Director of Public Affairs

Summary:

The Director of Public Affairs is a leadership role responsible for shaping, advancing, and protecting the public voice and policy influence of the Coastal Conservation League. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this position leads the organization’s public affairs strategy across media relations, government engagement, advocacy campaigns, and executive communications. The Director of Public Affairs will oversee proactive and responsive communications that advance conservation policy goals, elevate public understanding of environmental issues, and expand the organization’s influence across South Carolina. This role integrates strategic communications, coalition-building, and policy advocacy to support organizational priorities and mission impact, while working in close partnership with Advancement to elevate and amplify fundraising-related communications.

Essential Functions:

Public Affairs, Advocacy & Communications Strategy

• Proactively develop and execute a comprehensive public affairs and advocacy communications strategy aligned with the League’s conservation, climate, and environmental priorities.
• Lead proactive public-facing campaigns that position the organization as a trusted authority and effective advocate for sustainable land use, climate resilience, and community-centered conservation.
• Monitor emerging public issues, policy developments, and political dynamics relevant to the organization’s work and advise executive leadership on response strategies.
• Determine priorities in external communications to advance advocacy goals, policy campaigns, and organizational initiatives.
  
  

Media Relations & External Engagement

• Serve as the primary organizational liaison to media outlets, reporters, editorial boards, and strategic communications partners.
• Proactively cultivate strong relationships with journalists, digital media, and influencers in environmental, political, nonprofit, and regional media spaces.
• Lead rapid-response communications and crisis management related to high-profile, time-sensitive, or controversial issues.
• Oversee the development of press releases, media kits, op-eds, and public statements that reinforce the League’s credibility and leadership.
• Coordinate communications strategy and tools with partner organizations.
  
  

Executive Communications & Speechwriting

• Draft and oversee high-impact speeches, talking points, op-eds, and public remarks for the Executive Director and other senior leaders.
• Provide strategic counsel on public positioning, message discipline, and narrative framing for public appearances, legislative testimony, and stakeholder engagements.
• Support executive leadership with preparation for public forums.
  
  

Organizational Communications Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight and direction for internal and external communications staff, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensure that all public-facing materials reflect the League’s mission, values, and commitment to conservation.
  
  

Advancement Collaboration & Message Alignment

• Work hand in hand with the Conservation and Advancement teams to promote, highlight, and amplify fundraising and advancement communications through earned media, executive messaging, and public-facing platforms.
• Collaborate with Program and Advancement staff to ensure consistency and alignment between advocacy messaging, organizational storytelling, and advancement communications.

Other duties as assigned.

Authorities:

• Serves as the organization’s lead authority on public messaging, media relations, advocacy communications, and executive communications, in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Supervises assigned staff and manages external consultants supporting public affairs, communications, and advocacy efforts.

Competencies:

• Exceptional strategic communication and message development
• Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Strong public affairs, advocacy, and media relations expertise
• Proven leadership, collaboration, and coalition-building ability
• Effective project management and prioritization skills
• Ability to operate with adaptability in dynamic, high-pressure environments
• Strong alignment with conservation ethics and mission-driven work

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, advocacy, communications, politics, or media relations, preferably within a nonprofit, advocacy, government, or campaign environment.
• Demonstrated experience in executive-level speechwriting and public communications.
• Strong understanding of environmental or land-use issues, legislative process, public policy development, and media landscapes.
• Proven ability to manage complex initiatives across departments and stakeholders.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree a plus
• Deep commitment to environmental causes, conservation, and sustainability.
• Experience working in a mission-driven, community-oriented organization.
• Background in legislative, political, or campaign communications strongly preferred.
• Experience with land use, environmental regulation, or conservation policy a plus.
• Basic understanding of legal process is a plus.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, and climb stairs.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Travel

Some local travel may be required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  Other duties may be required in the job as requested by the Supervisor.

Benefits

The Coastal Conservation League offers a competitive suite of benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability; life insurance, 403(b) retirement and generous paid time off policies.

Equal Opportunity

Cultivating a diverse and inclusive team is an essential component of the Conservation League’s commitment to advancing equity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Coastal Conservation League is an equal opportunity employer. The Conservation League does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit, and business need.