Description

Location

This is a hybrid position (2-3 days/week) based out of our Washington, D.C. office.

Duration

This is a one-year fixed term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Application Instructions

Please include a cover letter in your application.

Overall Function

The Communications Director, Political Affairs is responsible for the design and execution of strategic communications campaigns that support and further the goals of EDF's priority issues, particularly at the federal level.

The Communications Director will develop communications strategies and tactics for impact and manage them to completion in the necessary timeframe, including media outreach, digital strategies, online and in-person events, and message development. This role also will work in collaboration with other environmental and conservation groups to advance shared goals, facilitate strategic development amongst coalition partners, lead assessment and evaluation of the communications work of coalition partners, and oversee management of external public relations and marketing consultants.

This position requires exceptional writing skills; strong collaboration skills, organization, and diplomacy; a keen interest in political and environmental issues; and an ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously on a wide range of issues. An ideal candidate would have experience executing public affairs campaigns.

The director reports to the Associate Vice President, Communications, Political Affairs, and works closely with the Vice President, Political and Government Affairs.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Political Affairs team, develops and coordinates national, regional, or localized communication plans, strategies, and goals with key messages on EDF's highest-priority issue areas.
• Manages the tempo of specific advocacy efforts to keep and build momentum for maximum impact.
• Creates message platforms and tailors them into talking points, speeches, op-eds, news releases, blogs, media pitches, story narratives and other materials for audiences in countries where we operate.
• Develops and executes overarching strategy of a digital program to promote messaging and content, ultimately improving the performance and reach of political and policy content online.
• Manages a two-person team.
• Collaborates with brand-level digital team on political messaging and content.
• Develops and manages paid media, including digital, television and other platforms.
• Develops partnerships with media to amplify our messages and brand.
• Maintains, cultivates and owns relationships with agenda-setting media and reporters covering our topics.
• Monitors media and identifies opportunities to insert EDF messages into the news on a systematic basis, including pitching news stories, editorials, op-eds and blogs; identify opportunities to arrange desk-side and other briefings for media.
• Manages PR/communications agency support, assessing agency expertise and managing agency teams for excellence.
• Prepares program staff with training, advice and support for communications opportunities.
• Partners with the membership team to activate EDF's online community to gain support for top priority issues.
• Partners with Community Engagement and Justice & Equity teams to ensure diversity in advocacy and storytelling.
• Works closely with the AVP, Communications, Political Affairs in cultivating a positive, diverse, and welcoming culture within a geographically dispersed team and ensuring effective staff and project coordination and leading by example.
• Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Coordinates closely on communications strategy with advocacy coalition partners and other environmental organizations.
• Manages external communications consultants and vendors as needed.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' marketing/communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context; environmental experience is a plus.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for policymaker and civil society audiences.
• The ability to lead, manage and mentor staff and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project, time management and organizational skills.
• Independent problem-solving and crisis communications skills.
• Proven ability to use sophisticated public affairs strategies to achieve policy goals.
• Solid record of producing media coverage in international, national, and diverse outlets.
• Extensive proficiency in strategic use of social and digital media.
• Ability to work occasional non-standard hours, across time zones with a geographically dispersed team.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.