The Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications leads the development and implementation of an integrated marketing, communications, and engagement strategy to achieve donor engagement, facilitate conservation action, support policy outcomes, and build member / prospect interest and retention.
The Director will work closely with a senior peer group within the chapter as the marketing and communications lead on a variety of strategic initiatives that span philanthropic, conservation, policy and awareness/engagement functions.
The most successful candidate will have a proven ability to manage and inspire a multi-disciplinary marketing and communications team. S/he will be adept at leading a variety of endeavors including content creation, event management, visibility efforts, strategic communications and messaging, media relations and digital marketing efforts. The candidate must be an exceptional relationship manager with the ability to influence for outcomes. S/he will develop a strategic and long-term vision for identifying and deepening supporter engagement (particularly among high net worth donor prospects) and raising the profile of TNC’s conservation strategies in MA.
The Director is an active member of the Massachusetts’s Chapter executive leadership team and overseas a shared team of marketing employees (digital, media relations, content/outreach). The position reports to the Director of Marketing, Eastern U.S. with a very strong ‘dotted line’ to the MA Executive Director in primary service of MA Chapter priorities.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Designs and directs complex projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, and ensuring program accountabili across the state of MA.
- Manages and supervises multi-disciplinary professional staff (media relations, content development, and digital marketing).
- Creates visibility opportunities for the chapter and state director to further elevate TNC’s position as a leading voice and expert resource on conservation issues in Masssachusetts.
- Identifies and develops thought leadership relationships to enhance Chapter credibility among donor prospects, legislators and partners.
- Acts as strategic partner with the Director of Development. Helps to design, align and execute visibility and engagement programs/events in key communities. Works with development team to identify and accelerate the major donor prospect journey.
- Supervises shared marketing staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and career development. Establishes clear directions and sets stretch objectives. May also supervise volunteers, interns, contractors or short-term staff as needed.
- Develops and manages budget, evaluates results and develops corrective strategies as needed.
- Drives the strategic planning and goal-setting process to achieve marketing / communications goals.
- Provides communication leadership to all staff to build ambassadorship for the organization and implement best practices around presentation and public speaking engagements.
- Works collaboratively across all functions to discover, develop and amplify compelling stories through the executive and leadership voices.
- Utilizes storytelling to better connect with new audiences.
- Responsibility and accountability for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
- Works closely with the Southern New England MRC team, as well as Massachusetts leadership team members and Chapter trustees in developing Marcomm strategies.
- Experience cultivating and managing relationships with senior level executives, Board of Trustees, Etc.
- Experience developing communications, media and engagement strategies with measurable results.
- Experience with digital marketing in both content development and delivery.
- Experience crafting messages in crisis situations or for particularly nuanced/sensitive communications environments.
- Experience navigating large, matrix organizational structures and cultures.
- Experience directing and implementing campaigns.
- Experience in program management, including broad financial responsibility and measuring results of strategic plans.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary communications/marketing team members.
- Experience fostering an environment of creativity and professional growth.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Deep experience in strategic communications and advocacy-based marketing and communications, ideally in an acquisition marketing and/or fast-moving donor-driven environment. Experience working within cultures of philanthropy would be a real plus.
- Knowledge of conservation and environmental issues and policies is helpful, though not required.
- Experience working at the confluence of public policy and communications/media is preferred.
- Well versed in utilization of new tools and technologies to drive communications and marketing results, including but not limited to strategic communications, blogging, social media (paid and non-paid), e-newsletter development, video development, event management, public relations and media strategies.
- Strong ability to be quick on feet and well poised in senior leadership situations. Must be a strong and confident presenter. This is a “front of the house” role.
- Experience developing marketing, communications and engagement strategies and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
- Senior level experience in marketing and/or communications fields.
- Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills.
- Familiarity with communication technologies and best practices.
- Experience developing, implementing, measuring and evaluating multifaceted strategic marketing initiatives, plans and programs.
- Experience and/or understanding of communication best practices at a decentralized organization.
- Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, manage performance and help with conflict resolution on a large, multi-disciplinary team.
- Proven success in building and maintaining long-term relationships with partners, vendors, board members and senior leaders both internal and external.
- Successful track record with either client / agency relationships or servicing multiple internal ‘clients.’
- Proven ability in managing the fiduciary aspects of planning and delivery of annual budgets.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.