Communications Director

ABOUT AMAZON WATCH

Amazon Watch is a dynamic nonprofit organization working to protect and defend the Amazon rainforest and our climate in partnership and solidarity with Indigenous peoples and the climate justice movement.

The Amazon has reached an ecological tipping point due to increased deforestation and degradation. To turn this around, we must protect 80% of the Amazon, including 100% of Indigenous territories. Amazon Watch works directly and in solidarity with Indigenous, forest peoples, and international allies to hold governments, corporations, and financial institutions accountable for Amazon destruction and human rights violations while advancing solutions towards climate justice.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a visionary and strategic professional to serve as our Communications Director. This position is intended for a seasoned leader who can expand the reach and impact of our work across local, national, and global audiences, while nurturing a strong and collaborative communications team (responsible for media relations, publications, digital storytelling, advertising, marketing, and messaging for the organization and its campaigns). The Communications Director will partner closely with colleagues in Programs and Development to ensure our communications strategies advance organizational priorities and center Indigenous leadership and perspectives.

The ideal candidate is someone to whom clear and compelling writing comes naturally and who believes strongly in the importance of our mission to defend the rights of Indigenous peoples and protect the Amazon rainforest. Fluency in English and Spanish is required and Portuguese is highly preferred.

This position is part of the senior leadership team and a full-time position based in our Oakland, CA headquarters. However, Amazon Watch can not offer to cover relocation costs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that advances Amazon Watch’s organizational and campaign goals.
• Position the Communications team as a strategic pillar within the organization, ensuring active participation in decision-making, budgeting, and planning processes.
• Establish clear annual goals across different communications channels and target audiences.
• Build and mentor a high-performing communications team, supporting professional growth, innovative thinking and collaboration.
• Strike the right balance between broad organizational communications goals and targeted campaign objectives.

Media Strategy:

• Develop and lead proactive media efforts by identifying compelling story angles, pitching to key outlets, and organizing press events to secure impactful coverage.

Outreach and Representation:

• Cultivate relationships with strategic media contacts and serve as a primary spokesperson, representing Amazon Watch in interviews and public forums.

Content Creation and Strategy:

• Write, edit, and produce a range of materials – including press releases, blogs, reports, and multimedia – to frame key issues and support Amazon Watch’s campaigns.

Messaging and Publication Oversight:

• Ensure consistent, values-aligned messaging across all platforms; manage special projects and seek opportunities to amplify Amazon Watch content through external publications.

Strategic Integration:

• Collaborate with campaign teams to embed media strategies into advocacy efforts and manage a unified communications calendar across departments.

Content and Capacity Building:

• Oversee content flow and coordination, while providing media training to staff and partners to strengthen public messaging.

Required Qualifications:

Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of experience in journalism, public relations, online campaigning, or a related communications field. They should also have a record of success working with print, broadcast, and online media to effectively and proactively frame issues and drive coverage. Proficiency with online campaigning tools and an eagerness to learn and manage systems are essential. They should have 3-5 years of experience managing a team of communications staff at an advocacy organization ideally with an international focus.

• Minimum seven years of experience in journalism, public relations, online campaigning, or related communications field
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling content under tight deadlines
• Strong copy-editing skills with special attention to detail
• Experience using and managing media databases including Cision (or similar tools) for outreach and tracking
• High proficiency in managing and creating content for major social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram), and enthusiasm for exploring new and emerging platforms
• Collaborative team player who is also comfortable taking initiative and working with independently
• Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple, and often competing, priorities and adapt to changing circumstances with creativity and flexibility
• Commitment to centering Indigenous and frontline community voices, with a genuine passion for Amazon Watch’s mission
• Bilingual in English/Spanish required (Portuguese highly desirable)

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience developing and implementing innovative and effective online campaign strategies
• Working knowledge of image processing, video editing, and desktop publishing
• Multimedia and website management skills
• Familiarity with Google Apps, Slack, Zoom (including webinar features) Asana, YouTube live streams, and other online document sharing platforms (e.g. Social Press Kit)