The Wilderness Society is the leading American public-lands conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Backed by more than 500,000 members and supporters, TWS has led the effort to permanently protect 110 million acres of wilderness. Since our founding in 1935, TWS has been at the forefront of nearly every major public lands victory and has profoundly improved the way our public lands are managed and enjoyed.

TWS does this by promoting designation of the wildest portions as wilderness, the highest form of land protection in this country, and ensuring careful conservation management of surrounding lands by the federal land management agencies and the American public.

To achieve its long-term goals, TWS has committed itself to building a geographically broad and diverse base of support far beyond the traditional environmental community. In addition to educating and activating an assortment of grassroots constituencies drawn from every demographic group, the organization is dedicated to developing highly effective and strategic alliances with local communities, non-traditional partner groups, and political leaders from across the spectrum who will help move forward a strong land protection agenda.

The Society accomplishes its mission through advocacy on Capitol Hill and with the federal agencies, research and analysis, public education and outreach, and coalition building. Its goals include a better-informed and more actively engaged public; more vigilant legislators and public land managers; more effective laws, regulations and land management practices; an enhanced understanding of the consequences of various land-use strategies and decisions; and increased protection for all wilderness resources.

Job Description/Major Responsibilities:

The Senior Director for Conservation Communications provides organization-wide leadership for all communications efforts in conservation advocacy, outreach, and constituency-building, reporting directly to the VP for Communications.

This work includes the following major responsibilities:

Develop and lead a team of 12-15 conservation communications staffpersons who are spread across the country. Assure effective structure and functions of the Conservation Communications unit, including staff roles and relationships, operations, mentoring and supervision, and inter-staff communications.
Develop, with staff, communications strategies (both defensive and pro-active) for TWS conservation initiatives that focus on organizational priorities, national as well as place-based campaigns, and an increased diversity and strength of support for conservation of wild lands.
Lead staff to ensure that conservation messaging is strategic, effective, timely, and consistent across all communications platforms. Establish and/or maintain mechanisms for coordination necessary for this to take place.
Integrate conservation communications closely with other TWS departments and programs, increasing the effectiveness of TWS science, policy, and place-based efforts.
Assure forward-thinking planning and innovative use of media towards maximizing conservation communications impacts, including use of electronic communications and social media. Work closely with the website team to appropriately integrate electronic communications into conservation communications.
Participate as a senior communicator in handling breaking news and developing conservation communications messages and materials.
Develop and manage annual plans and budgets, with staff, for applicable communications efforts.
Assist Development staff in raising funds for staffing and operations of conservation communications.
Initiate and maintain excellent working relationships with key members of the media nationwide, and facilitate optimal conservation staff access to media;
Engage importantly in broader departmental and organizational identity initiatives.

The position is stimulating, central to the success of TWS advocacy and constituency-building, and offers the opportunity to lead and fuel creativity.

Qualifications and Attributes

The ideal candidate has significant experience in advocacy, campaign, environment, and political communications work, outstanding strategic instincts, ability to organize and lead a team of committed professional communicators, and management of diverse programmatic processes, issues, and media. Knowledge of legislative process/public affairs is essential, as well as understanding of public participation in public lands conservation. Ability to lead strategic development of communications programs, personnel, resource allocations, and relationships is key.

Candidates should be agile at handling multiple issues and processes simultaneously, enjoy and be adept at working in teams, and have a good sense of humor.

Candidates should have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a (preferably) related field and 5 years relevant experience. The position is located in Washington, DC, though some travel is required.

At TWS, we advocate for and protect the rich variety of life, values and experiences that wild places provide; as an organization we are equally committed to honoring diversity in our staff and creating an inclusive work environment.

Consider becoming a member of our team by sending your resume and cover letter to: Staffing@TWS.org with the words "Senior Director, Conservation Communications" in the subject line.