Director of Marketing &Communications - Africa Region at Nature Conservancy

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Director of Marketing and Communications sets direction and leads a team of four non-co-located staff and a portfolio of contractors to implement initiatives that will advance the objectives of the region’s policy and fundraising teams, and contribute to the organization’s global brand goals. These initiatives build influence, increase engagement, and help achieve revenue goals. The position requires both a strategic and inspiring leader, and a hands-on doer. They will work closely with and manage relationships with other marketing and communications staff within the organization globally, ensuring alignment and tailoring global marketing priorities for regional key audiences, as well as executive leaders in conservation, operations, science, legal, fundraising and other functions.

Essential Functions

The Director of Marketing and Communications sets direction and leads a team of four non-co-located staff and a portfolio of contractors to implement initiatives that will advance the objectives of the region’s policy and fundraising teams, and contribute to the organization’s global brand goals. These initiatives build influence, increase engagement, and help achieve revenue goals. The position requires both a strategic and inspiring leader, and a hands-on doer. They will work closely with and manage relationships with other marketing and communications staff within the organization globally, ensuring alignment and tailoring global marketing priorities for regional key audiences, as well as executive leaders in conservation, operations, science, legal, fundraising and other functions.

Responsibilities And Scope

• Design, lead and help implement integrated promotions (including media, social media, print, digital, video, photography) to grow the organization’s influence in Africa and help drive fundraising for our work in Africa.
• Develop, plan, and monitor the strategic vision for how Africa’s marketing and communications activities support TNC’s mission and 2030 goals, in alignment with the Global Marketing and Communications strategy.
• Through internal and external research, identify audiences that are essential for achieving the organization’s goals, and messaging that will resonate and move them to take action, such as advocacy and allocation of private or public funds.
• Design, oversee and help implement a thought leadership strategy to shape the conversation around nature-based solutions among government and private sector audiences.
• Lead efforts to grow the digital presence of the Africa program (TNC’s main website, TNC Africa’s social media channels) and build a robust community of African social media followers.
• Oversee development of best-in-class communications and marketing assets, including print materials and digital content.
• Build a network of new relationships (corporate and media partners, communications leads of partner organizations, influencers) and strengthen existing relationships to expand the reach and impact of our message.
• Work collaboratively with other organizational departments (e.g., marketing and communications, philanthropy, membership, conservation) to ensure optimal representation of TNC­ Africa in global TNC campaigns.
• Drive brand influence through innovative strategies tied to external, high-profile events, such as COP events, which may include collaborations with partner NGOs and creative agencies.
• Expand the portfolio of trusted freelance experts in key markets to grow the team’s capability to communicate with locally resonant strategies and messages.
• Develop and oversee new relationships with PR and marketing agencies in key markets to design and implement campaigns that contribute to global and regional objectives.
• Develop and manage the region’s marketing and communications budget, evaluate results and develop corrective strategies as needed.
• Advise on decisions to commit resources for programs or initiatives in a way that has organization wide impact and affects public image.
• Review and build capacity of regional staffing each year to ensure a continued career development for all grade levels.
• Must be willing to work in variable weather conditions, remote locations, hazardous terrain, and physically demanding circumstances.
• Typically requires 25% travel domestically and internationally. (Currently limited to domestic travel due to COVID-19 related restrictions.)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and minimum 10 years related work experience in Africa, including at least 5 years’ experience at a senior management level.
• Experience in conceiving and executing brand-building campaigns and strategic communications initiatives in Africa.
• Experience leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team or complex program.
• Experience cultivating and managing relationships with senior-level executives, Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and/or external marketing contacts.
• Experience with writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience managing and planning departmental budgets.
• Experience working with and managing non-co-located staff across differing time zones.

Desired Qualifications

• A passion for conserving nature and improving lives in Africa.
• Experience fostering an environment of creativity and professional growth.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred; demonstrates an innate interest in and focus on diversity, equity and inclusion geared toward a multilingual audience.
• Multilingual skills appreciated.
• Demonstrated ability to optimize limited budgets and small teams.
• Extensive management experience, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, manage performance, and help with conflict resolution on a multi-disciplinary team across multiple business units.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with the ability to collaborate and thrive in a complex, multi-team environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate staff in other time zones and to engage in global virtual internal events.