A responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Director of Communications DEPT: Development

REPORTS TO: Chief of External Affairs STATUS: Full time, Exempt

GRADE: 109 SALARY RANGE: $125 - $140K

WORLD LEADER IN CONSERVATION:

The Catalina Island Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to be an exemplary steward of
island resources through a balance of conservation, education, and recreation. We preserve and restore the
environment on Catalina, promoting and modeling ecologically sustainable communities to create a healthier future
for this Island and our Earth.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Chief of External Affairs, the Director of Communications is responsible for leading the day-to-
day management of the Communications program at Catalina Island Conservancy. The position will be working in
partnership with the Chief of External Affairs and the Leadership Team and managing a small team of employees
and consultants responsible for communications, marketing, digital branding, and external communications.

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a proven track record of setting strategy, establishing priorities,
and ensuring follow-through to achieve organizational goals. This role requires a visionary thinker who can
translate complex ideas into actionable plans, inspire and lead a diverse team, and drive performance to deliver
exceptional results.

The position ensures that the Catalina Island Conservancy editorial strategies, messaging, and branding are
understood and adhered to in all work produced by the organization. The successful candidate will possess
excellent persuasive writing and communication skills, superior project management acumen, and be a proactive
builder of relationships.

This role is considered hybrid remote; based out of the Long Beach office, with two days expected in office
weekly and frequent boat travel to Catalina Island.



BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1972, the Catalina Island Conservancy, one of California’s oldest and largest private land trusts, opens
its wildlands for the public to enjoy in many ways. Just off the densely populated Southern California coast, Catalina
Island is home to approximately 4,000 year-round residents and more than 60 endemic species of plants and animals
found nowhere else on Earth. The Catalina Island Conservancy protects 88 percent of Catalina Island’s
approximately 48,000 acres. Conservancy staff guide Island ecosystem recovery with the goal of generating a
resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem with no endangered forms of life. The Conservancy offers recreational
experiences and educational programs for not only the 300,000 annual visitors who choose to spend time in the
Island’s wildlands, but also inspires nearly 1.4 million visitors to other parts of the Island. The Conservancy

provides access to Catalina Island’s wildlands with nearly 165 miles of recreational roads and trails, and 62 miles of
unspoiled beaches and coves for camping, biking, hiking, touring, and more.

A TIMELESS PLACE, AN ENDLESS PURPOSE: TURNING VISION INTO ACTION:

The Conservancy’s five-year strategic plan, A Timeless Place, an Endless Purpose: Turning Vision into Action, details
the visions, actions, and indicators of success that will fulfill its mission to be an exemplary steward of Island resources
through a balance of conservation, education, and recreation. It focuses on realizing five major visions, the first of
which is completion of the Catalina Island Restoration Project, which involves the removal of non-native mule deer
and the restoration of native flora and fauna at the landscape level.

CAMPAIGN:
The Conservancy is planning and preparing for the implementation of a major, multiyear comprehensive fundraising
campaign, anchored in the Island Restoration Project to include strategic priorities in education, conservation, and
recreation. The Conservancy is currently engaging consultants and partners in developing a brand identity for the
campaign, which seeks to increase overall giving and grow membership substantially.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

This position must have a superb ability to develop and implement consistent content and editorial strategies that
meet and exceed objectives across the organization, and has a passion for the mission of conservation, education,
and recreation. It requires proven experience in a leadership role, with a track record of setting and achieving
strategic goals. The Director regularly reports on progress toward set goals, along with analysis and results of
projects based in the program. The Director must be a brilliant strategist and creative communications professional
with at least 7-10 years of experience in internal and external communications. Believing that brand is embedded
in people and the work they do together and the organizations that advance missions, the Director will be a results-
oriented change maker, integrated marketing, public relations, and communications leader, focused on internal
brand messaging, including executive messaging, and an agile problem solver.

A successful candidate will possess experience with Crisis Communications, experience with environmental,
conservation, climate, outdoor and recreation, travel journalism, and/or experiential learning. Preference for
candidates with national and international experience in pitching stories and developing content. Experience in
coaching and prepping staff for media interviews and on-camera appearances. Experience overseeing social media
strategy and content creation is essential.

This position partners closely with the Chief of External Affairs and the President & CEO of the organization. The
successful candidate will be a proven manager of broad-based and personalized communications in multiple
platforms, including print, digital, and video. In leading the Communications and Marketing team, this role will
inspire and guide the team to develop, execute, and measure successful communications program plans. The role
also includes the management and development of senior staff and team members. Working closely with the Chief
of External Affairs, the Communications Director monitors budgets, implements systems, procedures, and
practices for the communications department. The Director of Communications supports fundraising success by
crafting persuasive and accurate communications. The role provides leadership for the team and the organization
overall, with communications aimed at a broad external audience base.

The Director of Communications also supports and executes the vision of the President & CEO by supporting the
articulation of thought and position papers, speeches, and articles, along with executing against branding,
marketing, and media platform objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES & CAPABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Serve as project manager (traffic control) responsible for coordinating and managing the development of all

creation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Strategic communications
• Brand development
• Internal and executive communications
• Public communications
• Public relations and positioning
• Media relations
• Brand management and awareness
• Crisis communications
• Marketing
• Copywriting
• Content creation
• Publications and collateral development
• Audience research
• Website management
• Campaign development

DEMANDS: