Senior Communications Manager, Biodiversity & Arctic

POSITION TITLE: Senior Communications Manager, Biodiversity & Arctic

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Strategic Communications

REPORTS TO: Director of Communications

STATUS: Regular Full time / Exempt  

LOCATION: Candidates in AK, CA, DC, FL, MD, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV considered. Must be available during Alaska work hours.

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. We are a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. With more than 150 staff across several coastal U.S. offices, our program areas include Arctic conservation, sustainable fisheries, clean shipping, and protections for marine biodiversity. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities who depend on it. In Alaska and the circumpolar Arctic, our work centers partnerships with Tribes, communities, government entities, and other organizations.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Communications Manager, Biodiversity & Arctic will oversee strategic communications efforts for Ocean Conservancy’s Biodiversity portfolio, with an emphasis on our Arctic Program, which includes all of Alaska. The Senior Communications Manager will report to the Director of Communications as a member of the communications department and will support their department colleagues with other institutional PR and strategic communications efforts as necessary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as communications lead for Ocean Conservancy’s Arctic program (approximately 80% of time), which includes developing and implementing innovative communications strategies to advance Ocean Conservancy’s work in the Arctic and Alaska.
• Support Ocean Conservancy’s communications work on general biodiversity work (approximately 20% of time), which includes developing and implementing innovative communications strategies to advance Ocean Conservancy’s biodiversity outcomes.
• Support development and clarification of public positions on salient Alaska, Arctic, and biodiversity issues.
• Work closely with Ocean Conservancy’s digital team to maximize the communications impact of the Arctic work.
• Collaborate with the rest of the Ocean Conservancy communications team and development staff to ensure that Arctic and Alaska perspectives are accurately represented, while maintaining trust with local communities and leaders.
• Build Ocean Conservancy’s brand in the state of Alaska, developing Alaska-specific messages and building relationships and outreach opportunities.
• Seek out, execute and report on media opportunities to highlight Ocean Conservancy’s advocacy goals, including by producing talking points, press releases, statements, and other content.
• Leverage rapid response when ocean is in the news to make Ocean Conservancy an increasingly trusted voice on ocean biodiversity.
• Draft and/or edit blogs, reports, remarks, and other program content as needed to ensure consistency in messaging.
• Represent Ocean Conservancy as needed at events, nationally and internationally.
• Support media readiness of program staff through external and internal trainings.
• Support institution-wide communications efforts as assigned.
• Manage outside designers, writers, and other consultants as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, and a minimum of 6-7 years of experience working in media and/or communications.
• Proven track record of media placements (quotes, op-eds, etc.) across media types (broadcast, print, etc).
• Proven track record of developing effective cross-platform communications campaigns with advocacy impact.
• Creative and/or enterprising approach to communications, including demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with partners.
• Ability to grasp data- or science-heavy and/or technical material and distill it into simple, effective messaging.
• Ability to see things from multiple perspectives/world views.
• Strong sense of Indigenous knowledge preferred.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated project management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Familiarity with communications-specific software including Cision or Muck Rack, Critical Mention or TV Eyes, and digital asset management systems like Media Valet.
• Graphic design