Director, MethaneSAT Marketing and Communications

Duration

This is a three-year fixed term position with full benefits and the possibility of extension.

Location

This position may be based remotely within the U.S. or hybrid out of any U.S. EDF office.

Overall Function

The position will play a leading role in the development and implementation of a global strategic communications initiative to maximize the impact and visibility of the MethaneSAT satellite mission, establishing our team as the worldwide go-to resource for data, insight and expertise on methane emissions – not only from our instrument, but across the remote methane sensing ecosystem. The role will manage the flow of results from the MethaneSAT data pipeline to the public and target audience verticals via earned and social media, thought leadership platforms, and direct engagement at conferences and events.

The position will be embedded in the MethaneSAT team, working with scientific, product, and policy experts from both MethaneSAT and Environmental Defense Fund and our core mission partners to identify and contextualize newsworthy stories as they emerge in the data and establish a routine cadence of standard data packages for constituencies that follow MethaneSAT on an ongoing basis.

This position requires an understanding of and keen interest in the energy and climate space, and the ability to manage multiple projects at once across distributed teams that are working in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Knowledge and experience with key audience segments is a strong plus (these include policy makers; oil & gas industry; energy investors; the scientific community; and NGO/advocacy organizations).

The Director, MethaneSAT Marketing and Communications is a strategic and creative thinker with a proven ability to turn complex scientific and technical information into compelling and persuasive content tailored to meet a variety of audience interests and levels of expertise in order to advance mission objectives. They will also have a demonstrated ability to develop and execute communications strategies that influence government and industry decision making. This role will work closely with MethaneSAT experts; EDF methane science and remote sensing teams; and the policy, industry and financial professionals on the EDF Global Methane Campaign, as well as a team of communicators across global regions. The Director, MethaneSAT Marketing and Communications, will report to the Associate Vice President, Global Media Unit.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with MarCom and MethaneSAT leaders, create and implement an overall marketing and communications strategy that maximizes the impact of the MethaneSAT mission.
• Cultivate media coverage of key data stories from the satellite and milestones across the full spectrum of U.S. and global platforms (news, science, policy, business, trade outlets, podcasts, etc.). This includes both breaking news and deep-dive data stories, along with features and profiles.
• Identify and maintain relationships with key media. Plan and execute press briefings, one-on-ones and in-person meetings with media and other influential voices.
• Responsible for working with the AVP of Global Media Unit to develop talking points, messaging and master narrative.
• Participate in advancing EDF Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.
• Lead collaboration with data production, data access, and advocacy teams to identify and activate an audience pipeline for regularized reporting and data products.
• Work with science, advocacy and technical teams to lead development of a list of key industry, scientific and technical conferences/events, supporting staff in speaking and other on-site engagements.
• With EDF global methane advocacy and science mission teams, lead identification of strategic needs and opportunities to shape key conversations for MethaneSAT.
• Develop comprehensive quarterly communications plans covering all of the above and prepare summaries and analysis of the results.
• Partner with in-house photo/video and graphics specialists to create strong narrative visual assets for use across multiple platforms; coordinate as needed with outside graphics partners.
• Drive specialized, high-level engagement with relevant scientific communities, and work with mission team to develop core group of top-tier scientific experts for high-level engagement.
• Manage and produce commentary/analyses/explainer pieces for LinkedIn and other platforms. Develop editorial calendar for MethaneSAT content.
• Advise mission leaders on global communications strategies and tactics – both in real-time and in longer term planning – to effectively drive mission goals.
• Closely coordinate with other communications colleagues across EDF to ensure alignment and cross-pollination of ideas, strategies and messaging.
• With the executive and senior communications leadership teams, manage crisis communications for MethaneSAT; help maintain risk matrix.
• Help oversee all social media elements including support for our experts’ accounts and coordination with EDF’s Digital Marketing Team across other EDF profiles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field with at least 10 years of marketing, communications, media or relevant experience; advanced degree in relevant field may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience involving the intersection of science and technology with policy/public affairs and issue advocacy is highly preferred.
• Media experience on energy and environment required.
• Superb communications strategy, writing, and editing skills.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Proven ability to use communications as a tool to achieve policy goals.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent collaborator with a proven inclusive approach to work and content creation; experience producing or managing visual content a plus.
• Proven leadership, team management and mentoring skills.
• Experience pitching and developing strong relationships with top tier media, and strong track record of producing national media coverage.
• Experience providing creative communications support and strategy to multiple internal project teams simultaneously.
• Experience building a public platform for leaders within an organization.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Budgeting and strategic planning experience.
• Commitment to the mission of MethaneSAT and Environmental Defense Fund.