Director Of Internal Communications

Arlington, Virginia, USA

This position is based at TNC's home office in Arlington, VA. A flexible hybrid schedule is available. The selected candidate should anticipate the need to develop modes of working with colleagues in multiple time zones.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

The Director of Internal Communications is responsible for managing and implementing strategic internal communications aligned with top organizational priorities and leadership goals. They will work in collaboration with leadership and colleagues from around the organization to support the delivery of TNC’s 2030 Goals.

The Director leads a team of Internal Communications professionals and will have broad management / strategic / financial oversight into the performance and direction of the team which is responsible for implementing the strategy, and providing essential counsel and tools to teams and colleagues around the Conservancy to manage their own team communications, ensuring that staff are informed, engaged and inspired about our Mission.

The Director also provides crucial counsel in times of crisis and in rapid response situations, ensuring that due consideration is given to a wide range of employee needs and expectations. They will work closely with executive leaders during high-pressure and sometimes sensitive situations to provide guidance and direct support. The role is responsible for managing a community of practice of internal communicators across the organization, who play a key role in increasing connectivity, efficiency and regional engagement.

The role requires collaboration with colleagues in the marketing division as well as across other functions to ensure support for all staff. They will build a strong network of advocates and allies throughout the organization to ensure diverse perspectives inform all internal communications strategies and stories. Occasional travel will be required for things like business meetings, events, team retreats, or professional development. The work location is our TNC office in Arlington, VA. Flexible hybrid scheduling is available.

As Director of Internal Communications, you will:

• Determine the strategy for high profile All Staff events for the CEO and Executive Leaders and oversee their execution by the Internal Communications team.
• Collaborates with the office of the CEO to develop and execute a leadership communications strategy, providing strategic counsel and support for members of the Executive Leadership Team to build staff engagement.
• Actively manage team budget, evaluating results and developing corrective strategies as needed, and provide input to departmental budget process.
• Partner with leaders to achieve alignment and act with agency and autonomy to deliver on agreed internal communications strategies.
• Design and direct complex and diversified projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, and ensuring program accountability.
• Decisions can commit resources for programs or initiatives in a way that has organization wide impact.
• Lead a network of professionals around TNC who have internal communications in their role, to keep them up to date on developments, opportunities and upcoming priorities.
• Build a culture of recognition and celebration in partnership with the Employee Relations & Engagement team.
• Ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are reflected in all internal communications strategies across TNC.
• Carry responsibility and accountability for meeting KPIs aligned with organization and divisional strategic goals and objectives.
• Develop and execute the internal communications strategy to inspire and engage staff in accomplishing TNC’s organizational priorities.
• Provide team vision and leadership to ensure effective collaboration performing to plan and priority programs.
• Manage a team of fulltime staff and be accountable for guiding team contributions to organizational objectives and their professional development objectives.

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe In, where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience leading, organizing, and directing complex projects. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

The ideal candidate will have all or some of these qualifications – if you don’t have all of them, apply anyway and tell us about your skills and experience:

• Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
• Proven success in building and maintaining long-term relationships with partners, vendors, board members, and senior leaders both internal and external.
• Senior level experience in communications field.
• Master’s degree or extensive professional experience.
• Familiarity with communication technologies and best practices.
• Extensive management experience including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, manage performance and help with conflict resolution on a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent writing, presentation, communication, mediation and negotiation skills.
• Experience developing communication and engagement strategies and evaluating effectiveness of communications.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
• Experience and/or understanding of communication best practices at a decentralized organization.
• Proven ability in managing the fiduciary aspects of planning and delivery of annual budgets.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience cultivating and managing relationships with senior level executives as well as internal and external clients and vendors. Experience developing and leading complex projects or programs including financial responsibility and measuring results of strategic plans and programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of 10 years’ related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including at least 3 years’ experience at a senior management level.
• Experience developing organization-wide internal communications strategies for leadership and measuring results.
• Experience managing multiple staff and dispersed teams with an emphasis on producing top tier contributions while maintaining flexibility and work/life balance and fostering an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Experience designing, directing and implementing multiple projects.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

To apply for job ID 53859, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.