Communications Director, Political Affairs

Program Overview

The Political Affairs team leads EDF’s efforts to achieve our policy goals through the legislative, regulatory, and political systems at the federal, state, and local level. Our lobbyists, communicators, organizers, and experts work to achieve progress on environmental issues through the democratic process.

Overall Function

The Communications Director, Political Affairs is responsible for managing and leading a four-member team in the design and execution of strategic communications campaigns that support and further the goals of priority issue advocacy campaigns, including federal legislative and regulatory campaigns.

The Communications Director will develop communications strategies and tactics for impact and manage them to completion in the necessary timeframe, including media outreach, digital strategies, online and in-person events, and message development. This role also will work in collaboration with other environmental and conservation groups to advance shared goals, facilitate strategic development amongst coalition partners, lead assessment and evaluation of the communications work of coalition partners, and oversee management of external public relations and marketing consultants.

This position requires exceptional writing skills; strong collaboration skills, organization, and diplomacy; a keen interest in political and environmental issues; and an ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously on a wide range of issues. An ideal candidate would have experience executing public affairs campaigns.

The Communications Director will report to the Senior Communications Director, Political Affairs.

LOCATION

Washington, D.C. (on-site or hybrid)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the communications lead for Political Affairs campaigns and partnerships developing and implementing a variety of communications strategies and tactics that advance its goals.
• Manage and mentor a high performing team with a focus on growth and development.
• Collaborate with and lead cross-functional teams to achieve joint objectives.
• Execute long-term, strategic communications planning, and drive forward the implementation of advocacy-oriented communications plans; track effectiveness and reevaluate as needed to achieve goals.
• Produce materials for internal teams and external partners to assist and support their engagement on legislative priorities and administrative rules, including talking points, fact sheets, backgrounders, policy support letters, toolkits, and other outreach materials.
• Develop, refine, and promote content for policymakers and environmental and political journalists; this includes writing, editing, and promoting to target audiences, media statements, op-eds, blog posts, web pages and social media posts.
• Develop and manage paid media, including digital, television and other platforms.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with targeted journalists; work to take advantage of press opportunities; and get EDF experts, analysis and reports included in relevant stories. This includes developing talking points and collateral; media outreach; placing op-eds; coordinating meetings with journalists.
• Coordinate social media strategy for the program and direct daily execution, including drafting messages and responses, of social media team; identify opportunities to use brand-level social media channels and coordinate outreach with Digital team and lead writing of first drafts.
• Manage events to promote the team’s work, including drafting speeches, advising on speakers, digital promotion, etc.
  Collaborate effectively with other environmental and conservation groups to advance shared goals.
• Manage vendors and collaborate with research and/or coalition partners.
• Track, record, and prepare reports on communications efforts and media coverage.
• Facilitate program staff approval of content.
• Respond to breaking news and legislative events.
• Continually build skills among program staff to help achieve strong communications results through various channels (media, digital, speaking engagements, etc.).
• Participate in advancing EDF DEI goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 10+ years’ marketing/communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context; environmental experience is a plus
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for policymaker and civil society audiences.
• Proven experience leading, managing and mentoring 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
• Solid record of producing media coverage in international, national, and diverse outlets
• Extensive proficiency in strategic use of social and digital media
• Advanced knowledge of media database platforms such as Cision and Buzzsumo a plus
• Ability to work occasional non-standard hours, across time zones with a geographically dispersed team
• Demonstrates self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

Pay range

$118,000 – $130,000 USD/Yr.

Type

Regular Full Time

Location

Washington, D.C.

Put your passion and skills to work for the planet. Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time, and we need people like you to help us build a vital Earth — for everyone.

We’re Environmental Defense Fund, a fast-paced nonprofit with a growing staff of more than 1,000 people in nearly 30 countries. We deliver game-changing solutions that cut climate pollution and strengthen people’s ability to thrive despite the effects climate change is already having. We work wherever we can have the most impact, from local communities to top companies to governments worldwide, and even in space.

Our culture, values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion make EDF an exciting and meaningful place to work. Every job here makes a difference. Won’t you join us?