Job Listing: Communications Director

Overall Description

The Communications Director will work with the WEC staff and board of directors to develop and implement an overall communications strategy for WEC. The Communications Director is responsible for all communications activities which currently include: overall communications strategy and planning, organizational publications and marketing, communication components of specific issue campaigns, managing overall media relations, and playing a leadership role on communications for the Environmental Priorities Coalition. The Communications Director is responsible for managing a full-time Communications Associate and engaging interns and volunteers to move the plan forward.

Full-time position. Work includes some evening and weekend meetings.

Reports to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Overall Communications Strategy

• Conceive, develop and implement an overall plan to both expand and target WEC’s communications;
• Ensure that this plan stays current and is executed in a timely fashion, providing support to “messengers” as needed;
• Pursue and manage communication research as needed;
• Involve non-staff communications talent in the plan by utilizing the skills of board members, key volunteers or paid consultants. Manage these relationships to enhance WEC’s overall communications capacity;
• Ensure that all WEC communications – donor-focused, activist-focused, media outreach - reinforce each other and fit within an overall communications strategy.

Organizational Communications

• Develop a system to capture contact information for target audiences, efficiently tailor communications to them, and track results;
• Identify and pursue opportunities for WEC to communicate with targeted audiences through web-based communication tools;
• Work with staff to ensure WEC’s website is used to its full capacity as a tool for donors and activists;
• Oversee monthly development and production of WEC’s e-news;
• Oversee quarterly development and production of WEC’s print newsletter;
• Oversee development and production of annual report;
• Ensure outreach tools (organizational materials, display, presentation) are available and utilized by WEC’s staff and board of directors.

Environmental Priorities Coalition Communications

• Play a lead role in helping the Environmental Priorities Coalition develop a multi-year communications plan;
• Coordinate annual communications around the Environmental Priorities as a package, including mapping out media and web outreach plans that support the individual campaign plans.

Campaign/Issue Communications

• Work with staff to develop communication elements of campaign plans, including identifying target audiences and developing campaign messaging;
• Assist with executing these plans including outreach to the media and preparing campaign materials;
• Cultivate relationships with members of the media by providing them with story ideas, contacts and timely and reliable information;
• Work with the staff and board on preparing effective commentary for the media relating to campaigns and other issues.

Management and Administration

• Manage the Communications Associate and determine the best way to utilize her talents to advance the communications plan;
• Assist with the writing of grant proposals and reports as related to communications efforts.
  
  

Qualifications

• A passion for the environment!
• Strong background (5+ years) in communications including organizational marketing, media relations, and issue campaign work;
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in communications, marketing or related field;
• Creative energy to build a multi-year organizational communications plan;
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate several projects simultaneously;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in coalitions;
• Ability to work both independently and to manage others;
• Strong interpersonal skills. Flexible;
• Experience with non-profit advocacy or political efforts is a plus.

Salary depends on qualifications. Good benefits and vacation package. Opportunity to work in a dynamic and fun office for an organization that is making a difference.

To apply