Jobs

Description

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office

We are looking for a multi-channel communication strategist with a proven record of accomplishment of PR and media work, story mining, creative story telling as well as excellent writing and content creation skills. This position will serve as Communications point-of-contact for all internal and external inquiries (Comms, Development, partners, and media) as it relates to IFAWs Marine Conservation program at large. The post holder will champion the Program through the overarching Communications goals of brand awareness, fundraising and thought leadership.

The candidate brings international experience on leading high-profile public communication and marketing campaigns, including project management. The Communications Manager must demonstrate a strong ability to manage partnerships with funding organizations, those in the advocacy space, and in collaboration with IFAW’s marine projects on the ground. This role must be able to identify cross-programmatic themes by translating priorities and insights into earned media strategies and brand marketing ideas. This role will collaborate with creative teams, communication and digital staff across the globe to conceptualize, strategize, write and execute global and in-market campaigns and initiatives—and in particularly close collaboration with IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue & Research program communications lead. The Manager will be expected to be a self-motivated problem solver who knows how to get things done and work well under pressure; the ability and passion to navigate diverse, complex, and global subject matters is necessary.

Role and Responsibilities

• As Program Communications lead, this position is responsible for creating, managing and driving results essential to meeting IFAW’s Institutional Strategic Plan, our communication strategy, fiscal year Communications Work Plan, and the individual Program Strategy goals
• Demonstrate inspired leadership of those teammates in Project Communications roles within the Program, and an ability to engage [across Comms, Development and more] as a trusted single point of contact for the most accurate/current Program information in the organization
• Develop a cohesive and profitable communication strategy to support the IFAW Marine Conservation program in meeting specific brand and business objectives internationally. This will include significant public outreach for IFAW’s priority North Atlantic right whale (NARW) campaign, the European shipping campaign, and in synergy with Marine Mammal Rescue & Research activities.
• Write, execute and manage project communication plans (as part of funding proposals to support projects) in close collaboration with partners and communication team members, to bring to life IFAW’s projects across channels in a way that builds credibility and helps strengthen IFAW’s position amongst institutional and government funding bodies
• Pro-actively and continuously pitch IFAW’s marine work to global and national media outlets, securing quantity and quality coverage at an ongoing basis and establishing a network of journalists and outlets that will be key in raising awareness for the urgency of the world most pressing ocean issues. Confident in hosting and facilitating journalist visits as well as handling media inquiries in a highly professional manner
• Develop, own and continuously update NARW messaging, collateral, microsite and website content pro-actively
• Prioritize story mining, creative storytelling and content production, ensuring messaging and positioning reflect IFAW’s values, policies and ethical procedures, such as informed consent, and that sensitive information and vulnerable individuals are protected
• As a brand arbiter, serve as guardian of IFAW’s brand as well as programmatic positioning and tone of voice to ensure cross-channel consistency
• Evolve the IFAW brand by identifying global and/or regional opportunities for celebrities, influencer relationships, and event, helping to raise ocean topics of urgency and expand reach beyond IFAW current audiences
• Stay abreast of continually shifting cultural, market, digital, and social trends with the ability to apply and communicate them as strategic recommendations to internal stakeholders
• Pro-actively position IFAW as a (thought) leader by developing stakeholder communication strategies to help build and grow key networks and provide mentorship, guidance and support to regional/in-country marketing and communications staff to inspire new thinking and deliver best-in-class results
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business, public relations, marketing or other related subject matter preferred; Master’s Degree is a plus
• 7+ years of professional service experience with an emphasis on strategic plan development, budget management and project management
• Excellent story mining, storytelling and writing skills
• Experience in cross channel project management of high-profile international communications campaigns, including digital and integrated marketing
• Experience in media pitching, media relations and, media interviews and press conferences
• Ability to multitask; work on several projects with varied needs all at once
• Comfort with brand, media, and performance analytics
• Ability to be a visual storyteller; build decks that flow and tell a clear, concise story
• Strong strategic writing skills – you can distill complexities to any audience
• A knack for presenting compellingly, confidently, and convincingly – and for leading ideation and collaboration sessions with both colleagues and clients
• Experience and confidence in hosting journalists and dealing with media requests
• Real passion for new ideas, and innovation
• Record of leading projects, campaigns, and brand experiences with measurable results
• Ability to assess ideas for their distinctiveness, relevance and effectiveness; refine and constructively improve the ideas of others
• Build and deliver well-communicated strategic stories from a variety of inputs and information
• Contribute research, development, and thought leadership within our industry

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Learn more here