Pay range: $100,000 – $107,000 USD/Yr.
Type: Regular Full Time
Locations: Remote – US, New Orleans
Posted: June 1, 2023
Title: Senior Communications Manager, Coasts & Watersheds
Location: This position can be located in any of our offices in the central of eastern US or remotely. Preference for candidates in New Orleans, Raleigh, New York City, D.C., Florida, Virginia, of the upper Mississippi states.
Program Overview
EDF’s People and Nature team deploys science, economics, policy, advocacy, and communications to create bold new solutions to strengthen the ability of people and nature to thrive. Together, we’re focused on delivering game-changing solutions that include climate-smart agriculture, transformative water usage, sustainable fishing practices, coastal resilience, natural climate solutions and food security. Our work is global, covering more than 12 countries and regions, but our solutions always put people at the center of everything we do – ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice are central to our work.
Our Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds team is a part of the People and Nature team and works in a bold and collaborative manner to ensure resilient ecosystems and communities along coasts and rivers thrive with water and are safe, equitable and prosperous places to live, work and play. This multi-faceted program deals with the many complex challenges associated with restoring natural systems to create sustainable communities in the U.S. and globally.
Overall Function
The Senior Communications Manager, Coasts & Watersheds is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of communications strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of the initiative’s governmental advocacy and community engagement work, including earned, social and paid media; digital media including edf.org and blogs; thought leadership activities; and content development. They will serve as strategic and innovative thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and execute on communications strategies for significant, measurable impact. Additionally, this position distills complex policy and economic issues into simple, accurate and compelling narratives that advance policy and market change.
The Senior Communications Manager will focus on supporting teams working along the Mississippi River, including the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition in Louisiana. The Senior Communications Manager will also supervise communication specialist(s). This position reports to the AVP Communications, People and Nature and works closely with the AVP, Climate Resilient Coasts & Watersheds.
Key Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the AVP Communications, People and Nature and the AVP, Climate Resilient Coasts & Watersheds, develop, implement, and oversee communications strategies, messages, talking points and tactics that advance the program’s flood resilience goals, including media outreach, social media, digital communications, and collateral development.
- Guide strategic planning of priority communications campaigns for the team’s work and monitor to ensure they stay on track/deliver results, providing updates and adjustments where relevant.
- Manage, guide, support, and develop a team and continually build team skills to help achieve strong communications results through various channels (earned media, digital, blog, speaking engagements, etc.).
- Actively collaborate with partners on the Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign through participation in communications committee and collaboration on joint deliverables.
- Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
- Oversee management of owned channels including blogs, newsletters, and other accounts.
- Create, edit, and proofread written, digital, and video materials that advance Coasts and Watersheds and EDF’s goals.
- Plan and execute events such as press conferences, panel discussions, and in-person meetings with journalists, thought leaders, and other influential stakeholders.
- Assist Senior Communications Director, People and Nature, with internal program communications as needed.
- Establish and maintain strong strategic relationships with identified and relevant journalists and media outlets.
- Prepare program staff by providing training and advice related to communications opportunities, in alignment with established best practices and strategies.
- Prepare summaries and analyses of media coverage on a quarterly basis.
- Direct public relations or communications agency support, including developing RFPs, assessing agency expertise, and managing agency teams.
- Other relevant responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of marketing/communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context, and a Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for up to two years of experience.
- Experience building a public platform for leaders within an organization.
- Experience hiring and managing communications consultants or agency support.
- Experience pitching and developing strong relationships with top tier media and a track record of producing international and national media coverage.
- Experience managing a blog, including blog promotion strategy and implementation or online community-building.
- Experience providing creative communications support and strategy to multiple internal project teams simultaneously.
- Familiarity or experience with environmental media is preferred.
- Understanding of flood resilience issues at a national and, preferably, a global level.
- Proven ability to use communications as a tool to achieve policy goals.
- Strong ability to strategize and implement communications projects across multiple platforms for maximum impact in the environmental and policy space.
- Attentive to detail with strong problem solving, analytical, and budgeting skills.
- Strong team management and mentoring skills.
- Superb communications strategy, verbal, writing, editing, and presentation skills.
- Proactive with a strong ability to anticipate logistical needs, quickly resolve issues or conflicts, work well under tight deadlines, and think ahead to meet the needs of staff for successful results.
- Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team across multiple time zones.
- Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% of the time, as well as commit to some evening and weekend work.
Location:
This position can be located in any of our offices in the central of eastern US or remotely. Preference for candidates in New Orleans, Raleigh, New York City, D.C., Florida, Virginia, of the upper Mississippi states.
We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.
Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.
Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.
We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.
Our culture, values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?
