Senior Communications Manager, Ending Ocean Plastics

Bonsai Leadership Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Flexible/hybrid work

Job summary

Ocean Conservancy is seeking a Senior Communications Manager for Ending Ocean Plastics to shape communications strategy and translate policy and science into clear, newsworthy messaging.

You will lead earned media, advise leaders, manage projects with vendors, and represent the organization at national and international events, with travel up to 15% and a hybrid work arrangement in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of experience in media, PR, or strategic communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead communications for Ending Ocean Plastics across state, federal, and international policy.

Skills

Media relations

Earned media

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

English writing

Policy communication

Project management

Storytelling

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Cision

Muck Rack

Critical Mention

Job description

Senior Communications Manager, Ending Ocean Plastics
Ocean Conservancy

Bonsai Leadership Group is honored to partner with Ocean Conservancy in its search for a Senior Communications Manager, Ending Ocean Plastics.

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, Ocean Conservancy continues to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates, and supporters through its comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, Ocean Conservancy is securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. Learn more about Ocean Conservancy at www.oceanconservancy.org .

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Communications Manager, Ending Ocean Plastics (Senior Manager Communications) will lead communications strategy for Ocean Conservancy's Ending Ocean Plastics program, one of the organization's largest and most public-facing bodies of work. Serving as a strategic communications advisor and thought partner to policy, science, and organizational leaders, this person will shape communications strategy, identify compelling stories, and translate complex policy and scientific work into clear, impactful, and newsworthy communications.

The portfolio includes state, federal, and international policy work, Ocean Conservancy's plastics science portfolio, and the International Coastal Cleanup®.

The Senior Communications Manager reports to the Director of Communications as a member of the Strategic Communications department and will also support their department colleagues with other institutional PR and strategic communications efforts as necessary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead communications for Ocean Conservancy’s Ending Ocean Plastics pillar at large, including state, federal, and international plastics policy; the International Coastal Cleanup; and the plastics science portfolio.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor and thought partnerto policy, science, and other subject-matter experts, providing clear recommendations on communications strategy, messaging, timing, and media engagement while building strong, collaborative working relationships.
• Proactively identify and create earned media opportunitiesthat elevate Ocean Conservancy's plastics policy, science, and thought leadership, including developing compelling news hooks around issues that may not already be receiving significant media attention.
• Develop, draft, and edit a range of communications materials, including pitches, talking points, press releases, statements, op-eds, letters to the editor, remarks, blogs, reports, and other content, ensuring clear, consistent, and effective messaging across audiences.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with reporters, editors, producers, and other media contacts who cover plastics, the environment, science, policy, and related issues.
• Executive rapid responses when plastic pollution or related topics are in the news, helping to position Ocean Conservancy as a timely, credible, and trusted voice.
• Maintain communications readiness and support crisis communications, exercising sound judgment in fast-moving or sensitive situations.
• Represent Ocean Conservancy at major national and international conferences, policy gatherings, media opportunities, and organizational events, including supporting spokespeople and cultivating relationships with journalists.
• Design, assign, and manage projects with consultants, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, artists, and other vendors.
• Support other Ending Ocean Plastics and institution-wide communications efforts as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in media, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, or a related field, preferably involving complex policy, scientific, environmental, public-interest, or other technical issues.
• Proven track record of securing earned media placements across multiple formats, including broadcast, print, digital, op-eds, quotes, and other media opportunities.
• Demonstrated creativity, strong news judgment, and an enterprising approach to communications, with the ability to identify and develop compelling storytelling opportunities.
• Exceptional English writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications.
• Demonstrated ability and intellectual curiosity to engage with complex scientific, technical, and policy material, ask thoughtful questions of subject-matter experts, and translate that information into compelling stories for media and public audiences.
• Sound communications judgment, including the confidence to provide clear recommendations to senior colleagues and subject-matter experts and to navigate differing perspectives effectively.
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, produce high-quality work quickly, and exercise judgment about when speed is essential and when additional precision or review is required.
• Highly proactive and resourceful, with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, develop ideas, and move work forward with appropriate independence.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and perspectives in support of Ocean Conservancy’s evidence-based, nonpartisan approach.
• Familiarity with media databases, monitoring platforms, and communications tools such as Cision, Muck Rack, Critical Mention, or comparable platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Graphic design and/or video editing experience is a plus.

TRAVEL

Up to 15% of your time will be spent traveling for national and international events.

LOCATION

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work structure that requires employees to reside in one of the following US states: AK, CA, DC (preferred), FL, MD, OR, VA, TX, WA, or WV. This structure allows staff the flexibility to work virtually and in person while building strong connections across the institution.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected starting salary range for this role is $90,000 - $100,000 annually. In addition, Ocean Conservancy offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurancefor employees, spouses (both same sex and opposite sex), domestic partner, and dependent children (effective day one of employment)
• Short- and Long-Term Disability(free for employee)
• BasicLife Insurance(free for employee)
• Healthcare and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Retirement Planning- 100% vested upon hire; can begin contributing at hire. After 1 year, Ocean Conservancy will open a401(a) accountfor you and will contribute 6% of your monthly salary whether you participate in the 403(b) or not.
• 15 paid vacation days, 11 holidays, 12 sick days, and two personal days

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Ocean Conservancy encourages applicants with diverse levels and ranges of relevant skills and experience to apply. A 100% match is not required. Ocean Conservancy wants to support employees’ career growth, and in return, its employees help it grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.