Senior Manager, Strategic Communications (Nature)

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.  

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).  

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

POSITION SUMMARY  

Under the guidance of the Managing Director - Integrated Communications, the Senior Manager, Strategic Communications develops comprehensive communication strategies that advance organizational goals and enhance public engagement for the work led by NRDC’s Nature Department, which is comprised of Ocean, Lands, and Food & Agriculture Divisions.  

This role works within broad communications priorities set by the Managing Director to develop, launch, measure, and optimize the impact of a multichannel communications departmental plan. This plan will be monitored across earned, owned and paid media channels in collaboration with media, digital advocacy and fundraising, content and creative teams, to amplify NRDC's impact, thought leadership and drive supporter action.   

This is a limited term 2 year position.  This person can be based out of any of NRDC's US-offices (New York, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Monica).

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions: 

• In partnership with the Managing Director, Integrated Communications; and in close collaboration with the SVP for Nature and the MDs of the Lands, Ocean and Food & Agriculture divisions; this role develops and executes clear, compelling, and measurable multichannel communication plans for the assigned department and divisions, to reach key target audiences in collaboration with programmatic and communications teams. 
• Create and update messaging for strategic departmental initiatives. 
• Strategically lead and proactively prioritize the intake, planning, and execution of communications and marketing requests from the Nature department. Identifying where the top communications, marketing and advocacy opportunities are within the program work.  
• Establish ongoing communications priorities and the communications calendar.  
• Develop tactics and approaches to drive audiences from awareness to action. 
• Identify key Nature department content areas of opportunity that elevate NRDC’s visibility and profile.  
• Maintain expertise of relevant priority Nature narratives along with audience trends in alignment with policy issues in Congress, the White House, state legislatures, and regulatory agencies, as well as at the global stage level, including international multilateral agreements and conferences.  
• Partner with Editorial and Content teams to develop written and visual assets that will resonate with target audiences and drive relevance for the organization. 
• Vet content with experts from across the institution to ensure accuracy and message alignment. 
• Partner with the Digital Advocacy and Fundraising team in developing appropriate tactics to promote key messages and help shape membership and fundraising efforts. 
• Partner with Earned and Social Media teams to amplify key institutional priorities, programs, and initiatives. 
• Champion a data-driven approach to evaluate communications efforts and inform future strategies, partnering with the Director of Analytics. 
• Partner with NRDC leadership to develop and implement executive thought leadership strategies  

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned. 

Minimum Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field. 
• 4 or more years relevant experience leading communications campaigns and coordinating communications teams, with 7 years total experience in communications, journalism, advocacy or a related field. 
• And/or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies  

• Strong collaborator with inclusive mindset that leads with confidence and inspires confidence among colleagues at all levels.  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.  
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical communications and marketing initiatives. 
• Ability to speak and write in a clear and understandable manner for internal/external relations.   
• Strong organizational and project management skills. 
• Proven experience managing priorities and working effectively across multiple internal stakeholders.  
• Experience developing and implementing multichannel communications plans. 
• Expertise in advocacy communications, with a deep understanding of audience segmentation, engagement tactics, and optimization. 
• Strong analytical skills and experience leveraging data insights to drive decision-making and improve communications campaign outcomes. 
• Strong attention to detail. 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.    
• Familiar with project management tools like Asana. 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-15% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently:  Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite  

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $103,500 to $115,000.  

Perks & Benefits 

Not only do we care about taking care of our planet, we care about taking care of you. When you join our team, we invest in your total well-being. Here is a small glimpse on how we plan to support you: 

• Time to Unplug & Recharge: Enjoy a generous time-off policy, highlighted by a company-wide year-end Rest & Recharge Week to reset for the new year. 

• Family – First: Generous family leave policy beyond federal requirements for all NRDCers 

• For your Future: Matching 403b whether you contribute or not 

• Hybrid Policy: 8 day per month in-office requirement. In-office day requirements can be met with off-site work events such as retreats, conferences, and other work-related travel. 

• Well – being: Premium Comprehensive healthcare and mental health programs. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.