Position Summary: The Director of Communications oversees both internal and external communications and works closely across NACD’s policy, education and member services teams on strategic communications priorities and to ensure successful delivery of NACD’s style, brand and marketing. Manages project portfolio and grants deliverables with dynamic team of staff and contractors. Interacts with members of the media and other partners to communicate conservation district priorities and successes to targeted audiences and the general public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct the association’s communication and outreach efforts, ensuring that messages conveyed are clear, concise and consistent
• Develop and implement strategies to expand NACD’s presence and thought leadership through publications, articles, and partnerships with external stakeholders
• Manage all NACD publications, including The Resource, eResource, Conservation Clips, Forestry Notes and the annual report
• Oversee management of NACD website content at nacdnet.org
• Establish and maintain relationships with media, pitch stories and track coverage
• Write and distribute news releases regarding NACD actions and positions as appropriate
• Coordinate content across programs to develop messages and materials about NACD and conservation districts’ priorities, activities and successes for a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Provide public speaking, media relations and member outreach training to national leaders
• Carries out tasks of managing, coordinating and implementing grant-related activities pertaining to specific national grants and cooperative agreements
• Assist with planning, promotion and production of meetings, including session and speaker identification, media outreach, scripting and event production
• Manage budgeting and expenses related to communications activities
• Serve as lead staff advisor to NACD Communications Committee
• Perform any and all related duties in coordination with the CPO that advance the mission and purpose of NACD
• Advance NACD’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals; also ensure that NACD’s communications are reflective of our DEI principles
• Supervise three FTEs

Skills/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least five years’ experience in marketing, media relations, communications, or journalism
• Understanding of developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategy including print, digital and social media
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences
• Proven experience with media relations
• Strong writing and editing skills, ability to communicate with various audiences
• Skilled at working with a variety of software and media platforms
• Experience with supervising and guiding staff
• Knowledge of conservation, agriculture, and food systems is a plus

Location: This position is located in Washington, D.C. and will report to the Chief Program Officer. Currently, NACD is operating on a hybrid working schedule with two days in office and three days working from home. 

To apply: Email resume, cover letter and two writing samples to the attention of NACD HR with ‘Director of Communication’ in the subject line to hr@nacdnet.org no later than Friday, July 24, 2022 to receive priority consideration.