Communications Director, Political Affairs

Environmental Defense Fund•Washington DC, DC

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Director, Political Affairs designs and executes strategic communications campaigns to support Environmental Defense Fund’s priority issues, particularly at the federal level. The role develops communications strategies and tactics and manages them through completion, including media outreach, digital strategies, online and in-person events, and message development. The director also works with environmental and conservation groups to advance shared goals, supports strategic development among coalition partners, assesses coalition partners’ communications work, and oversees external public relations and marketing consultants. The position reports to the Associate Vice President, Communications, Political Affairs, and works closely with the Vice President, Political and Government Affairs. It manages a two-person team and collaborates with internal teams, coalition partners, media, agencies, and vendors. This is a one-year fixed-term position, with the possibility of extension, based in the Washington, D.C. office and operating on a hybrid schedule of two to three days per week. The employer describes a total rewards package with competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

At least 8 years of marketing or communications experience; political or issue advocacy experience is preferred, and environmental experience is a plus.
Exceptional writing and editing skills for policymaker and civil society audiences.
Ability to lead, manage, and mentor staff and cross-functional teams.
Excellent project, time-management, and organizational skills.
Independent problem-solving and crisis communications skills.
Proven ability to use sophisticated public affairs strategies to achieve policy goals.
A solid record of producing media coverage in international, national, and diverse outlets.
Extensive proficiency in the strategic use of social and digital media.
Ability to work occasional non-standard hours across time zones with a geographically dispersed team.
Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a political or issue advocacy context.
Environmental experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate national, regional, or localized communications plans, strategies, goals, and key messages for EDF’s highest-priority issue areas in collaboration with the Political Affairs team.
Manage the timing and momentum of advocacy efforts to maximize impact.
Create message platforms and adapt them into talking points, speeches, op-eds, news releases, blogs, media pitches, story narratives, and other materials for audiences in countries where EDF operates.
Develop and execute an overarching digital program strategy to promote messaging and content and improve the performance and reach of political and policy content online.
Manage a two-person team.
Collaborate with the brand-level digital team on political messaging and content.
Develop and manage paid media across digital, television, and other platforms.
Develop media partnerships to amplify EDF’s messages and brand.
Maintain and cultivate relationships with agenda-setting media and reporters covering relevant topics.
Monitor media and identify opportunities to place EDF messages in the news, including pitching stories, editorials, op-eds, and blogs, and arranging desk-side and other media briefings.
Manage public relations and communications agency support, assess agency expertise, and oversee agency teams.
Prepare program staff for communications opportunities through training, advice, and support.
Partner with the membership team to activate EDF’s online community in support of priority issues.
Partner with Community Engagement and Justice & Equity teams to promote diversity in advocacy and storytelling.
Work with the AVP, Communications, Political Affairs, to cultivate a positive, diverse, and welcoming culture within a geographically dispersed team, coordinate staff and projects effectively, and lead by example.
Advance EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered in ways aligned with EDF values.
Coordinate communications strategy with advocacy coalition partners and other environmental organizations.
Manage external communications consultants and vendors as needed.