Executive Speechwriter (21923)

Join Principal Directorate (PD) Communication at the EPO

PD Communication is at the forefront of corporate communication for the EPO, driving strategic events that shape and protect our corporate culture, reputation and brand. Our work is instrumental in achieving the EPO’s strategic goals, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders through multiple channels.

Led by a Principal Director, PD Communication consists of two directorates: Content Creation and Channel Management. We are currently seeking a talented speechwriter to join our Executive Communication team in Directorate Content Creation.

With us you will:

• prepare and write speeches, talking points, briefings and other communications primarily for the EPO’s President, as well as for other senior management
• ensure regular alignment with the President’s Office and other business units to prepare detailed speech planning schedules, assess resources and ensure the timely delivery of speeches
• meet with the President for executive briefings on expectations for each speech
• structure and shape messages based on leadership discussions and integrate those messages into executive communications
• conduct research and exchanges with business units to identify key facts and trends and use this information to tailor each speech’s content
• assist speakers with speech delivery preparation and ensure alignment with the audiovisual team for recordings
• co-ordinate requests for speeches and related work, assign work within the executive communication team, review draft speeches prepared by others, provide feedback and coaching, track and manage deadlines and workload within the team and act as the main interface with senior management and the business areas requesting services
• co-ordinate the validation process with senior management
• support the Directorate Content Creation to continuously improve timeliness in the delivery of communication services
• continuously improve processes to gather high-quality and timely input from stakeholders across the EPO

Apply if you have:

• a proven track record as an executive speechwriter at an international level
• the ability to recognise and identify top-level messages and to refine and integrate them into executive communications
• the ability to diplomatically bring together different points of view in communication products
• an eye for detail
• the ability to understand differences in nuance and tone of language
• expertise in the different writing styles required for a range of communication products
• the ability to learn quickly, an interest in intellectual property and the patent system and the desire to develop authoritative communications
• strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in parallel
• a native-speaker level of English

Our minimum requirements for this post

• Diploma of completed studies at master's level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience
• Generally, an excellent knowledge (at least C1) of one official language (English, French and German) and ability to understand the other two; alternatively, excellent knowledge (at least C1) of at least one official language (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing language(s) and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required)
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation.

Process

Candidates are kindly asked to upload an updated CV and outline their motivation in the designated application field (character limit 4000). If so wished, the motivation letter can also be uploaded as a Word or pdf attachment under "Application document" in SuccessFactors. In this case, please indicate in the designated field "Please refer to attached motivation letter".

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, competencies, professional experience and language knowledge, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

A reserve list may be constituted, should more candidates than required at this time be considered suitable following the selection procedure. Such reserve lists are valid for 18 months and reserve list candidates may be contacted, should a vacancy with substantially the same profile arise during that period.

More information on how we recruit can be found on our EPO jobs and careers site.

Key information

Job group: 4
Grade: G7 to G10 (net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 5 901 to 9 620, depending on experience and location)
Duration of appointment: Five years with possibility of extension
Career path: Technical
Location: Office-wide
Application deadline: 6 August 2024
Interviews planned for: Week commencing 9 September 2024

* after deduction of EPO-internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social security and pension schemes.

We welcome all applications for vacant positions. We consider each on its professional merits – regardless of your nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.