Job Opening: Communications Director, National Audubon Society

Position: Communications Director, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign
Job Location: Baton Rouge or New Orleans, La.
Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Category: Communications/Marketing

Overview:

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 22 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 46 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Purpose of the Position:

The Communications Director for the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign (MRDRC) will play a key role in raising awareness of and building a constituency for the Walton Family Foundation-funded MRDRC. The Communications Director, working in concert with partner organizations, will advance MRDRC goals by leading the Communications Committee to implement measurable integrated communications plans. The Communications Director will integrate MRDRC strategies with Audubon’s broader Gulf-wide communications plans, providing strategic counsel and collaboration toward Gulf Coast region and national issues.

Essential Functions:

WFF Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign (90%)

• Lead MRDRC Communications Committee through restoration implementation phases, including: state and federal policy fulfillment, conservation agenda advocacy and restoration project advancement.
• Implement, update and design new communications and engagement plans and sub-strategies to support MRDRC and related Audubon conservation priorities.
• Drive strategic plan execution in a manner that meets the quantitative, qualitative and best-practice goals outlined in measurement sections. Lead measurement protocol.
• Pursue integration of communications planning and action with other committees’ strategic planning initiatives, including: policy, science, field, online and business partnerships. Deploy joint Building a Pro-Restoration Movement campaign.
• Proactively identify and leverage emerging communications opportunities, including pitching stories to media, drafting op-eds and letters to the editor and other efforts to support MRDRC and Audubon’s objectives in the Delta region.
• Deploy reactive communications strategies surrounding unexpected media, policy and community developments and issues response needs.
• Guide planning and execution of press conferences and special events in conjunction with key policy, media and community landmarks and anniversaries.
• Lead planning and execution of comprehensive paid media plans, including management of agency personnel and partners in advertising campaign planning, deployment and measurement.
• Manage agency and contractor engagement; monitor interactions to achieve desired outcomes. Oversee budget.
• Pursue public opinion and sociological research, building on previous research when available, to refine targeting, messaging, messengers, and other elements of strategy.
• Oversee development of communications collateral materials to support campaign committees, including fact sheets, press materials, reports, promotional items, mailers, videos, online and multimedia resources.
• Promote adherence to and update content of (as needed) MRDRC communications guidelines, with focus on social/online media. Devise and manage training protocol for new staff, in collaboration with online team leader.
• Build awareness and support for Mississippi River Delta conservation throughout the Audubon organization, including staff, board members and chapters through close coordination and active participation with Audubon national outreach efforts.
• Attain strategic alignment with National Audubon communications leads to integrate MRDRC communications strategies accordingly and complement overarching organizational goals.
• Supervise MRDRC Communications Coordinator in fulfillment of the tasks described above.

Audubon Gulf Coast Coordination (10%)

• In coordination with MS Flyway Vice President and Gulf states Audubon staff, manage Audubon Gulf-wide Communications Plan implementation and related WFF Gulf-wide initiative progress.
• Collaborate with Gulf states teams to track measurable outcomes toward attaining set qualitative and quantitative goals.
• Support proactive storytelling and participate in issues-driven communications strategy and response as needed through region.

Relationships:

Internal: National Audubon Society staff at all levels, especially management and conservation staff within Mississippi River Delta, Gulf Coast and national arenas. Second-tier reporting to VP, Gulf Coast/Mississippi Flyway on Gulf matters.

External: Partners, especially related to the Walton-funded Mississippi River Delta restoration collaborative, media, vendors, contractors, scientists and government officials.

Qualifications and Experience:

Qualifications: (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills)

• No fewer than five years of experience in public relations, journalism or other communications and marketing fields with a demonstrated record of success dealing with national-international media and communications issues.
• Demonstrated success in leading a team and creating and implementing communications strategies.
• Experience in planning and executing web-based communications campaigns and other electronic communications products; leadership in environmental campaigns and with social media preferred.
• Ability to maintain strong and productive relationships with media, Audubon staff, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Exceptional writing, reporting and editing skills. Must write well quickly and under pressure.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information clearly to various audiences, in writing, one-on-one, and in formal presentations.
• Exceptional time-management skills and ability to juggle multiple projects and consistently meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of conservation issues, especially related to birds and their habitats, desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Regular travel required.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Equipment:

Ability to operate Windows-based computers (including Microsoft Office); proficiency with public relations software, Adobe creative software, social media platforms, and other software; and experience in operating still cameras, video cameras, and sound-recording devices preferred.

To apply, please visit: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/2267/communications-director%2c-mississippi-river-delta-restoration-campaign/job.