Head of Communication and Marketing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC)

Position Overview:

The Head of Communication and Marketing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a key role focused on leading strategic communication and marketing initiatives to enhance the organization's profile and support its conservation efforts. The incumbent will spearhead innovative strategies to tell Ol Pejeta's story, increase awareness of its work, and mobilize support for conservation. This involves overseeing a team dedicated to creating integrated campaigns that engage diverse audiences, strengthen the brand, and contribute significantly to the organization’s growth and impact. The role demands a visionary approach, leveraging both traditional and digital platforms for impactful storytelling and content, aimed at elevating Ol Pejeta's global presence in wildlife conservation and community empowerment

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement an all-encompassing communications and marketing strategy that aligns with the organization's conservation goals and fundamental values.
• Provide visionary leadership to the communications and marketing teams, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and effective execution.
• Contribute to the organization's overall efforts by actively collecting and disseminating information and input from the various communication platforms.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function including budgeting, planning, and staff development.

The Ol Pejeta Brand and Internal Communication:

• Support the establishment of, and sustain a robust and consistent brand identity for the organization across all communication channels.
• Oversee appropriate use of brand guidelines as needed and ensure that all communication materials and activities adhere to them.
• Raise and maintain the visibility of the Ol Pejeta brand across local and international media.
• Manage and monitor the reputation of the organization with its various stakeholders.
• Handle crisis communication effectively and transparently, protecting the reputation of the organization in collaboration with the leadership team and Chief Executive Officer.
• Develop and manage internal communication strategies, channels, and content to ensure robust employee participation and secure feedback mechanisms.

External Communication, Public Relations, and Marketing Outreach:

• In collaboration with the relevant teams, develop and supervise the implementation of communication plans that engage stakeholders, such as donors, partners, government agencies, the media, and the public.
• Cultivate relationships with media agencies and journalists to promote favorable coverage of the organization's initiatives locally and globally.
• Support the team to source, manage and coordinate film crews and photographers to elevate the brand and mission of the organization, reaching new and existing fundraising target audiences.
• Conceive and direct marketing campaigns that increase awareness of the organization's conservation efforts and encourage donor support, membership, and participation.
• Collaborate with pertinent teams to develop compelling content for digital and traditional marketing channels, including social media, the website, newsletters, and printed materials.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with Ol Pejeta teams to amplify visibility of our work and showcase the impact on projects supported by corporate partners, donors, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and implement strategies for engaging and cultivating a robust community of advocates and supporters.
• Work with the fundraising team to incorporate fundraising initiatives into communication and marketing initiatives.
• Support the fundraising and relevant teams to formulate strategies for communicating the impact of donor contributions while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Team Management:

• Recruit, lead, mentor, and manage a diverse team of professionals in communication and marketing.
• Provide direction, establish performance objectives, and conduct routine evaluations to ensure the growth and success of the team.
• Introduce best practices and refine existing processes and procedures to increase the Communications and Marketing department's capacity to proactively satisfy the communications-related needs of Ol Pejeta programs, the Board, and other departments.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Utilize data-driven insights to measure the effectiveness of communication and marketing efforts.
• Prepare regular reports that showcase the impact of campaigns, engagement metrics, and areas for improvement.
• Package reports for critical stakeholders in collaboration with responsible departments.

Resource Mobilization:

• Design and execute communication strategies to support fundraising goals, including crafting compelling narratives and using storytelling to highlight the impact of Ol Pejeta's conservation efforts in fundraising materials and donor communications.
• Utilize digital marketing and social media platforms to promote fundraising campaigns, engage potential donors, and analyze the effectiveness of these strategies to optimize future efforts.
• Collaborate with the resource mobilization team to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms, reinforcing the Ol Pejeta brand in all fundraising activities, and creating engaging multimedia content to attract and inform donors.
• Foster media relationships for fundraising visibility and provide communication support for donor events, ensuring high-quality presentation materials and effective event communication strategies.
• Develop and implement comprehensive communications, marketing, and sales strategies to promote Ol Pejeta Conservancy as a top-tier tourist destination.
• Craft compelling messaging and content across various channels, including digital platforms, print media, and events, to highlight the conservation and tourism experiences offered by Ol Pejeta.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including conservationists, guides, and hospitality staff, to gather insights and create engaging narratives that resonate with target audiences.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelors or master’s degree in communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field. Additional qualifications in conservation or environmental studies are a plus.
• Proven experience (7+ years) in strategic communication and marketing roles, preferably within the non-profit or conservation sector.
• Strong interest and understanding of conservation issues, sustainability, and environmental concerns.
• Extensive experience in planning, writing, editing, and production of newsletters, press releases, annual reports and other marketing documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of newsroom operations and dynamics as well as knowledge of the global, regional and local media landscape
• Proficiency in digital marketing, social media platforms, content management systems, and data analytics tools.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing teams and collaborating cross-functionally.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of developing innovative campaigns that capture attention, resonate with audiences, and effectively convey the organization's conservation message.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at various levels and different geographies and multi-cultural settings.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.