Communications Director

About Oceana

The oceans connect us all. They cover two-thirds of our blue planet and sustain most of the life on Earth. Yet they face unprecedented threats – from overfishing and habitat destruction to plastic pollution, offshore drilling, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks.

Oceana is the world’s largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. We campaign around the globe to win science-based policies that rebuild abundant, biodiverse oceans – and we’re winning. With the help of our allies, Oceana has achieved more than 325 policy victories that protect marine life, habitats, and coastal communities. 

A restored, healthy, and abundant ocean can help fight climate change, sustain livelihoods, and feed more than 1 billion people a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. 

Position Overview

Oceana seeks an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven Communications Director to lead national media and public relations efforts in support of the organization’s U.S. campaigns. This senior-level role will shape public narratives on issues ranging from ending overfishing and protecting ocean habitats to saving the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale and reducing plastic and oil pollution. 

The Communications Director oversees a talented team of four communications professionals as part of the Global Marketing and Communications department. The ideal candidate is an exceptional communicator and leader who thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment and knows how to make complex issues compelling for diverse audiences. 

This position is based in Washington, D.C. with occasional domestic and international travel required. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership:

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that elevate Oceana as the leading voice on ocean conservation in the U.S.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leadership, campaign directors, and regional and international colleagues.
• Serve as a key member of Oceana’s Global Marketing and Communications leadership team, shaping organization-wide media priorities and ensuring alignment with campaign goals.
• Oversee research, planning, implementation, and evaluation of major communications initiatives.

Media Relations & Storytelling: 

• Lead Oceana’s public relations strategy in the U.S. to shape media narratives, influence decision-makers, and advance campaign victories.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and editors at top national, regional, and international outlets.
• Secure high-impact media placements, op-eds, letters to the editor, and editorial support for Oceana’s U.S. campaigns.
• Provide writing and editing support to the U.S. campaign teams. 
• Secure speaking engagements for Oceana’s experts and oversee strategic events in support of the U.S. campaigns. 
• Provide media training to Oceana’s experts and spokespeople, including scientists, executives, and celebrity advocates.
• Serve as a spokesperson for Oceana as appropriate.
• Oversee media coverage tracking, analysis, and reporting, including preparation of board-level communications updates.

Team Management & Development: 

• Lead, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of communications experts.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and high-energy culture that values innovation, inclusivity, and accountability.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors and partners in collaboration with Oceana’s legal and creative teams.

Campaign Support & Collaboration:

• Partner with campaign teams to develop communications plans that drive measurable results.
• Create relationships with key stakeholders outside of the organization to advance campaign victories. 
• Work closely with the creative and digital teams to ensure coordinated storytelling across media, social, and web channels.
• Oversee the production of strategic materials—press releases, communications plans, reports, videos, and advertising campaigns.
• Ensure Oceana’s U.S. website remains current and compelling, including annual campaign content reviews.
• Support crisis communications as needed.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional communications experience, including at least five years of management experience.
• Proven success leading media relations for advocacy, nonprofit, political, or mission-driven organizations. 

Skills and Knowledge:

• Extensive media relations experience with strong networks across national, regional, and issue-based outlets. 
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with mastery of AP Style and an ability to translate scientific or policy content for general audiences. 
• Strong understanding of digital communications and social media platforms. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and make quick decisions under pressure. 
• Experience providing strategic counsel to senior executives and supporting high-visibility spokespeople. 
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams. 
• Positive, proactive, and solutions-oriented attitude. 
• Client service or agency experience preferred. 
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus, but not required. 

 Required Competencies:

• Action Oriented: Takes initiative and drives results with urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Instills Trust: Builds credibility through integrity, authenticity, and follow-through. 
• Ensures Accountability: Owns outcomes, takes responsibility, and holds others accountable. 
• Drives Engagement: Inspires and motivates team members to do their best work. 
• Plans & Aligns: Develops clear, organized plans aligned with Oceana’s goals. 
• Effective Communication: Delivers clear, compelling messages tailored to diverse audiences. 
• Customer Focus: Anticipates stakeholder needs and delivers beyond expectations. 

 The salary range for this position is $115,000 – $130,00 annually.

Why Join Oceana

Oceana is a fast-paced, mission-driven organization filled with passionate professionals committed to protecting the oceans and the communities who depend on them. We value collaboration, creativity, diversity, and measurable impact. Here, your work will contribute to winning campaigns and creating real, lasting change for the planet. 

The above declarations are not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job, and are a reasonable representation of its activities.

Candidates should submit their resume, cover letter and writing samples to be considered. 

 Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool.

 Oceana’s US offices operate on a hybrid schedule, and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work from home Monday and Friday.