Senior Director, Marketing and Strategic Communications

Job Summary

Required Qualifications

• •At least 14 years of progressive experience in marketing, strategic communications, media relations, or public affairs, with demonstrated outcomes at the organizational or enterprise level.
• •At least 7 years in a leadership role managing and developing a communications team.
• •At least 5 years in a marketing leadership role, independently responsible for a large brand.
• •Demonstrated experience building or significantly evolving communications systems, processes, and team structures in a growing or transitioning organization.
• •Track record of translating complex, technical, or research-based content into compelling narratives for diverse audiences including policymakers, funders, media, corporate leaders, and communities.
• •Experience owning departmental budgets, workforce planning, vendor portfolios, and resourcing strategy.
• •Experience with media strategy at the national or international level, including earned media, spokesperson preparation, and crisis communications.
• •Experience advising executive leadership or serving in an executive-level communications advisory capacity.
• •Working knowledge of how to apply AI tools for strategic advantage in communications and marketing, paired with sound judgment about their ethical use, including accuracy, attribution, and protection of the Pacific Institute's research credibility and organizational voice.
• •Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Policy, or a related field.
• •Outstanding writing and editing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences and formats.
• •Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable setting direction and rolling up their sleeves to execute.
• •Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage competing demands, make decisions with confidence and transparency, and advocate for the marketing and communications functions at the executive level.
• •Deep understanding of digital communications, social media strategy, website management, email marketing, content management systems, and analytics platforms.
• •Experience with brand management, visual identity, organizational positioning, and marketing infrastructure development.
• •Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, inclusive approach to leadership.
• •Comfort operating in a remote-first environment with a globally distributed team.
• •Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in both internal team practices and external communications.
• •Remote (must reside within the United States)
• •Travel: Domestic and occasional international travel required, including overnight stays (up to 15%)

Desired Qualifications

• •Advanced degree preferred but not required. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• •Experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic, or mission-driven sector, with an understanding of resource constraints, funder accountability, and values-driven organizational culture.
• •Familiarity with water, climate, environmental sustainability, or natural resource policy issues.
• •Experience communicating with diverse audiences including vulnerable communities, elected officials, corporations, community leaders, and the public.
• •Experience translating program and organizational impact data into compelling external narratives and cross-functional brand storytelling for funders, partners, and the public.
• •Experience managing communications for organizations undergoing growth, transition, or structural change.
• •Fluency in other languages.
• •Experience working with international organizations, multilateral institutions, or global sustainability networks.