Senior Communications Director, People & Nature

Overview

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?

Responsibilities

Senior Communications Director, People & Nature

Location:  Any of our U.S. EDF offices, US Remote

Our People and Nature Impact area of work deploys science, economics, policy, advocacy and communications to create bold new solutions to strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive. Together, we’re focused on delivering game-changing solutions that include climate-smart agriculture, transformative water usage, sustainable fishing practices, natural climate solutions, coastal resilience and food security. Our work is global, covering more than 12 countries and regions, but our solutions always put people at the center of everything we do – ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental justice are central to our work.

Overall Function

The Senior Communications Director, People & Nature, is responsible for spearheading the development and implementation of a global communications strategy that can achieve the goals of the initiatives and establish our experts as thought leaders. This role covers four key areas – Climate Smart Agriculture, Climate Resilient Water Systems, Climate Resilient Food Systems and Climate Resilient Fisheries and Oceans. The Senior Director oversees all functions of communications for these integrated initiatives, including earned, owned and paid media; digital content on edf.org and blogs; thought-leadership activities; policy campaign support; and message/story development. The position reports to EDF's AVP of Communications and assists the AVP in leading the P&N communications team.  The position coordinates closely with the Senior Director Communications position which oversees the other priority initiatives of the People & Nature team in a highly matrixed and integrated organization.

This position requires an understanding of and keen interest in the natural resource management and climate space and its key players and an ability to organize and manage multiple projects at once across distributed teams in the U.S., Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and creative thinker and a deft manager with a proven ability to use narrative storytelling to focus target audiences’ attention on nuanced messages and to develop and execute on communications strategies that influence decision-makers, motivate action and produce results. They distill complex policy, science and economic issues into simple, accurate and compelling narratives that advance our thought leadership.

The Senior Director works closely with a variety of experts and policy teams. The role also manages and mentors a robust team of expert communicators working across global regions, and overseas a variety of outside consultants, including individuals and agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise senior leaders on the most effective global communications strategies, messages and tactics – both in real-time and in long-range planning discussions – to ensure message coherence and discipline is maximized as an advocacy tool in achieving goals.
• Develop, implement and oversee communications strategies and tactics that advance the key initiatives’ goals through earned media outreach, social media, digital communications, paid media, collateral development and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage and mentor the communications team and continually build team skills through training, workshops, and professional development in order to bring the latest skillset and knowledge to achieve strong communications results.
• Work closely with EDF experts to stay abreast of changes in objectives, strategies and communications needs; closely coordinate with other communications colleagues across EDF to ensure alignment and cross-pollination of ideas, strategies and messaging.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with targeted journalists.
• Oversee all social media elements including strategies for experts’ social accounts and coordination with EDF’s Digital Marketing Team across brand, region and People & Nature accounts.
• Provide expert advice and counsel on how to impact policy, legislative and multilateral objectives through coordinated communications and advocacy campaigns aimed at changing policy in the U.S. and other countries.
• Direct PR/communications agency support, including developing RFPs, assessing agency expertise, and managing agency teams for excellent results, including setting objectives and tracking results.
• Plan and execute events such as press conferences, announcements, speeches and in-person meetings with media and other influential stakeholders; prepare staff for media opportunities as needed.
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values
• Ensure strong project management systems are in place and actively used by the communications teams to create efficiency and accountability.
• Develop and manage relationships with other NGOs and firms engaged in a variety of issue areas and ensure cross-pollination of ideas and strategies.
• Track emerging opportunities and best practices in the communications field in order to increase engagement opportunities.
• Create, edit and proofread written, online and video materials under intense deadline pressure.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 years’ marketing/communications experience, preferably in an issue advocacy context; environmental media experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated strategic thinker with ability to leveraging communications as a tool for driving greater impact.
• Track record of success leading communications for an advocacy campaign.
• Proven experience in the natural resource management issues, including some combination of agriculture, water, fisheries and food issues.
• Experience using social science research and message testing to inform communications and outreach strategies that can strengthen overall strategy and goals.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization with multiple internal/external stakeholders, teams and consultants spanning the globe.
• Strong team management and mentoring skills.
• Superb marketing strategy, writing, editing and communications skills.
• Experience pitching and developing strong relationships with top-tier media; familiarity with environmental media highly desired.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated success executing strategic communications campaigns that have influenced policymakers and the private sector.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Experience managing a budget and participating/leading strategic planning process

Pay Ranges

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

The pay range for this role is shown below.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Minimum Salary

USD $145,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $155,000.00/Yr.

EEO Information

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.