Senior Leadership: As a member of the Senior Leadership, the director reports to Pat Graham who joined the Chapter in 2001 following a distinctive leadership career in one of the nation’s preeminent wildlife management operations, Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. He leads the Conservancy's seven state Colorado River Leadership Team. Other members of the team include the Deputy State director of Conservation, Directors of Special Projects, Operations, Development, and Government Relations:
Strategic Communications: To have a positive impact at scale that makes a difference requires strong communications and marketing programs. Strategic communications and marketing are viewed as a strategic component to achieve the nature conservation goals. As a result, the director has an enormous opportunity to impact the Chapter's strategic initiatives and key conservation outcomes by connecting the complex work of the Conservancy with new constituents in a way that is personally relevant to each.
This position also supports a strong fund-raising program which is just completing a four-year, $50 million Power of Nature Campaign, the largest campaign for nature in Arizona’s history.
To do this, the director will help build support and capacity by creating and implementing targeted communications designed to deliver on strategies already defined by the Chapter, media outreach (including social media), as well as member and major donor communication and engagement. In addition, this position oversees the events program coordinating a series of engagements for supporters, partners and the board of trustees.
The director will supervise an event manager, a communication and marketing professional, and a shared media outreach position. With an annual budget of $500K+, you would oversee contracts with outside vendors and experts, and collaborate with a network of communications and marketing professionals across North America.
- The Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing is accountable for creating a path for the organization that will inform and influence greater private and public support, funding and action to advance conservation and policy outcomes.
- Designs, directs and manages multiple complex and diverse programs or projects; coordinates the work of other professionals; manages budget; and ensures program accountability.
- Broad management responsibility for administrative and professional staff that are responsible for key initiatives or programs.
- Accountable for meeting strategic goals and objectives.
- Financial responsibility includes developing and managing project and team budget objectives, evaluating results and developing corrective strategies as needed. Provides input to departmental budget process.
- Opportunity to act independently within broad program goals. Work checked through consultation and agreement with stakeholders rather by directives of superiors.
- Decisions can commit the organization’s resources in a way that affects public image and have program-wide impact.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Contribute as a member of the Building Support and Capacity Team, Senior Leadership and co-lead for the board of trustee Building Support and Capacity Committee by collaborating with colleagues, the board and staff to ensure achievement of the Chapter’s strategic initiatives.
- Lead the development, implementation and management of the annual strategic communications and marketing business plans including budget and messsaging components.
- Develop and manage targeted communication plans, messages and components; provide direction as well as the tools, support and action necessary to grow the base of major donors and people of influence, and support priority conservation and policy initiatives.
- Develop, implement and manage communication (including social media) in support of priority conservation initiatives and fundraising efforts.
- Gain operational synergy by leveraging knowledge and expertise in supervising two professionals and managing vendors, contractors and agencies as needed.
- Share best practices with other National and western communications and marketing directors in order to innovate and create compelling information.
- Provide ongoing oversight and project management of programs, budgets and timelines to support achievenemt of overall communication and marketing objectives.
- Interface with the state director, board and leadership to provide direction and continuity in the positioning of the Chapter publicly.
- Support communications and presentation opportunities for the state director and serve as key media contact.
- Cultivate and maintain positive, productive relationships with board members, volunteers, committees, community and business leaders, donors, stakeholders, staff, vendors, and agencies.
- Maintain expert knowledge of trends as they relate to primary and secondary audiences, stakeholders and constituents to aid in the recalibration of strategies and plans.
- Overall responsibility for engaging news media.
- Supervise Arizona's marketing team which includes an Events Manager, Marketing Specialist, and shared media employee.
- A minimum of 9 years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience managing staff and teams.
- Experience developing communications, media and engagement strategies and measuring results.
- Experience developing marketing plans and measuring results.
- Experience cultivating and managing client relationships.
- Experience developing and leading complex projects or programs including financial responsibility and measuring results of strategic plans and programs.
- Experience with related computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite preferred, a CRM database and internet research.
- Valid driver’s license
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A Mater's degree or progressively relevant experience (10-15 years) preferred (or equivalency in experience and/or education); technical know-how is all aspects of communication and marketing; and a proven rack record in creating and building diverse audience engagement, support and loyalty.
- Broad business perspective that may include a combination of nonprofit and for-profit experience; ability to model collaboration, common vision and accountability to advance business outcomes; experience working successfully as part of a leadership team.
- Knowledge and understanding of contemporary marketing and strategic communication channels and practices in all functional areas including media relations, print and social media, advertising, design, production, writing, events, etc.; experience attracting new market segments and creating cultivation strategies.
- Successful project leadership skills in designing, developing, managing, and implementing multiple projects and budgets at the strategic level to achieve stated goals.
- Experience in leading and supervising direct or indirect staff, virtual teams and services networks.
- Ability to set objectives and foster an environment of collaboration and innovation.
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; strong relationship cultivation capability, and ability to address varied audiences on topics in common representing the Chapter; key media contact and spokesperson experience preferred.
- Skills in and ability to brainstorm, innovate, collaborate, influence, prioritize, and execute; style that is resilient, objective, comfortable in ambiguity, and complementary with the leadership team; ability to earn the respect of others and values that align with the Conservancy.
- Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
- Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
- Able and willing to travel.
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.