Communications Specialist - Private Sector Engagement

Job Description

Major Functions

Serves as a critical support function for communications for the WWF Plastic & Material Science team within the Private Sector Engagement (PSE) department, focused on corporate and policy action towards our goal of No Plastic in Nature. Specifically, helps implement external communications for this issue in WWF’s one-on-one corporate partnerships, advocacy campaigns, and global implementation initiatives. This role requires close collaboration with internal and external partners, including availability for synchronized work and real-time engagement, as well as in-person support for meetings, events, and communications activities as needed. As part of the PSE communications team, contributes to the broader communications strategy that engages with WWF’s major corporate to inspire and motivate business audiences to take on the mantle of corporate leadership. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute communication workplans to position WWF as a leader in the plastics issue area by reaching numerous audiences, including business, policy (global, federal, and state level), development community, and WWF’s members and supporters in collaboration with Director, Communications. Works with PSE and media and external affairs staff and Plastic and Material Science workstream leads to support timely and coordinated communications and ensure accurate and consistent campaigns. Finalizes communications materials with media and external affairs staff and ensures legal approval. 
• Serves as communications support for WWF’s corporate partners and global implementation partners to develop and implement communications plans related to the issue of plastic pollution, working collaboratively and engaging with partners in real time to coordinate communications activities, address time-sensitive needs, and support effective implementation. 
• Maintains and updates WWF’s Plastics Initiative webpages to ensure accurate, timely, and relevant content.  
• Supports development of materials and provide in-person communications support to aide in speaking engagements, including but not limited to pitch decks, case studies, and presentations.  
• Provides input into social media strategy, focusing on LinkedIn. Creates social media content including posts, video, and graphic content.  
• Contributes to content development strategy and develops blog posts, web stories, conference pitches, and stakeholder letters.  
• Provides project management support for asset development with third-party vendors, including coordinating and providing in-person support for communications activities and deliverables as needed. 
• Collaborates with all WWF goal team communicators and Marketing and Communications division to ensure alignment with plastics messaging and objectives as well as WWF corporate engagement communications principles. 
• Supports broader PSE team by developing the monthly internal newsletter for WWF’s Corporate Engagement Community of Practice, weekly news round-up newsletter, and corporate partner communications reporting. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Key Competencies 

• Content Development & Storytelling: Develops engaging, audience-appropriate content across digital, social, web, presentations, events, and other communications channels. 

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Builds effective working relationships across PSE, Media and External Affairs, Marketing and Communications, WWF goal teams, corporate partners, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency. 

• Project Management & Execution: Manages multiple communications projects and deliverables, coordinates with internal and external partners, and ensures high-quality work is delivered on time and in alignment with organizational priorities. 

• Audience Engagement & Adaptability: Understands the needs of different audiences and adapts communications approaches, messaging, and channels to effectively engage business, policy, development, and WWF audiences. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Bachelor's degree with 5 years professional experience; or 2+ years with an advanced degree and relevant work experience in communications agency or in-house external communications position is required.  
• Strong organizational and communications skills, both verbal and written. 
• Critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills. 
• Excellent ability to build internal and external relationships. 
• Experience working with external partners.  
• Proficient in graphic design.   
• Strong project management skills with proven ability to work as part of a high-level, multi-dimensional, international team. 
• Comfortable interacting with corporate personnel at all levels. 
• Working knowledge of sustainable business practices is preferred. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.  
• Ability to travel both national and internationally up to 10%. 
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams. 
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:  
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home. 
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve. 
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future. 
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation. 

Additional Information

This is a 2-year Limited Term position.

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Compensation: 66000 to 82500 (USD) (YEARLY)