Senior Communications Specialist, Fisheries & Oceans

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

Locations: Remote or any EDF office location (US)

Program Overview

EDF’s Climate Resilient Fisheries & Oceans team is working to safeguard the oceans and protect nature while feeding the planet, creating more secure livelihoods, and bolstering more equitable societies for human well-being. One of the greatest threats to the oceans is overfishing, which is why our dedicated team of scientists, economists, and fishery management experts are collaborating with partners around the globe to make sustainable fishing the norm. Through our work in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia Pacific, we draw on strong science and economic principles to advance sustainable fishing practices, forward-looking policies and innovative tools that support the health of our oceans and the people who depend on them.

Overall Function

The Senior Communications Specialist will report to the Senior Manager, Communications, Fisheries and Oceans and work directly with experts on EDF’s Climate-Resilient Fisheries and Oceans and Communications teams. They will support the implementation of strategic communications campaigns, earned media outreach initiatives, content creation and marketing campaigns that persuasively connect with our target audiences both domestically and in the countries where we operate. The Senior Communications Specialist will play the role of a generalist, utilizing skill sets in technical and journalistic writing, media relations and social media content creation to advance strategic communications plans. They will assist with project management, graphic design and persuasive writing in support of advancing the work of EDF’s Climate Resilient Fisheries and Oceans initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementing strategic communications campaigns that support EDF’s Climate Resilient Fisheries and Oceans team priorities

• Drafting blog posts, op-eds and media statements to build thought leadership for EDF experts, often under tight deadlines

• Drafting talking points and using these as a foundation for both internal and external communications materials

• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with targeted journalists, editorial writers and columnists, and keeping media lists up to date

• Pitching, securing and tracking earned media clips in trade, digital and broadcast media.

• Preparing EDF experts for virtual and in-person speaking events

• Creating social media toolkits to amplify EDF initiatives

• Strategically manage and promote content across digital and social platforms, including Twitter, LinkedIn and more

• Being proactive and creating other media moments for EDF on news hooks when they arise

• Cultivating and maintaining reporter relationships, particularly with reporters who cover fisheries and ocean issues, both in the US and around the world

• Identifying and pursuing opportunities for EDF to secure earned media coverage and to tell our story through owned content

• Keeping EDF and coalition webpages up to date and ensuring that they are effectively serving our key audiences

• Supporting project management on a variety of communications campaigns including liaising with EDF’s Marketing and Communications Team, relevant colleagues across EDF and external vendors, in a fast-paced environment

• Using quantitative and qualitative data to monitor progress toward campaign goals, reporting on metrics and identify opportunities to refine our strategies

• Maintaining electronic files, including media lists in Cision, press clips, brochures, images, fact sheets, etc.

• Participating in advancing EDF diversity, equity and inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences are connected, included and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges.

• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or marketing; Master’s degree is a plus
• A minimum of four years communications experience, working in advocacy, public relations, content development, journalism or other communications or marketing-related field, with a demonstrated record of success; practical, real-world experience in environmental media and communications preferred
• Strong attention to detail, collaborative workstyle and proactive attitude
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Proficiency in English language
• Excellent writing, copy editing and AP Style proofreading skills
• Track record of creative, opportunistic and successful media outreach
• Experience identifying key audiences and the most effective ways to reach them
• Ability to adapt to frequent change and prioritize multiple tasks effectively
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint and Outlook) and Internet
• Highly skilled at time management and managing expectations to be successful across time zones
• Occasional travel is expected for team retreats, but remote participation can be discussed.

Preferred:

• Familiarity with small-scale fisheries, climate change impacts, US fisheries policy and aquaculture, and other ocean issue areas
• Familiarity with SharePoint, Cision, Google Analytics, Twitter Ads and Analytics, WordPress and/or Drupal.
• Experience working on local and/or statewide press outreach
• Basic graphic and web design and video editing experience
• Experience managing contractors (e.g., graphic designers or video producers) and project timelines
• Experience staffing speakers at events and/or running webinars
• Practical, real-world experience in media, politics and/or fisheries and ocean issues
• Global communications experience

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 $63,000.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $71,000.00/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.