Senior Director, Strategic Communications

ABOUT US

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years. 

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 

POSITION SUMMARY

As a key leader within the Marketing and Communications team, the Senior Director, Strategic Communications will serve as a deputy and thought partner to the Vice President, Marketing and Communications offering management, planning, strategy and operations support across multiple platforms and programs. The Senior Director should have a deep grounding in all aspects of brand communications, messaging, and storytelling with a particular focus on policy and program communications. They should be well-versed in media/public relations, digital marketing, creative/design, corporate partner communications, events and 360° content strategy/storytelling among others. Our ideal candidate has in-depth experience making complex science, policy and data accessible to key audiences. They should be self-directed, proactive and motivated. We are looking for a compelling storyteller that isn’t afraid of thinking creatively to inspire awareness, affinity and action toward forest conservation, Tree Equity and climate solutions

The Senior Director will oversee day-to-day operations for the Marcomms team, including managing 2-3 full-time employees, several contractors and agencies. They will set realistic deadlines, shepherd projects to completion and ensure efficiency and smooth delivery of all campaigns, announcements, events and other promotional efforts. They will oversee the marketing and editorial calendar and serve as a senior Marcomms contact to internal staff, including members of the Executive team. They will assist with budget management and other operations activities as assigned. We seek someone who is extremely organized, detailed-oriented and thrives on defining processes, structure and ensuring accountability from team members. This individual will also serve as coach and mentor to the team and champion a supportive and collaborative culture.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Marketing & Communications and Brand Planning, Implementation & Management (50%)

• Design and implement multi-faceted, integrated communications campaigns around American Forests’ Tree Equity and Resilient Forests programs. Successfully engage with internal and external stakeholders including high profile elected officials, media, donors, etc.
• Oversee creation of a strategic communications plan across Tree Equity and Resilient Forests. Set priorities and goals, measurable objectives, strategies, and tactics.
• Oversee the creation of strategic communications materials, including press releases, talking points, briefing memos, policy campaigns, speeches, annual reports, digital copy, call-to-actions, photography/videography, post-campaign analysis, etc.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure brand messaging and initiatives are aligned across all touchpoints. Manage work with external agencies, partners and stakeholders in order to maximize brand exposure and impact.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key media outlets, influencers and industry stakeholders, ensuring consistent media coverage and positive brand representation. In this role, you will think big picture and identify long-term strategic opportunities.
• Keep apprised of CEO calendar and public speaking opportunities in order to support efforts on digital platforms and generate additional PR/media opportunities.
• Proactively monitor and keep abreast of current affairs, events, conferences and milestones in the fields of forestry, climate change and federal policy in order to identify cross-promotional opportunities, and to help craft long-term editorial and events calendar and rapid response tactics on behalf of American Forests.
• Manage the American Forests brand to ensure consistency in usage, application and excellence across all communications.
• Serve as point of contact for all MarCom-related consultants, such as PR agencies, news agencies or event organizers, to ensure project goals, timelines and budget parameters are met.
• Partner with VP in development of the overarching brand strategy, including audience insights, segmentation, targeting and positioning.

Team Management, Calendar and Comms Process (30%)

• Develop metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of communications initiatives and tools.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that emphasizes learning and a commitment to excellence through a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day management of team’s priorities and communications, including running weekly Marcomms meetings.
• Drive efforts to develop, define and communicate the marketing and communications team process and structure to internal partners.
• Serve as a leadership partner with HR to support and collaborate on internal communications to keep staff informed and apprised of key work.

Storytelling, Content Strategy & Efficiency (20%)

• Guided by data, optimize content across digital channels and work closely with American Forests’ content team to develop new and improved ways for digital storytelling, including video, podcasts and animations. For example, oversee migration of existing content from print publications to digital with the goal of increasing engagement and support across target audiences.
• Manage content gathering for photography, videography and other creative design assets for the purpose of storytelling.
• Work with graphic designers to elevate our storytelling through infographics, maps and other creative.

QUALIFICATIONS

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field required
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in strategic communications, media relations and crisis communication at a mission-driven organization, on a campaign, in government or at a social impact agency, with at least 5 years of experience leading a team
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful communications plans in a dynamic and fast-paced environment while managing agencies, staff and contractors
• Proven ability to implement digital strategies aimed at growing audiences across all platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for detail and accuracy
• Deep understanding of a variety of issues and communications and a passion for following current events, advocacy, societal conversation and trends particularly as they relate to climate change, forestry and environmental justice
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines, as well as manage competing projects and urgent deliverables
• Comfort working in an ambiguous environment with many different stakeholders and partners
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with leadership and cross-functional teams

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a remote position with preference given to individuals able to work east coast hours.

This position will require up to 20% of travel throughout the U.S. and/or to American Forests’ headquarters in Washington D.C.

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

This position supervises 2-3 direct reports and external vendors.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+

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In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.