DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director of Marketing

CLASSIFICATION: Professional 6

SALARY: $93,000 - $102,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Integrated Marketing

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: VP, Integrated Marketing

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORT(S): 2

LAST REVISED: June 2024

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Marketing is responsible for developing and implementing strategic marketing plans designed to engage new and existing audiences, support Defenders’ overarching brand awareness and education goals, and increase revenue. This is a hands on position that will lead a dynamic team charged with the creation of comprehensive marketing campaigns and supporting assets that clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and leadership of Defenders’ critical role in protecting wildlife and its habitat. This position requires a thorough knowledge of digital content strategy, social media, video, advertising, marketing and communications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategy for digital constituent discovery/engagement and increased brand awareness on behalf of Defenders’ through advocacy and marketing efforts including but not limited to advertising campaigns, search engine optimization (SEO), connected TV campaigns (CTV), public service announcements (PSAs) and other digital marketing strategies.

• Oversee Defenders’ website properties to support Defenders’ brand and engagement goals

• Develop and measure benchmarks for website performance;

• Address any functionality challenges and oversee staff web requests;

• Lead digital content asset development to enhance storytelling and visitor engagement and increase Defenders’ brand awareness.

• Direct strategy for Defenders’ social media channels, including but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

• Assess end to end engagement metrics and make strategic recommendations to achieve results (including identifying new content or channels needed).

• Identify opportunities to curate and promote Defenders’ multimedia content (videos, blogs, web-stories, events, webpages, and other storytelling vehicles) to both educate our followers and showcase the depth and breadth of our work.

• Use available tools to optimize our content, providing strategies and tactics to improve our engagement, brand awareness and fundraising performance.

• Manage Defenders’ president and CEO social media including LinkedIn.

• Monitor similar pages to ensure best practices and identify evolving opportunities;

• Utilize digital content to amplify the thought leadership of the president and CEO;

• Support organizational efforts to increase the CEO’s leadership reputation.

• Oversee social media partnerships including but not limited to influencer and celebrity engagement, to broaden Defenders’ reach and brand awareness; identify new tools and trends to support our efforts and reach a broader and more diverse constituency

• Oversee the execution of Defenders’ marketing strategy and direct team members, including direct reports, in supporting that strategy

• Provide resources and support;

• Guide efforts to strategically promote content across social media channels;

• Ensure all content shared is aligned with Defenders’ perspective and business rules;

• Promote Defenders’ programs to showcase Defenders’ work;

• Develop targeted ads to amplify actions for program priorities;

• Support approved Defenders’ coalition engagements, including but not limited to creating and distributing coalition toolkits; day-of-action promotion and other widespread awareness campaigns.

• Develop and support program/advacy sposnosrhip opportuniteis

• Seek out new partnerships to expand Defenders’ audiences in support of our diversity and inclusion goals.

• Ensure compliance with data privacy, event and coalition protocols;

• Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice strategies in line with Strategic Goal #2.

• Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of marketing professionals, ensuring high performance and professional growth.

• Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.

• Provide clear direction and set measurable goals for team members.

  Analytics and Key Performance Reporting

• Monitor and report on content performance against strategic goals and develop roadmaps to tackle opportunities and problem areas.

• Track key performance indicators (KPI’s);

• Understand, leverage and update Defenders’ social media audience personas

• Report regularly on the performance of campaigns, targeted ads and initiatives, and identify digital communications and community trends.

• Perform all other work related duties as assigned

  QUALIFICATIONS

  Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

  Experience: 10 years; 5 years supervisory experience

  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

• Personal interest in and commitment to conservation;

• Ability and willingness to model the tenets of Defenders’ Commitment Statement: Mission, Transparency, Respect & Trust, Appreciation, Empowerment & Accountability, Professional Growth, Fairness, Diversity, Safety, Work/Life Balance, and Pride;

• Ability to approach work in a collaborative and inclusive style, with a solutions-oriented manner;

• Ability to work independently as needed, problem solve, and exercise sound decision- making skills in fluid environments to meet job expectations and achieve goals in an accurate and timely manner;

• Ability to represent Defenders to external entities and the public in a professional manner while exercising tact, diplomacy, and discretion;

• Demonstrates a willingness and ability to productively engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives;

• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders, in both verbal and written forms;

• Ability to effectively navigate through change and maintain flexibility;

• Ability to effectively address and manage conflict;

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word.

  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 6

  Administrative

• Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records

• Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

  Communication

• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely

• Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies

• Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments

• Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

  Critical Thinking

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion

• Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner

• Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.

• Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work

• Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments

• Strategic thinker with the ability to take high-level strategy and translate into relatable points and action steps.

  Project Management

• Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments

• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests

• Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues

• Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment

• Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues

• Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion

  Coalition and Community Engagement

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and /or the general public.

• Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate policy issues impacting wildlife and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.

• Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.

  Conservation Knowledge (if applicable)

• Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ legal, scientific, and/or political issues

• Expert-level knowledge of national and regional social, political, and ecological landscapes

  Leadership and Management (if applicable)

• Ability to foster a team culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement

• Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders’ mission

• Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities

• Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level

• Working knowledge of Defenders’ business and people systems and processes

• Ability to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and high-functioning environment

• Ability to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in team/department-level decisions

• Ability to manage employee conflict and resolve escalations in an inclusive and healthy manner

• Ability to effectively lead and manage change

• Ability to develop staff to their highest capabilities, through delegation, coaching, empowerment, and professional growth opportunities

• Ability to provide effective feedback in real-time

• Ability to create and implement team/department strategies in support of Defenders’ Strategic Plan

  Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director of Marketing

• Strong writing, editing and content development skills, specifically in online environment

• Proficiency in social media tools and techniques and marketing

• Understand social media’s correlation to marketing, strategic messaging, public relations, and its impact on community cultivation

• Willingness to experiment and innovate

  PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  Physical Activities

  Check all that apply

  Frequency

  (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

  Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

  N

  Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

  N

  Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

  C

  Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

  N

  Adjusting or moving objects up to __ pounds in all directions.

  N

  Communicating with others to exchange information.

  C

  Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

  C

  Operating machinery and/or power tools.

  N

  Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

  N

  Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

  C

  Environmental Conditions

  Check all that apply

  Frequency

  (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

  Low temperatures.

  High temperatures.

  Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

  Noisy environments.

  Hazardous conditions.

  Poor ventilation.

  Small and/or enclosed spaces.

  No adverse environmental conditions expected.

  X

  Physical Demands

  Check only one

  Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

  X

  Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

  Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

  Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

  Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

  All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

  Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

  Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

  Please be advised this position is NON union-eligible.