Job Title: Director of Communications and Marketing

Salary Range: $92,685 - $102,000

Reports to: Vice President

MISSION: For more than 50 years, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting Southwest Florida's water, land, wildlife, and future.

PURPOSE OF JOB:

Oversees the execution of branding, marketing, communications, and public relations programs designed to promote the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, including institutional and advocacy positions, membership and development, policy, science, education programs, Nature Store, Nature Center, volunteers, and wildlife rehabilitation. Accountable for public perception of the organization. Manage this perception by developing marketing and communication strategies, understanding the importance of timing and setting, and responding to fast-paced media inquiries. Oversees a team of diverse communications roles and ensures that information is consistent with the strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Management and Leadership:

• Participates in hiring, supervising, motivating, and managing marketing & communications team members.

• Provides oversight of the marketing & communications team to promote a positive organizational image and build connections within the organization.

• Directs and supervises outside creative support agencies.

• Work closely with the marketing team to develop and ensure alignment of efforts and strategies to build efficiencies in workflow.

Communications and Messaging:

• Develop deadlines for yearly communications and development calendar.

• Identifies, writes, and edits executive-level communications for internal and external audiences, including presentations and Op-Eds for publications.

• Works with team members to coordinate interviews with appropriate staff for digital, broadcast, and print media.

• Works with team members to cultivate and maintain good media relations and an updated media contact list.

• Oversees story pitches, media releases, and follow-ups.

• Works with the marketing and communications team to respond to media inquiries concerning the Conservancy and the environment and coordinates as needed.

Marketing and Branding:

• Creates and manages the annual marketing & communications budget.

• Develop a marketing & communications plan to meet organizational objectives.

• Oversees the execution of the marketing and communications plan.

• Evaluate research, market conditions, and competitor data.

• Oversees branding for the Conservancy, including logo use, digital resources, messaging, and brand attributes in all aspects of forward marketing, events, and media relations.

• Oversees development of policies, procedures, and objectives for marketing and promoting the organization's products and services.

• Plans and directs activities to advertise and promote the organization and its programs or services.

• Oversees marketing, advertising, and production agencies and activities.

• Works with outside professional agencies when needed to handle public relations issues, special projects, research surveys, and other situations.

Community Engagement and Relations:

• Serves as the spokesperson for the organization as needed.

• Engages with senior staff and board members to execute key messaging.

• Creates and maintains relationships with key community leaders and media.

• Provides oversight of all public and media relations for Conservancy.

• Provides oversight of all publications for the Conservancy.

• Oversees Conservancy website content, development and updates, and all digital communication channels.

Event Coordination and Support:

• Oversees all collateral development and marketing materials related to special events, including RedSnook, Annual Members Meeting, Annual Recognition Breakfast, Magic Under the Mangroves, and Earth Day.

• Coordinates production, scripts, run-of-show, and production elements for special events.

• Available to attend organizational events and/or media visits when needed on occasional evenings and weekends.

• Other duties, as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or 4-10 years of related experience, or a combination of education and experience.

• Minimum five years of diverse marketing, PR, and communications experience, including digital media.

• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to lead and deliver projects, encourage initiatives, build a sense of common purpose, and empower others. Other skills sought include the ability to translate the Conservancy’s vision into reality; believe in the members of the team; ability to motivate and inspire others; ability to connect and engage with staff throughout the Conservancy; have a clear vision and know-how to effectively communicate it in the workplace; know how to coach employees so they can develop their skills and improve their performance; recognize others’ achievements; have empathy; enhance dialogues; listen to employees; lead by example; know how to create unity in the workplace; encourage open and transparent communication; encourage creativity and innovation; ability to build trust; positivity; and reliability.

• Strong commitment to biodiversity, environmental quality, and natural resources conservation.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Proficient in advanced computer skills.

• Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing plans, including digital media.

• Proficient in managing printing, graphic design, photography, websites, e-communications, digital media, newsletters, and promotional collateral.

• Strong copywriting skills.

• Detail-oriented organizational ability, adept at managing tight deadlines and unknown projects.

• Experience in staff and budget development and administration.

• Collaborative work experience with diverse stakeholders.

• Innovative and creative approach to communications and marketing.

The above statements describe the general qualifications required to perform the job and the general nature and level of work performed - not a complete list of duties - additional responsibilities may be assigned by management.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong Decision-Making: Proficient in making well-informed decisions based on thorough analysis and consideration of various factors, ensuring effective strategies and actions.

• Effective Delegation: Skilled in delegating tasks and responsibilities to team members with clarity and accountability, enhancing overall productivity and team performance.

• Timely Delivery of Communication and Marketing Projects: Demonstrated ability to manage and deliver communication and marketing projects on schedule, meeting deadlines and achieving objectives efficiently.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

• Valid driver's license and good driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job description recognizes that reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. The job entails:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk.

• Lift/move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

• May spend time in the field, and experience exposure to Florida outdoor weather conditions.

• Use of hands for various tasks.

• Visual abilities include close and color vision and peripheral and depth perception.

• Noise level in the work environment is typically moderate.

BENEFITS: Benefits include healthcare insurance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life insurance, 401k program, telemedicine, and short and long-term disability. Paid time off includes 12 days of vacation, four days of personal leave, 8.5 days of holiday, and up to 12 days of sick leave per year. The office is on our beautiful campus next to the Gordon River Greenway. Employees receive complimentary kayak usage and eco-cruise tickets, discounts in our Welcome Center store, and staff membership, including reciprocal benefits with other Nature Centers.