We employ around 11,000 local women and men in 30 countries, from Angola and Afghanistan to Yemen and Ukraine. 

About the role: 

We are seeking a seasoned media professional to lead our global press office, with a particular focus on German and EU markets. Fluent German with demonstrable success in the German market is therefore essential

It’s a fast-paced and exciting time to join us. Reporting to the Global Head of Strategic Communications and working with colleagues across the organisation, you will co-create and implement a global media strategy that puts HALO at the centre of conflict reporting. With our people regularly at the heart of breaking news stories, you will secure top tier coverage on both sides of the Atlantic, rapidly mobilising spokespeople for eye witness reports as well as leading on longer term projects such as documentaries and long reads.  

Responsibilities:

• Lead HALO’s media strategy to secure coverage in the traditional press and digital news channels and podcasts across EU, UK and US markets, with input from policy, advocacy and programme colleagues  

• Nurture strong links to journalists and commentators in the press and broadcast media  

• Expand our media outreach via digital channels 

• Deliver timely eye-witness accounts from the epicentre of breaking news stories. 

• Develop a strategic plan to maximise our CEO and senior leadership’s influence on tackling conflict, both in the EU and UK. 

• Write first class opeds; oversee production and dissemination of press releases  

• Play a key role in turning complex and careful policy language into media-friendly posts 

• Be relentless in your defence of HALOs reputation, managing crises and unforeseen events with a cool and calm head. 

• Embrace a fully flexible working pattern that recognises the 24/7 nature of news 

• Line manage the Global Media Manager, with regular support to regional press officers and the Social Media team 

All HALO staff are expected to undertake the following general duties: 

• Work within the framework of HALO’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement. 
• Work towards achieving programme and/or group business plan objectives. 
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all HALO policies and procedures and keep informed of HALO activities. 
• To discharge duties and responsibilities under HALO’s Health and Safety Procedures which may include Risk and COSHH Assessments and participation in evacuation procedures as necessary.  

Who we're looking for: 

• Fluent or native speaker in German (preferred) or French, with flawless written English 

• Proven success in driving media coverage as part of a busy Press Office team 

• A natural news hound and news-jacker 

• An innate understanding of the complex and sensitive geopolitical environments in which HALO operates. 

• Good ‘nose’ for a news story 

• A team player with excellent people skills 

• Calm under pressure and a sense of humour. 

Benefits 

• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays 

• Non-contributory life assurance (3 x salary) 

• Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5% 

• Private medical health cover 

• Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas 

• Occupational Health services including physiotherapy support and counselling support 

• Flexible working policy 

How to apply: 

Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by  30th September 2025.  We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received. 

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. 

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.