The Associate Director of U.S. Policy Communications is a part of the North America Marketing team, and will primarily support the U.S. Government Relations (USGR) team. He/she will develop and implement national communications campaigns in support of the region’s most pressing advocacy goals. Initially, campaigns are needed to defend federal appropriations for conservation, renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund, support the Conservancy’s Farm Bill platform and more. A suite of marketing and communications techniques will be employed in these policy campaigns, including recruitment of external spokespeople and opinion leaders, engaging Conservancy members and outreach to the media and public on priority issues. Policy communications guidance may also be needed for other North America priorities.
The Associate Director of Communications I implements and manages efficient and effective communications, media and engagement plans to help drive organizational strategy. S/he facilitates on-going communication between all parts of the globally dispersed marketing division and internal and external stakeholders, and identifies communication and media needs and opportunities. S/he develops and fosters relations with key stakeholders and media contacts. The Associate Director manages communication strategies and program implementation, which may include high profile or key audiences like Board of Directors, state and country board of trustees. S/he supervises staff and manages the budget, key operational plans and dissemination of media information. S/he provides consultation, media training, coaching and talking points to persons serving as spokesperson(s).
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Leads communication and media initiatives through collaboration with key stakeholders.
- Designs, manages and implements multiple projects by coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside the organization.
- Assists with creation/administration of budget, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed.
- Responsibility and accountability for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
- Opportunity to act independently within specific program or project goals. Work checked through agreement by superiors.
- Use public opinion research and related organizational plans to develop a strategic communications plan in support of policy campaigns, including key messages, target audiences, objectives, strategies and tactics.
- Advise USGR team on messaging for advocacy materials (i.e., fact sheets, reports, case studies, op-eds)
- Prepare each communication campaign’s press kit including press releases, social media posts, fact sheets, backgrounders, graphics and photo/B-roll collection (if available).
- Help USGR and state chapters recruit and train spokespeople for media interviews and public testimony.
- Work with the Conservancy’s Worldwide Office (WO) and North America-based marketing staff to develop a comprehensive media outreach plan for the campaigns with clear division of responsibility for cultivation
- Coordinate relevant internal communications on U.S. policy issues (i.e., overview email, WebEx presentation, Intranet feature, etc.).
- Coordinate communications campaign launches with USGR and marketing channel contacts at WO and in the field
- Stay in touch with marketing channel contacts, ensuring that expectations are understood and project is on course and by providing periodic updates to marketing channel contacts on campaign progress.
- Serve as Conservancy representative on partner/coalition media teams.
- Develop additional press kit materials as needed for short- and long-term policy goals
- Provide WO and field media relations staff with necessary information and materials for ongoing media pitches with goal of increasing the quality and quantity of media coverage in support of priority policy issues.
- Plan special events to educate the public and decision makers.
- Coordinate media tracking with WO and North America marketing communications staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in project management, developing communications, media and engagement strategies and measuring results.
- Experience cultivating and managing client relationships.
- Experience supervising staff and team.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Significant experience with federal policy issues in a communications role, preferably within Congress, a federal agency, or public affairs firm.
- Excellent writing, presentation, communication, mediation and negotiation skills.
- Graphic design and/or video production experience.
- Ability to influence and engage colleagues across a wide range of departments.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
- Experience developing, implementing and measuring communication and engagement plans/strategies.
- Ability to persuasively convey the mission of The Nature Conservancy to diverse groups including donors, board members, and the public.
- Demonstrated ability in managing the fiduciary aspects of planning and delivery of budgets.
- Familiarity with communication technologies and best practices.
- Experience and/or understanding of communication best practices at a decentralized organization a plus.
- Expert knowledge of current and evolving trends in relevant marketing disciplines. Cross disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
- Management experience that includes ability to lead, motivate, set objectives and manage performance and conflict resolution.
- Fosters an environment of creativity and professional growth.