The Bloomberg Ocean Fund is recruiting a Strategic Communications Lead who will advance communications and media efforts in support of the Fund’s partnership with the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and its other partners. The Bloomberg Ocean Initiative is Bloomberg Philanthropies’ effort to protect the world’s oceans – and the communities who depend on them – from the long-term impacts of climate change, and the more immediate threats of pollution and overfishing. The Lead will drive the development and implementation of a robust strategic advocacy communications plan in support of the Fund and its overarching goal to advance meaningful contributions to the global effort to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30).

The Bloomberg Ocean Fund (Fund) is responsible for delivering on the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative goals and specializes in strategy development, partner coordination, and regranting in target geographies. The Fund is embedded within Oceans 5, the leading international ocean funder collaborative and a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA).

Purpose of role

The primary responsibility of the Strategic Communications Lead is to drive the overarching 30x30 campaign communications narrative and tell the story of the Fund’s and its partners’ wins on marine protection, fishing transparency, coral conservation, and sustainable fisheries. The Lead will develop a strategic advocacy communications plan in partnership with Bloomberg Ocean Initiative staff and partners. The plan will support policy and advocacy goals through engagement with traditional media, social media, partner websites, podcasts, and other outlets.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic advocacy communications plan, including promotion of the Fund’s 30x30, transparency, coral conservation, and sustainable fisheries priorities across traditional media, social media, podcasts, and other platforms.
• Create and manage the development of original content and coordinate with partners and Bloomberg Ocean Initiative staff across a variety of platforms, including current and emerging channels.
• Manage targeted media relations for the Fund and its partners, including proactive outreach to reporters on issue priorities and grantee partner efforts.
• Serve as the Fund’s principal communications contact in partnership with Bloomberg Ocean Initiative staff.
• Identify and manage consultants and organizations to deliver targeted communications to advance national and regional campaigns.
• Develop, manage, and implement the communications budget for the Fund.
• Develop and manage communications contracts and agreements.
• Coordinate with Bloomberg Ocean Initiative staff on media relations for, and management of, production of events, live and virtual.
• Lead efforts to assess the impact of the Fund’s communications strategies.

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.  

Skills & experience (mandatory)

• Significant experience leading strategic communications in campaign-based organizations.
• Sophisticated writing, editing, public relations, and communications skills.
• Significant experience working with journalists as part of strategic media relations and working with social media platforms.
• Keen organizational skills and experience prioritizing multiple tasks within a fast-paced organization.
• Highest standards of ethics and integrity, with a history of working in environments that require discretion and confidentiality.

Skills & experience (preferred)

• Experience developing and implementing a strategic communications plan in a complex organization and across multiple geographies.
• Demonstrated skills in multi-stakeholder engagement, coordination and collaboration.
• Experience managing contracts with vendors.
• Experience working on international environmental and/or climate issues, including at least one of the areas of focus for the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative.
• Experience communicating scientific information to public audiences and decision-makers.
• Experience in policy communications or advocacy at various levels of government.
• An existing network of journalist contacts.
• Spanish or French language skills.
• Willingness to travel.

Special knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including persuasive presentation and public speaking.
• Understanding of the international ocean and/or climate fields.
• Understand the potential of philanthropy to support winning global, national and local strategies.

Location:  US or EU (remote)

Reporting to: Director, Program Delivery

Manages:  No direct reports             

Working hours:  Full or part-time

Candidate level:  Experienced non manager

Please send a letter of application stating the skills and approach that you would bring to the post with your CV/resume (no photos) in strict confidence by email only to: Emma Adams at (see email below)

Please ensure they are sent as Word documents with the titles “your name cover letter” and “your name CV” Please put “Bloomberg – Strategic Communications Lead” in the email subject line. Also please let us know where you saw the post advertised.

The deadline for application is Sunday 9th July 2023

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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.