Communications Director

Summary

Join Global Fishing Watch as their interim Communications Director for a 12-month maternity leave cover, starting February 2025. This leadership role involves leading global communications and public engagement, setting strategies, and overseeing a team. You will advise senior management, manage communications projects, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. The ideal candidate possesses significant experience in strategic communications, media relations, and science communication, along with excellent writing and editing skills. The position is remote, with a preference for the U.S. East Coast or Europe/UK, and offers a competitive salary based on location and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required
• Significant direct experience in positions with communications responsibilities, with experience as a strategic communications, media relations and/or science communications professional preferred
• Proven track record of developing and delivering high-profile communications strategies
• Significant, demonstrable experience in delivering large scale communications campaigns within a complex stakeholder landscape
• Experience in all aspects of communications delivery, from PR and media to events and social media
• Excellent oral communication, writing, and editing skills, with ease in expressing complex concepts and issues in a clear, effective manner for general audiences and policy experts alike
• Significant experience in earned media, with understanding of media operations and news organizations and experience pitching press materials. Understanding of traditional and social media with a keen sense of how to adapt to changes in the landscape
• Proficient with G suite (e.g., docs, slides, sheets)
• Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, organize time and identify resources for projects as needed
• Positive, solution-oriented, self-starter outlook, with comfort working individually and in groups to meet goals
• Strong commitment to accuracy and keen attention to detail
• Possess a proactive attitude to solving problems with a diplomatic approach to communications with colleagues
• Native or fluent in English language

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and review of GFW’s global communications approach, and support the design and delivery of regional and project specific communications plans
• Actively participate in senior management team (SMT) virtual and in-person meetings, providing briefings, escalating issues and risks as needed
• Oversee and support the head of strategic communications in the development and implementation of GFW program, policy and region-specific communications plans; manage and guide the head of strategic communications to deliver an integrated approach with research and product communications efforts
• Act as a key advisor to the chief strategy and external affairs officer, providing strategic counsel and support in coordinating delivery of the communications function
• Maintain and update quarterly communications goals, objectives and key results (OKRs) with team members, manage performance, and track delivery
• Guide and oversee the growth of the communications team and participate in recruitment efforts
• Oversee the day-to-day management and successful operation of the communications team. Supervise communications staff, providing leadership, guidance and feedback, mentorship and professional development, and support in resolving conflicts and complex problems. Conduct quarterly evaluations and annual performance reviews for all direct reports
• Manage, guide and support the senior website manager in the development and delivery of the web development strategy, contractors and key projects to improve our website
• Manage, guide and support the senior manager, media relations in the development and delivery of media strategies, spokesperson training, interview preparation and media outreach
• Work with partner organizations and institutions to develop shared plans and materials to support program goals and announcements
• Critically evaluate and report on the success of communications strategies and make recommendations to enhance future performance
• Oversee and support development of complex and diversified digital, print, video, events and earned media projects, managing vendors when relevant
• Write and edit communications materials, in line with GFW’s editorial style guide, including press releases, statements, articles, fact sheets and briefs
• Manage and approve publications for the website; support GFW staff with content editing, copyediting and proofing to ensure external materials comply with messaging and are in adherence to brand and editorial guidelines
• Be available for communications tasks outside of working hours on a reasonable basis to ensure support to global staff and prompt attention to external queries
• Organize and manage the process of selecting outsourced agencies/services and manage deadlines and quality of scheduled deliveries
• Contributes content/material to fundraising proposals, grant management efforts and board materials
• Develops and manages budgets for communications projects, supporting the chief strategy and external affairs officer on annual budget plans. Review grant agreements and attend grant check-ins, providing updates on communications deliverables
• Prioritize/lead compliance and best practices efforts across communications materials
• Ensure a safe, secure, welcoming and legal work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public policy or campaigns is a plus
• Experience using content management systems, ideally WordPress, a plus
• Spanish and/or French proficiency is highly desirable

Benefits

• Compensation: A compensation range for this position is $140,000-150,000 USD per year for US-based contractors, GBP 85,000-100,000 for UK Based, EUR 70,000-80,000 for EU based.  For applicants located outside of the US, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire . Compensation is commensurate with experience and will vary depending on the hired candidate’s country of residence, in accordance with local laws and regulations
• Remote work