World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director, Communications, Private Sector Engagement

Major Function

The Communications Director leads communications for the WWF Plastic & Material Science team within the Private Sector Engagement (PSE) department, focused on corporate and policy action towards the goal of No Plastic in Nature. This role manages external communications for WWF in this issue area across one-on-one corporate partnerships, advocacy campaigns, and coalitions such as WWF’s ReSource: Plastic and Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance. The Director is a key member of the PSE communications team, managing communications with WWF’s major corporate partners as part of a broader strategy to inspire and motivate business audiences to take on the mantle of corporate leadership, fostering sustainable and responsible environmental practices and behavior.

• Lead development of communications strategies that position WWF as a leader in the plastics issue area by reaching numerous audiences, including business, policy (global-, federal-, and state-level), and WWF’s members and supporters.
• Work directly with WWF’s technical experts in the plastics issue area, to help inform and shape initiatives, and serve as a well-versed and knowledgeable strategic advisor for all external communications on this topic.
• Serve as in-house communications expert in the plastics issue area, including maintaining a working knowledge of WWF’s position on related hot-button technical topics, understanding who the critical players are, and what the various perspectives are across the communications landscape of this issue area.
• Responsible for managing WWF’s thought leadership in this issue area through various communications strategies including the development of editorial content and social media, as well as communications content and materials for technically-related events.
• Lead communications strategies for joint programmatic work with partner organizations, including both private sector, peer NGOs, and coalition advocacy groups.
• Manage 360 communications strategy for the issue of plastic pollution, ranging from corporate action through the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty and ReSource: Plastic to U.S. federal and state policy campaigns. Communications strategy includes:
  • content development (including blog posts and web stories) with the support of in-house subject matter experts
  • asset development (including website, video, infographics, and other graphic design) with third-party vendors.
  • speaking engagements and events
  • social media
  • stakeholder outreach
  • Collaborate with the Media & External Affairs team on key announcements and media moments
• Serve as communications lead for WWF partner companies to develop and implement communications plans related to the issue of plastic pollution.
• Work closely with internal media team to provide input into media strategy related to WWF’s plastic pollution initiatives.
• Serve as thought partner to WWF-International’s global advocacy and communications team and supports global advocacy initiatives on plastic pollution.
• Collaborate with all WWF goal team communicators and the Marketing and Communications division to ensure alignment with plastics messaging and objectives as well as WWF corporate engagement communications principles.
• Manage communications agency support.
• Perform other duties and take on other responsibilities as required according to organizational needs.

• Master's degree with a minimum of 10+ years' program, communications or other relevant professional experience is required.
• Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and managing communications strategies, particularly focused on public policy and advocacy efforts
• Strong organizational and communications skills, both verbal and written
• Critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent ability to build internal and external relationships
• Experience working with external partners and/or corporate clients
• Experience working on public policy issues
• Strong project management skills with proven ability to work as part of a high-level, multi-dimensional, international team
• Comfortable interacting with corporate and government personnel at all levels
• Demonstrated experience in relationship and partnership development.
• Working knowledge of the issue of plastic pollution and/or material science is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally (less than 10%)
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page,  Requisition #24075
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.