Director of Strategic Communications

We are on a mission to help solve humanity’s biggest challenges through the adoption of biomimicry (nature-inspired innovation) in education, culture, and industry.

For eons, nature has solved its problems with well-adapted designs, life-friendly chemistry, and smart material and energy use. We exist to shine a light on nature’s genius, and bridge pressing design challenges with proven biological strategies for a better future.

Our initiatives across education, innovation, inspiration, and systems change have empowered thousands with the tools and training necessary to create a healthier world, and to improve their lives in the process. To amplify our impact, we unite a global network of educators, innovators, changemakers, scientists, and others passionate about solving environmental and social challenges through nature-inspired design.

Note: The Biomimicry Institute is a fully remote organization. However, preferred candidates are from the states of California, Washington, Montana, New York or Pennsylvania.  

Job Purpose

The Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for elevating the Institute’s profile and influence through strategic communication, media relations, and brand management. This individual will develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies to amplify the Institute’s mission, managing a team of communication professionals, and overseeing the integration of innovative public relations techniques to engage new audiences and support organizational growth. The Director of Strategic Communications will develop strategic plans for the institute’s communication and amplification objectives, collaborate with leadership on evolving program and brand strategy, and oversee the expansion of the Institute’s presence across social media and global stages.

Essential Functions

Strategic Communications:

• In collaboration with the CEO and program leads, develop and implement a comprehensive communications and external affairs strategy, including defining short- and long-term goals and objectives to advance the Institute’s mission and broaden awareness of its programs, focusing on both stakeholder audiences as well as untapped potential audiences. 
• Collaborate with CEO and program Directors to refine and evolve the Institute’s brand strategy and messaging framework.
• Spearhead strategic initiatives to identify and engage untapped audiences, leveraging data-driven insights and innovative approaches.
• Working with the Director of Development, create and execute amplification campaigns, donor engagement strategies, and public events through the engagement of external partners and consultants
• Seek out revenue generating opportunities specific to communications (i.e. webinars, sponsored film spots, etc.)
• Organize and promote high-profile PR events and manage the editorial calendar for the planning and timely execution of all communications activities.
• Ensure cross-collaboration between communications and other departments and ensure that adequate support from communications is provided for priority projects and/or campaigns.
• Collaborate with leadership to promote positive internal communications that keep all staff members up-to-date and promote an integrated and collaborative environment.
• 25% of this role will be focused on the Design for Transformation program to deliver a comprehensive global narrative and storytelling program, working with external agencies, global partners and funders.

Public Relations:

• Champion the Institute’s brand, ensuring a strong and consistent presence both internally and externally.
• Manage the Institute’s social media strategy, driving audience growth and engagement, with a focus on increasing distribution channels and media contacts.
• Ensure consistency and impact in messaging across all digital content platforms.
• Lead media relations efforts, serving as the primary contact for media inquiries and managing publicity campaigns.
• Develop, update, and manage inventory of internal and external communications tools and platforms across organization.

Management:

• Develop and manage a communications budget, including forecasting requirements; coordinate creative services for communications materials; hire and support contractors, including managing work plans, providing feedback, and leading meetings.
• Oversee the production of key communication assets, including annual reports, development collateral, digital content, and media materials.

Manage direct reports by:

• Participate in the recruitment, selection and onboarding of new Communications employees.
• Look for ways to streamline communications operations and enhance team productivity.
• Communicating and setting clear job expectations
• Continually evaluate performance, culminating in an annual written performance evaluation. 
• Lead, mentor and support professional development of team.
• Assess team skills and provide training plans for skill/growth development.
• Creation of RPF’s for independent contractor services.
• Establish clear work order guidelines for marketing and PR consultants.
• Establish clear work order guidelines for contractors.
• Ensure completion of all stated objectives prior to invoice approval.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• BA in a related field and 10+ years of combined experience in communications, marketing and/or public relations. 
• Experience in brand management, media relations, and digital amplification of mission based programs a plus.
• Experience synthesizing and disseminating information through multiple distribution channels.
• Excellent working knowledge of the social media landscape, with an understanding of community activation and engagement.
• Excellent knowledge of biomimicry. If not trained in biomimicry, then must complete advanced training.
• Proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion:
• Ability to actively cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with coworkers, management, board members and clients.
• Employs anti-racist practices and principles to accomplish work.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Incorporates an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens into TBI programs.
• Teaches using equitable and inclusive pedagogy.

Skills/Abilities

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Biomimicry Institute.
• A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making. Keeps track of responsibilities and meets deadlines and goals.
• Adaptable—manages a constantly changing remote work environment; learns to collaborate with geographically dispersed new team members, etc.
• Clear, direct, and succinct writer. Strong editing skills, including an ability to write for a variety of audiences and channels.
• An eye for design, enough to effectively communicate vision.
• Comfortable learning and using the digital tools the Biomimicry Institute uses—with little to no assistance, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
• Self-sufficient—takes the initiative and completes work without undue supervision
• Strong communication and relationship building skills. Ensures every team member is given a chance to speak. Demonstrates the ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings (social sensitivity). Respectfully engages in disagreements. Keeps team members informed/updated. Is a good active listener who understands what’s being asked of them and the priorities of various tasks.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Activities that occur constantly are communicating effectively with others to exchange information; assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work; repeating motions efficiently that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers; prolonged periods of working at a computer; remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Activities that occur occasionally are moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another; adjusting or moving objects less than 50 pounds in all directions.

Work Environment (Remote)

• The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Duties are performed in a home workspace. Employees are expected to maintain their home workspace in  a safe manner, free from safety hazards.
• Flexibility to respond to various global time zones.
• May require up to 10-20% travel.

Compensation

• The salary for this position ranges from $90,000 - $110,000.
• Note to applicants from states with salary band posting requirements: Salary is determined based on internal equity; internal salary ranges; market data/ranges; applicant’s skills; prior relevant experience; degrees or certifications, etc. 

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email your resume and a cover letter.

**We encourage people of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Even if you don’t think you are a perfect fit, apply anyway - you might have qualifications we haven’t even thought of yet.**

The Biomimicry Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and consideration of all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or any other legally protected category.