About Ocean Conservancy

Our mission is to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges: too much going into the ocean (carbon, plastic, and other pollutants) and too much coming out of the ocean (marine life, habitat and other natural resources). Our vision is a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world.

About the Opportunity

Ocean Conservancy is seeking a seasoned Chief Brand and Communications Officer (CBCO) to unleash communications and marketing tools to advance our conservation mission and brand. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CBCO will serve as an integral organizational strategist, partnering with other members of the executive leadership team, and team members across the organization, to envision and lead a proactive overarching strategy to create and increase relevance and influence, reach new and broader markets and audiences, and inspire engagement and action.

Areas of Leadership

Executive Leadership: Serve as a peer, strategist, and thought partner on the executive leadership team. Leverage marketing and communications to raise visibility for the organization and for key organizational priorities. As an organizational leader, take an “institutionalist” perspective to collaborate deeply with peers and colleagues, own and convey institutional decisions, and model Ocean Conservancy’s culture.

• Key qualifications:
  • Belief in and commitment to Ocean Conservancy’s mission and values, ideally as demonstrated by experience in conservation, and understanding of the intersection of conservation and justice
  • A sitting or previous Chief or Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and/or Brand, in a mission driven organization, ideally of a parallel size or larger
  • Experience setting vision and strategy at the organizational level, and effectively designing and leading implementation internally and externally
  • Track record of developing strong, collaborative partnerships with other executive leaders to drive organizational cohesion, particularly in a hybrid, geographically distributed environment
  • Well developed change leadership tool kit that can adapt to organizational culture, with ability to rally individuals and teams around a shared vision, and track record of working with and through executive leaders to drive change initiatives

Team Leadership: Build and develop a cohesive, strong, high performing team, driven by impact. Steward a culture of innovation, leveraging existing Ocean Conservancy assets and designing with an eye to the future. Promote collaboration and accountability within and across teams, leading with optimism in service to Ocean Conservancy’s mission and work, and building trust and credibility internally and externally.

• Key qualifications:
  • Flexible, strong team leader, as demonstrated by history of creating diverse, inclusive, and engaged teams, managing individuals with diverse identities
  • Proven ability to break down silos and promote cross-functional communication and collaboration
  • History of successfully leading a geographically dispersed team
  • Track record of raising visibility, and building credibility, of internal marketing and communications teams

Strategic Visioning & Implementation of Marketing & Communications: In collaboration with key executives, design a vision and strategy for Ocean Conservancy’s marketing and communications (including roles, goals, and metrics) to support organizational objectives and build Ocean Conservancy’s brand. Develop and maintain strong executive partnership across functions to build cohesion, as well as fluency in conservation and fundraising priorities, to advance the mission overall. Define the brand, core attributes, value proposition, and organizational narrative of Ocean
Conservancy.

• Key qualifications:
  • History of leading marketing and communications campaigns to amplify missions/brands and advance influence and impact; advocacy experience a strong plus
  • Track record of creativity and innovation, particularly as related to the introduction and use of new and evolving digital platforms
  • Subject matter and platform expertise related to marketing, communications, and branding, and a track record of successfully leveraging a wide variety of strategies, platforms, and tools to advance an organization’s mission and work
  • Proven ability to lead organizational brand narrative work in collaboration with internal stakeholders
  • Experience working at the nexus of communications, marketing, brand-building, and fundraising

Expand External Recognition & Influence: Translate complex research and scientific findings into compelling storytelling to expand the reach and impact of the organization. Build upon the sense of urgency of this work to expand markets and engage new audiences, and deploy new advocacy tools to advance system level change. Generate earned media to amplify Ocean Conservancy’s work and impact. Incorporate justice and equity into external branding and communications

• Key qualifications:
  • An innovative and creative storyteller
  • Experience includes PR, strategic communications, digital (including digital fundraising and social media), marketing, branding, audience diversification, and crisis communications
  • History of leveraging strategic communications as a tool to amplify stories of impact and increase brand awareness, moving people and policy makers to action
  • Ethical and equitable storyteller, versed in non-exploitative practices to amplify an organization’s brand and work

Compensation

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected hiring ranges for each of its positions. Salary minimum is $192,816; salary midpoint is $241,020. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected hiring range.

Location

Washington, DC region strongly preferred; Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

How to Apply

This search is being managed by Axis Talent Partners, a talent strategy and executive search firm that partners with social impact organizations and centers equity and inclusivity in search. Interested candidates should apply, detailing their qualifications for the position and their interest in Ocean Conservancy’s mission to:
https://axistalentpartners.applytojob.com/apply/kJlRnYVj9r/Chief-Brand-And-Communications-Officer?source=ocean+conservancy+network 

Ocean Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer.