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Director of Public Relations
Maynard, MA
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Job Description
Director of Public Relations
Job Title: Director of Public Relations
Reports to: Director of Marketing & Communications
Department: Marketing & Communications
Status: Full time, salaried, exempt
Position Summary:
The Director of Public Relations is responsible for generating positive publicity for all programs
within Earthwatch US in order to raise the profile of Earthwatch, tap new markets, and build
relationships of trust and mutual respect with reporters, producers, and partners. The goal is to
increase the number of volunteers, members and donors and make Earthwatch accessible and
appealing to a much larger audience. Earthwatch is dedicated to reaching more people across
North America with compelling news about the organization and its mission and results. The
ideal candidate will have a background in publicizing scientists and their work, promoting
conservation, promoting events and TV programs, planning press conferences and screenings,
and in-depth knowledge of the travel and/or science markets.
General Responsibilities:
• Cultivates strong media relationships across broad constituencies
• Generates interesting and well written articles according to an overall communications
strategy; gains coverage in targeted press according to deadlines
• Coordinates with other Earthwatch offices on PR initiatives and international PR plans to
ensure sharing of relevant stories and consistency of communications
• Plans and manages annual US PR budget
• Maintains and oversees execution of monthly PR plan, working with UK office to
coordinate efforts
• Promotes high-profile Earthwatch events, providing talking points and advance and
follow-up coverage, as well as assisting at the events
• Implements long-term visibility campaigns such as celebrating anniversaries, and special
annual media
• Infuses web site and publications with fresh story ideas
• Serves as point person for all inquiries regarding TV, Radio, documentary or film
producers
• Supervises any PR staff, including interns, and manages all relationships with corporate
or other PR agencies
Specific Responsibilities:
Expedition Recruitment
Raises awareness of the retail portfolio across the US, in order to attract and recruit volunteers.
• Builds relationships with targeted editors and journalists to promote retail program
• Manages and develops PR to support sales team for exhibitions, fairs and travel shows
• Manages and implements annual expedition guide launch PR plan
• Plans and coordinates annual press trip schedule for writers and photographers
Engagement Program
Works with Engagement team to publicize specific fellowship programs (e.g., when employees,
scientists, teachers or students are given fully funded placements to participate in an Earthwatch
expedition)
• Generates PR plan for major fellowship programs according to budget; circulating
releases to local and national press, and to fellows’ organization before the project
• Assists with generating press interest in returning fellows and their community action
plans
Corporate Partnerships
Works with the corporate partnerships team to promote Earthwatch’s role as a bridge between the
corporate sector and the environmental movement, educating companies about the environment
and enabling them to play a role in conservation.
• Develops relationships with corporate partners PR teams and manages specific PR
programs for corporate sponsors
• Drives and supports all communications efforts related to corporate partnership
initiatives, events, and programs
• Builds beneficial relationships with targeted journalists and editors, including expedition
visits
Climate Change Program
Plays a lead role in the Climate Change program for the Americas and supervise the PR &
Communications Officer
• Works in close coordination with the funder’s PR agencies and Regional Offices
to maximize PR potential of the program
• Takes responsibility as main ‘point person’ with the Communications and
Learning person in the Brazil and US regional field centers in order to generate maximum
publicity at both a global and local level for the program
Research
Works with the research department to promote Earthwatch as a credible scientific organization,
highlighting the achievements of Earthwatch scientists, and attracting new researchers for the
future.
• Promote Earthwatch’s capacity building and educational programs
• Endorse Earthwatch’s scientific credentials using past research successes and scientists
testimonies
• Identify profile building and networking opportunities and events within science, NGO
and academic communities
• Research and develop relationships with science and educational media
Qualifications/Skills:
• BA in Communications, Marketing or Journalism
• Proven track record of at least 10 years in broadcast and/or print placement
• Active media contacts suitable for Earthwatch placement
• Ability to craft effective press releases, web features, and Talking Points
• Experience generating successful pitch ideas
• Experience in damage control
• Experience working with scientists and translating academic language into lay language
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, manage time, and galvanize a team effort
• Experience organizing press conferences, major events, and media screenings
• Experience or in-depth knowledge of NPOs in conservation field
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines, often within very tight timeframes
• Exceptional attention-to-detail and organizational skills
• Video skills: experience producing b-roll, clips for events, PSAs and travel videos
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Experience Required
5 plus years exp.
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Last Update
February 20, 2008
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