Every human life on Earth depends on a natural world capable of supporting our needs. But we are taking more from nature than it can replace, weakening the Earth’s ability to provide the clean air, fresh water and food we depend on. Conservation International leads influential teams—governments, industries and community leaders—who design and implement large-scale economic and policy changes that restore the balance between human consumption and nature’s production. In order to be successful in its mission, Conservation International must be a well-known and trusted brand. The incumbent will be instrumental in increasing CI’s visibility and brand awareness especially with the highest levels of government, industry, multi-laterals, associations, etc. that are in a position to change the global development paradigm and the strategic publics that may influence their decision-making. The Senior Vice President (SVP) is a key position within Conservation International. S/he reports to the CEO and Chairman of the Board and leads a division of approximately 30 staff members and an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million. Working in an international context, the SVP will formulate a strategic marketing and communications vision and plan, which will be implemented through a variety of innovative strategies designed to increase CI’s visibility among key stakeholders and advance CI’s mission. S/he is our brand leader, overseeing global efforts to refine and promote CI’s identity across communications platforms and ensuring the quality, impact and consistency of messaging through our web sites, social media, publications, press releases, fundraising and policy events, presentations, speeches, videos and other multimedia. S/he will lead external and internal communications programs to support key business objectives, including raising funds for the communications function and for CI broadly, and will utilize new media, including emerging social media platforms, to reach and engage existing and new audiences. S/he will also serve as CI’s main point person for crisis communications. The SVP will develop and execute a plan to increase awareness in strategic sectors of society and to influence key decision makers in support CI’s efforts to build healthy sustainable economies as we believe that healthy ecosystems are at the building blocks of flourishing societies and economies. Working cooperatively with senior staff and communications professionals around the globe, the SVP will help us understand how to best influence these audiences, what arguments and examples to use, and how to communicate them. S/he will also demonstrate a consistent, creative vision, be enthusiastic about problem solving and employ innovative, entrepreneurial strategies to support the design and integrated implementation of marketing campaigns and communication partnerships. Specific responsibilities include: Strategy: - Set marketing and communications vision and high level objectives to enable the organization and the division to achieve CI's organizational goals.
- Identify appropriate audiences to drive general brand awareness and donor engagement. Work with other senior leaders to identify key audiences, corporations, governments, multi-laterals, heads of state, etc. that CI would like to influence and/or have as partners.
- Work with other senior leaders and program communicators to align all communications to ensure an integrated approach to CI's global marketing and communications worldwide that reinforces CI’s brand value and reflects its initiatives and campaigns as appropriate to local conditions and specific HQ program needs.
Strategy Implementation: - Identify strategic marketing partners and opportunities, and lead the implementation of marketing plans, in both traditional and non-traditional arenas that lead to increased brand awareness.
- Ensure external and internal communications -- from CI’s web presence, social and new media engagement, events, publications, video products and other communications tools are first in class and effective to influence, persuade and communicate key messages, as well as achieve fundraising and other organizational goals.
- Conduct market research to help CI better understand and define relevant and compelling messages and to measure the success of its marketing and communications initiatives.
- Through solid strategic judgment and swift assessment of issues, lead the organization’s proactive and reactive position on minor to major public relations issues, including crisis communications.
Fundraising and Partnerships: - Collaborate with other senior leaders in the development of relationships with partners in the public and private sector that are key to CI’s success.
- Develop the tools and resources necessary to support CI’s fundraising initiatives and to raise funds from all variety of sources – public and private.
- Ensure adequate support of our marketing and communications efforts through in-kind or outright donations and pro bono services.
- Serve as staff liaison for the CI Board on matters related to marketing, branding and communications.
- Develop partnerships with creative agencies, media companies, key press and social media influencers, and others as appropriate to deliver on objectives.
People and Program Management: - Oversee division staff, budgets, programs & projects. Ensure fiscal oversight of the division’s budgets.
- Align staff efforts toward overall objectives and manage performance.
- Measure the effectiveness of communications efforts and adapt accordingly.
- Represent the division on CI Leadership and other senior-level committees responsible for decisions affecting the institution.
- Build the network and capacity of all CI communicators, including programmatic focused communicators in Arlington-based and field programs, in collaboration with relevant division heads.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: - Advanced degree in business, marketing, communications, journalism or related field and a minimum 15 years experience in progressive management/leadership level positions in marketing or communications (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- International experience developing and implementing branding and communications programs and strategies and systems to support a multi-million dollar, multi-location global organization.
- Experience developing an overall strategic marketing plan, with the primary goal of influencing key audiences and decision makers.
- Proven ability to sell ideas and gain support (financial, pro bono, or business) from potential partners and donors.
- Demonstrated insight and knowledge of emerging areas and social media.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including effective presentation and negotiation skills
- Extensive professional experience in public speaking and writing for publication
- Demonstrated ability to increase membership or customer base via web and social media tools
- Ability to create innovative strategies, partnerships and programs without existing models
- Proven ability to formulate and execute results utilizing strong analytical, critical decision-making and strategic planning skills
- Ability to analyze and recommend improvements to processes, procedures and systems
- Strong interpersonal skills, presence and ability to effectively build strong relationships both internally and externally
- Capability to interact effectively with senior executives, celebrities, corporate leaders, heads of state and other non-governmental organizations
- Proven ability to lead, engage, and collaborate with individuals across various disciplines, cultures and backgrounds to achieve shared goals
- Demonstrated ability in staff supervision and coaching, and building successful teams
- A reputation for high ethical standards and integrity
- Passion for international nature conservation and sustainable development, and an ability to engage with public and private leaders to address environmental problems and promote CI’s mission
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: - Energetic, collaborative and proactive
- Entrepreneurial and dynamic thought leader
- Highly adaptive and able to work well in high stress situations
- Stature and confidence to gain the credibility, respect and buy-in for a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
WORKING CONDITIONS: - Frequent travel (>25%) to domestic and international locations
- Availability to deal with pressing business, emergencies, and unanticipated crises or opportunities that may arise related to CI’s institutional needs or management, including outside of normal office hours
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