IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Job Title: Director of Communications
Reports to: Director of Development
Location: Portland, Oregon
Application Deadline: 5pm Friday 4/29/2011
Summary
Our mission is to “inspire fresh thinking that creates environmental, social and economic value.” Ecotrust has a twenty-year track record innovating triple bottom line solutions from Alaska to California: saving temperate rainforest watersheds with First Nations communities, creating the world's first environmental bank, the first LEED Gold historic restoration, and the first ecological forest investment fund. We have published twenty-five books, manage fifteen websites, and maintain a wide range of relations with thousands of donors, businesses, government agencies, and organizations in the northwest region and around the world.
The Director of Communications develops key messages and sets strategic direction, manages the overall Ecotrust brand and oversees a communications team of staff and external contractors.
We are looking for a seasoned professional, one adept at developing and employing strategies across both traditional and emerging media, and able to distill complex messages into compelling stories.
Responsibilities
The Director of Communications is responsible for ensuring the overall integrity and reach of the Ecotrust brand. Additionally he/she has oversight responsibility for all aspects of Ecotrust communications activities, including but not limited to: strategic direction, marketing, public relations, writing and creative design of Ecotrust publications and collateral material, earned media, social media, and online content. While this position requires oversight responsibilities, this is also a hands-on role, and will include: developing key messages; results analysis; training staff, preparing remarks, backgrounders and scripts for management team of Ecotrust; media outreach and management; participating in a team-based environment; and providing support and counsel for programs across the organization.
Specific duties include:
- Work with internal staff and consultants to develop and execute brand discipline and a strategic communications program that enhances the visibility of Ecotrust as innovator
- Manage all aspects of executing Ecotrust’s communications strategy
- Oversee the development of a compelling suite of collateral materials for the organization and its programs, ensuring complex issues are appropriately synthesized for multiple audiences
- Maintain a media and events calendar, serve as the front line responder to all media inquiries, work with PR professionals as necessary to increase Ecotrust’s exposure in mainstream and non-mainstream media channels
- Gain recognition for Ecotrust’s many activities across multiple platforms and with diverse audiences
- Support organizational fundraising efforts by increasing the positive perception of Ecotrust within the donor community
- Manage contractors and a staff of writers, graphic designers, videographers, and new media practitioners to meet the communications needs of the organization
Qualifications
To succeed in this challenging role, you must have:
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, writing, public relations, marketing or a related field.
- 10–15 years of experience and a proven track record of accomplishment in communications and branding
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in working in Ecotrust’s core values areas of ecology, economy, and social equity
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Demonstrated success in the development, management and implementation of communications strategies, including local and national press, and new media
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities effectively, assimilate information quickly, analyze problems and implement appropriate solutions is required managing a team of staff and contract designers, copy writers, and PR professionals
- Demonstrated understanding of strategic planning, positioning, building brands and partnerships
- Exceptional interpersonal, project management, multi-tasking and written and oral communication skills, including an emphasis on feature writing
- Desire and proven ability to work in an intense, results-oriented environment
- Ability to work independently and develop a high-functioning communications team
- Tolerance for ambiguity
The position is full-time. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, excellent benefits package including retirement plan match, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account; life insurance and disability coverage provided.
