Communications Director, Restoration
World Resources Institute, Washington, DC, United States
This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.
About the Program:
WRI's Restoration program helps catalyze the restoration of forests, farmland and ecosystems. Our goal is to help restore ecosystem function, economic productivity, livelihoods and hope. The Restoration program is a flagship initiative of the Food, Land and Water program at WRI and works with governments, grassroots community organizations, entrepreneurs and international partners to inspire, enable, and implement restoration on degraded landscapes, returning them to economic and environmental productivity.
Alongside partners, WRI has identified more than two billion hectares of cleared and degraded forest and agricultural lands suitable for restoration - an area roughly twice the size of China. Using this data as a foundation, we work to promote restoration of degraded lands back into natural forests, agroforestry systems, or productive agriculture. Our programmatic work centers on ensuring that restoration practitioners have access to technical assistance, financing, enabling policies and robust monitoring systems. Embracing forest and landscape restoration will allow for a world in which the amount of forest cover grows while the productivity of existing agricultural land increases. Join us in shaping an inspiring, sustainable future across Africa, Brazil, India, and beyond
Job Highlight:
Reporting to Director, Forest Restoration Initiative, you will integrate equity into your work. You will develop and execute strategies that establish WRI as a global leader in landscape restoration. Leading a small communications team, you'll translate complex research and data into compelling content that shows how restoration, conservation, and sustainable production can work together to transform landscapes. You will drive media engagement, cultivate strategic media partnerships, and strengthen our brand identity across platforms and regions.
Working closely with WRI's Restoration Director and a network of 120+ experts, you'll demonstrate restoration's critical role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and equity challenges worldwide. This role will employ both strategic thinking and hands-on content creation to advance WRI's mission and engage diverse audiences, from local communities to global policy makers.
What will you do:
Strategic Leadership (40%): -
- Develop and implement a global communication strategy that aligns with WRI's broader restoration objectives and enhances its reputation as a restoration leader
- Design and streamline branding strategies to ensure coherence across WRI's restoration products and services
- Create a comprehensive digital outreach strategy to disseminate restoration data and insights effectively
- Conduct stakeholder and audience mapping to inform communication strategies
- Collaborate across WRI's programs, offices, and Core Communications team to integrate restoration into broader narratives on nature-based solutions, carbon offsets, and sustainable landscapes
- Manage communications risks for the Restoration team, especially through media strategy
- Ensure WRI's restoration data, research, and insights reach diverse global audiences through strategic comms and media
- Collaborate with researchers and external experts to shape public opinion and influence policy on land restoration and climate adaptation
- Lead media engagement efforts, including crafting strategies, pitching stories, and responding to media inquiries
- Develop partnerships to promote data-driven journalism and elevate reporting on land restoration issues
- Oversee quality and consistency across all communication materials, including social media, blog posts, op-eds, speeches, and newsletters
- Lead communications support for the Restoration Director, including speech writing, presentation development, and social media strategy. Develop executive messaging that aligns with WRI's broader restoration narrative
- Manage the Director's public presence through LinkedIn and other professional platforms
- Craft talking points and briefing materials for external events and speaking engagements
- Supervise and mentor a small team of communications professionals, managing workflow and capacity
- Track performance metrics to evaluate the impact of communication activities and ensure continuous improvement
- Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, and implementation of communication initiatives
- Education: You have a completed BA or BS degree in a relevant field. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
- Experience: You have a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in communications, with a focus on climate change or natural resource management.
- Experience working internationally and cross-culturally
- Experience in designing and implementing communication strategies with measurable outcomes
- Experience demonstrating strong project management skills, including team leadership, budget management, and strategy development
- Ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
- Extensive media relations experience with global media titles and a robust network within relevant sectors. African media experience is a major plus
- Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English. Fluency in any of WRI's other core languages is a bonus (French, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.)
- Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required portfolio and cover letter by the date of 10 January 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.
We are unable to consider your application without a portfolio and cover letter in addition to your resume.
You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
- Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
- The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
- The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
- Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
- Generous leave days that increase with tenure
- Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution
About Us:
Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world's greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people's lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
Our mission and values:
WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.
Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.
Our culture:
WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.