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The Wilderness Society (TWS), founded in 1935, is a national non-profit conservation organization. The mission of The Wilderness Society is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than 300,000 members and supporters, 170 staff, and an annual budget of $26 million, we are the largest and most effective public lands conservation group in the country. We seek a highly creative, skilled, and experienced communications expert to direct a broad range of regional communications efforts for the California/Nevada region. The Communications Director will be a key member of a dynamic, creative, and skilled team working to protect the wild landscapes of California and Nevada. Qualifications - The ideal candidate has at least seven to 10 years experience in advocacy, environmental, and/or political communications work and a proven record of success with media relations and broader communications initiatives.
- A Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in communications, political science, environmental studies, or related field is required.
- He or she must have outstanding strategic instincts, excellent writing and speaking skills, and an ability to integrate complex scientific, legal and policy analysis into communications campaigns.
- Knowledge of the legislative process and public policy is helpful; experience with conservation, public lands and/or forestry issues is desirable.
- Experience working in California and/or with Spanish-language media is preferred.
- A strong conservation ethic, and proven familiarity with and use of new media to move issues, is essential. The ability to lead initiatives, juggle competing priorities and work effectively within teams and coalitions is important.
- The position is fast-paced and challenging, and offers a wealth of opportunity to diversify skills and experience, exercise leadership and pursue creative ideas.
- Some travel is required.
Responsibilities The Communications Director is responsible for leading comprehensive communications efforts that advance The Wilderness Society's national and regional agenda, including: - Developing and implementing national and regional communications strategies and outreach campaigns;
- Crafting messages and media outreach materials including op-eds, press releases, fact sheets, and briefing packages for print, electronic and broadcast media;
- Creating or overseeing development of other communications materials such as web content, brochures, reports, alerts to members, and paid advertisements;
- Initiating and maintaining excellent working relationships with key media and effectively reaching out to new media audiences;
- Developing new messengers, through outreach and training, to effectively deliver conservation messages from diverse constituencies;
- Producing and managing media events such as radio tours, reporter conference calls, and one-on-one interviews;
- Working closely with local and regional partners on strategic advice, message work, and general grassroots assistance;
- Working to strategically leverage TWS resources, especially our original science and policy analysis;
- Translating scientific concepts into understandable material for a lay audience;
- Coordinating closely with other TWS staff, particularly the nationwide conservation communications team and the director of marketing, to fully integrate regional campaign communications efforts and strategies into nationwide priority campaigns;
- Improving message research, development and discipline;
- Assisting with membership communications as appropriate;
- Assisting regional program staff with media outreach, working with them to handle breaking news and develop future story concepts;
- Coordinating with TWS staff and outside consultants/vendors in support of assigned programs; and
- Managing budgets for applicable program communications efforts
This position will be located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package, including health and dental insurance and a pension plan. The Wilderness Society is an equal opportunity employer and diversity is a core value. Please submit resume, cover letter, at least two writing samples, and references to: Stephanie Tsai
The Wilderness Society
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA 94111
E-mail: CACommDirector@tws.org
No phone calls, please.
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