Director of Communication and Policy, American Forest Foundation – Washington, DC
Organization: American Forest Foundation
Position Title: Director of Communication and Policy
Location: Washington, DC
Hours: Full-time
Application Deadline: Position open until filled
Description: Reporting to the Executive Vice President, American Tree Farm System, Woodlands, and Policy, the Director, Communications and Policy leads the development and execution of a vibrant and effective, multi-channel communications strategy to assist AFF’s Woodland Team in accomplishing its priorities, focused on targeted external audiences, and evaluates its impact on such audiences. He or she is responsible for identifying and marketing the value of the brands of AFF, focusing on AFF’s woodland-related programs including the American Tree Farm System to engage external audiences in Foundation activities and priorities.
The Director also facilitates effective relationships with targeted media contacts to advance the Foundation’s woodland-related priorities and provides ongoing professional communications support to AFF’s Woodland programs, when aimed at external audiences. In addition, he or she serves as the main liaison with public relations agencies and supervises/evaluates their performance.
On the policy side, the Director develops and implements political strategies, in collaboration with the Executive Vice President and the Senior Policy Manager, on a set of assigned woodland policy issues, to accomplish the organization’s public policy goals, using multiple channels including direct lobbying, “grassroots” advocacy, and strategic “grasstops” leadership development. This also includes establishingand maintaining a presence on Capitol Hill, building relationships with key congressional officials and committee staff, and with federal agencies, relevant to assigned policy issues.
Finally, the Director works with Development and Program staff to create and implement a communications strategy with sufficient brand power to attract new revenue from targeted funders and donors.
Responsibilities: The new Director, Communications and Policy will demonstrate a clear passion for the AFF mission by actively engaging a variety of constituents—coworkers, business and community leaders, donors, board members, volunteers, policymakers, and the general public. The high-potential candidate will be driven to effect positive change by thinking critically and analytically to accomplish clearly identified goals, and translate his/her ideas and insights into coherent action plans.
This role requires an individual who can collaborate with other team members, and model independent initiative and resiliency. The successful candidate is enthused by managing multiple priorities, and can coordinate the steps necessary to produce meaningful results, including managing deadlines and budgets accordingly. The ideal candidate demonstrates leadership capabilities that create a unified and structured environment for an eager team of staff members and volunteers.
Strong candidates will have existing relationships with media contacts and know how to build upon these relationships, and have previous exposure to the policy issues surrounding conservation, forestry, and environmental stewardship. Experience with successful branding and selecting and managing external consultants is desirable.
KEY ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS:
Collaborative team player and confident leader
Highly developed organization and time management skills
Self-starter and problem solver with a sense of urgency
Flexible and willing to adapt based on what is learned through experience
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a wide array of constituencies
Strategic and organized planner, adept at anticipating deadlines
Self-aware and perceptive of sensitive or confidential issues
PRIORITES
Get Familiar with AFF — In the short term, the new Director will work to fully understand AFF’s existing woodland brands, quickly become conversant regarding AFF’s woodland work, and position the organization to effectively tell the story of the value of that work to a variety of audiences. Communications Strategy—In conjunction with AFF Development and Program staff, the new Director will lead the effort to develop and execute a comprehensive and consistent communications strategy with focused messaging for different audiences including donors, the media, and high level policy makers among others.
AFF Policy Work — The new Director will quickly become conversant with AFF’s existing policy work, take on leadership of one or two specific issues, and play a continuing leadership role across the entire policy campaign. This will include utilizing multiple political channels such as direct lobbying, coalitions, “grassroots” advocacy, and “grasstops” efforts to accomplish the organization’s goals.
Relationship Building — The new Director will gain a comprehensive understanding of key influencers in the media, on Capitol Hill, in the community, among volunteers and long-term supporters, and within the organization.
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, public relations, political science, or a related field is necessary; an advanced degree is preferred.
Five to seven years of related experience and supervisory experience required ideally with significant exposure to communications, public relations, media relations, government relations, and policy advocacy.
Must be proficient on an IBM-PC, the Microsoft Office Suite, and have experience with database applications.
How to Apply: All interested candidates are encouraged to apply. To be considered, please submit a carefully crafted cover letter and resume at candidates.waldronhr.com. Cover letters should be addressed to Ed Rogan. Interviews are ongoing
