Communications Director, Political Affairs

Environmental Defense Fund; Washington; Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund is seeking a Communications Director, Political Affairs, to design and execute strategic campaigns that advance EDF’s federal priorities. The role leads messaging, media outreach, digital programs, and coalition collaboration to maximize impact across national and regional arenas.

The position emphasizes exceptional writing, cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced, policy-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ marketing/communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context; environmental experience is a plus.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for policymaker and civil society audiences.
• The ability to lead, manage and mentor staff and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project, time management and organizational skills.
• Independent problem-solving and crisis communications skills.
• Proven ability to use sophisticated public affairs strategies to achieve policy goals.
• Solid record of producing media coverage in international, national, and diverse outlets.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Political Affairs team, develops and coordinates national, regional, or localized communication plans and goals with key messages on EDF’s highest-priority issue areas.
• Manages the tempo of advocacy efforts to maintain momentum for maximum impact.
• Creates message platforms and tailors them into talking points, speeches, op-eds, and media materials for diverse audiences.
• Develops and executes a digital program strategy to promote messaging and content online.
• Manages a two-person team and collaborates with brand-level digital teams on political messaging.
• Develops and manages paid media across digital, television and other platforms.

Skills

Marketing/Communications

Exceptional writing

Leadership

Project management

Crisis communications

Public affairs strategy

Collaboration

Job description

Location

This is a hybrid position (2-3 days/week) based out of our Washington, D.C. office.

Duration

This is a one-year fixed term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Overall Function

The Communications Director, PoliticalAffairsis responsible forthe design and execution of strategic communications campaigns that support and further the goals of EDF’s priority issues, particularly at the federal level.

The CommunicationsDirectorwill develop communications strategies and tactics for impact and manage them to completion in the necessarytimeframe, including media outreach, digital strategies, online and in-person events, and message development. This role also will work in collaboration with other environmental and conservation groups to advance shared goals,facilitatestrategic development amongst coalition partners, leadassessmentand evaluation of the communications work of coalition partners, and oversee management of external public relations and marketing consultants.

This position requires exceptional writing skills; strong collaboration skills, organization, and diplomacy; a keen interest in political and environmental issues; and an ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously on a wide range of issues. An ideal candidate would have experience executing public affairs campaigns.

Thedirectorreports to the Associate Vice President,Communications,PoliticalAffairs,andworks closely with theVice President,Politicaland GovernmentAffairs.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Political Affairs team, developsand coordinatesnational, regional, or localized communication plans, strategies,and goals with key messages on EDF’s highest-priority issue areas.

• Manages the tempo of specific advocacy efforts to keep and build momentum for maximum impact.

• Creates message platforms and tailors them into talking points, speeches, op-eds, news releases, blogs, media pitches, storynarrativesand other materials for audiences in countries where weoperate.

• Developsand executesoverarchingstrategyofadigital program to promote messaging and content,ultimately improvingthe performance and reach ofpolitical andpolicy content online.

• Managesa two-person team.

• Collaborateswithbrand-level digital team on political messaging and content.

• Develops and manages paid media, including digital,televisionand other platforms.

• Develops partnerships with media to amplify our messages andbrand.

• Maintains,cultivatesand owns relationships with agenda-setting media and reporters covering our topics.

• Monitors media andidentifiesopportunities to insert EDF messages into the news on a systematic basis, including pitching news stories, editorials,op-edsand blogs;identifyopportunities to arrange desk-side and other briefings for media.

• Manages PR/communications agency support, assessing agencyexpertiseand managing agency teams for excellence.

• Prepares program staff with training,adviceand support forcommunicationsopportunities.

• Partners with the membership team to activate EDF’s online community to gain support for top priority issues.

• Partners with Community Engagement and Justice & Equity teams to ensure diversity in advocacy and storytelling.

• Works closely with the AVP,Communications,PoliticalAffairsin cultivating a positive, diverse, and welcoming culture within a geographically dispersed team and ensuring effective staff and project coordination and leading by example.

• Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

• Coordinates closely on communications strategy withadvocacycoalition partners and other environmental organizations.

• Manages external communications consultants and vendors as needed.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ marketing/communications experience, preferably in a political or issue advocacy context; environmental experience is a plus.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills forpolicymakerand civil society audiences.

• The ability to lead, manage and mentor staff and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent project, timemanagementand organizational skills.

• Independent problem-solving and crisiscommunicationsskills.

• Proven ability to use sophisticated public affairs strategies to achieve policy goals.

• Solid record of producing media coverage in international, national, and diverse outlets.

• Extensiveproficiencyin strategic use of social and digital media.

• Ability to work occasional non-standard hours, across time zones with a geographically dispersed team.

• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

128,000 - 138,000 USD