Senior Director, Communications, Pristine Seas (Science & Innovation)

Reporting to the Executive Director of Pristine Seas, and working in close collaboration with the Deputy to the Chief Marketing, Brand and Communications Officer & Vice President, Strategic Communications, the Senior Director, Communications, Pristine Seas will lead the global strategic communications planning and execution for the Pristine Seas program. As a senior member of the Pristine Seas team, this person serves as a key internal leader for the Pristine Seas program’s vision, strategy, and values.
The National Geographic Society’s Science & Innovation Division oversees the Society’s grantmaking efforts in science, conservation and technology, develops and manages major mission programs, and establishes programmatic partnerships with like-minded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Over the last 14 years, Pristine Seas, National Geographic’s flagship ocean conservation program, has helped to inspire the protection of 26 of the last wild places in the ocean, encompassing more than 6 million square kilometers of ocean.
The Senior Director, Communications, Pristine Seas will also work closely with the Society’s Communications Division. The Communications Division uses creative and strategic tools to further the mission of the National Geographic Society (NGS), while maintaining our place as one of the world’s most trusted non-profit organizations and global brands. The team’s creative minds develop and execute mission-driven, on-brand and strategic communications, marketing, creative and impact media for the NGS and amplify this content on our own channels, across National Geographic Partners (NGP) and through outside partners and earned media. The team is composed of five integrated departments: Engagement and Marketing Strategy, Brand and Creative, Strategic Communications, Executive Communications, and Content and Editorial.
The successful candidate will have excellent oral and verbal communications skills and demonstrate a deep knowledge of best practices in strategic communications.

• In partnership with the Executive Director of Pristine Seas and the Deputy to the Chief Marketing, Brand and Communications Officer & Vice President, Strategic Communications, co-develop and execute a strategic communications plan for Pristine Seas that raises awareness of the program with targeted audiences and demonstrates how its work is building on the global effort to protect 30 percent of the planet by 2030
• Develop and oversee annual Pristine Seas communications budget
• Direct and oversee the work of a public relations agency and outside vendors providing communications support
• Help shape the Society’s integrated communications and marketing plan by providing strategic counsel based on the Pristine Seas communications plan
• Lead partnership with government relations, internal and external programmatic and media teams to develop strategies to increase the visibility of Pristine Seas across key stakeholders in the international policy community, scientific and conservation communities, academia and other targeted audiences
• In coordination with Pristine Seas expeditions, execute targeted, regional communications campaigns (including earned media, social media and stakeholder engagement) to elevate with program’s work and collaboration with local communities
• Working closely with the Society’s Communications and Advancement divisions, ensure communications strategies appropriately recognize the program’s funders

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists in international and regional media outlets — including those outlets focused on or covering conservation, the environment and public policy — to secure earned media opportunities about Pristine Seas’ work
• Act as a spokesperson and representative of Pristine Seas in media and public-facing events and engagements
• Execute an earned media strategy for Pristine Seas that includes high-quality placements with international and regional media outlets to raise awareness of Pristine Seas’ work

• Direct and oversee the management of a consistent messaging platform, including the development of messaging toolkits to ensure Pristine Seas team members, ambassadors, stakeholders and collaborators are well equipped to deliver the program’s impact messaging
• Ensures all Pristine Seas communications content has a cohesive tone and style across platforms including social media, web content and email newsletters
• Lead the development of targeted messaging based on Pristine Seas expeditions, international visibility opportunities and conferences, and recognition for the program’s funders
• Develop and refine messaging for Pristine Seas that articulates the program’s vision, successes and overall narrative, including impact metrics and anecdotes, as well as proof points for strategies, tools and collaborations embraced by the program that are helping inspire protection of 30 percent of the planet by 2030
• Overseas the drafting and development of media materials, including press releases, press statements, op-eds, talking points and memos related to programmatic priorities
• Ensure alignment between the Pristine Seas messaging, the overall Society messaging framework and the Society’s strategy plan (NG Next)

• Work collaboratively across the Communications Division to ensure alignment and coordination on Pristine Seas communications, including (but not limited to) web strategy and content, social media engagement, editorial strategy with Disney/National Geographic Media, executive communications, and fundraising communications
• Serve as a Pristine Seas communications resource, adviser, and thought partner for the Society’s constituencies
• Develop collaborative and consultative relationships with constituencies, departments, and programs across the Society
• Liaise with collaborators from across the Society on communications campaigns and initiatives focused on the organization’s impact work and/or ocean focus area
• In collaboration with the Communications Division, provide advice and counsel on general communications and communications strategy

• Experience working in diverse teams and coalitions, and creating equitable and inclusive environments, with an ability to build strong, trusting relationships that include seeking and adapting to perspectives from all parties
• Knowledge of effective social media tools, technologies and best practices in strategic communications
• 10+ years of experience, including experience designing and implementing a strategic communications plan and targeted communications campaigns
• Strong abilities in writing and editing, including knowledge of AP Style

• Established media relationships at local, national and international media outlets covering conserversation, the environment and/or public policy
• Excellent media pitching experience and skills
• Deep experience working across sectors to help achieve conservation outcomes
• Must be able to deliver both pragmatic and professional judgements to a range of groups, balance the needs of multiple priorities at any given time
• Ability to adapt and flex to changes in circumstances
• The ability to build trust and relationships with staff at all levels of the organization
• Strong understanding of relationship and interplays between media, government and policy audiences
• A collaborative spirit, who is effective at engaging with stakeholders and collaborators with good judgment

• Proven experience related to science, conservation and/or exploration is a strong plus
• Experience working in a public relations agency and/or managing a public relations agency
• Proven ability to deliver global, policy-oriented communications campaign

Remote - Our Remote designation continues to require that staff work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their duties or personal circumstances, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.