Director of Communications

Status: Full-time, Remote (U.S.) with ability to collaborate closely with Ecuador-based team; occasional travel 
Reports to: Vice President of Advancement 
Direct Reports: Photographer / Multimedia Producer; Webmaster 
Languages: English and Spanish fluency required 

Position Overview 

Galápagos Conservancy seeks an experienced, bilingual Director of Communications to lead and execute an integrated communications strategy that elevates the organization’s voice, strengthens its brand, and amplifies conservation impact across global audiences. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, this role owns the organization’s communications function and is responsible for aligning messaging with fundraising, science, partnerships, and institutional priorities. 

The Director of Communications is a strategic thinker and skilled storyteller who can translate complex conservation science into compelling narratives for donors, media, partners, and the public. This role oversees Galápagos Conservancy’s communications ecosystem, including media relations, digital content, web presence, brand stewardship, thought leadership, and field-based storytelling, while managing a small in-house team and external vendors and consultants. 

This is a hands-on leadership role for a communications generalist who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, brings a global perspective, and is deeply committed to conservation. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Strategic Communications Leadership 

• Develop and lead Galápagos Conservancy’s organization-wide communications strategy to increase visibility, trust, and engagement, and to support fundraising and partnerships. 

• Serve as a communications advisor to senior leadership, shaping messaging around major announcements, scientific milestones, donor-facing initiatives, and organizational priorities. 

• Ensure consistent, compelling storytelling and messaging across all communications channels and materials. 

2. Media Relations & Public Visibility 

• Build and manage relationships with journalists covering conservation, biodiversity, climate, Latin America, philanthropy, and science. 

• Proactively pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and secure high-quality media coverage that elevates Galápagos Conservancy’s role and impact. 

• Develop press releases, media kits, fact sheets, and talking points for staff and scientific partners. 

• Identify reputational risks and lead crisis communications responses as needed. 

• Track media coverage, analytics, and trends to inform future outreach. 

3. Brand Leadership & Narrative Development 

• In collaboration with the Marketing and Direct Response Officer steward and evolve Galápagos Conservancy’s brand identity, ensuring consistency across print, digital, and field-generated content. 

• Maintain and update messaging frameworks, voice and tone guidelines, and visual brand standards. 

• Ensure high-quality execution of design assets, photography, and video aligned with organizational values and identity. 

• Lead on content creation for Philanthropy including the annual report and the bi-annual post magazine. 

4. Digital Communications & Web Content 

• Oversee website strategy and content governance, ensuring information is accurate, current, mission-aligned, and optimized for engagement and SEO. 

• Manage the Webmaster and provide editorial direction for site updates, campaign landing pages, and ongoing improvements. 

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Direct Response Officer on email communications, newsletters, impact updates, and donor-facing materials, in coordination with Philanthropy. 

• Ensure analytics and performance data (e.g., Google Analytics, email metrics) inform strategy and continuous improvement. 

5. Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility 

• Identify and support high-value speaking and visibility opportunities for Galápagos Conservancy leadership, including conferences, summits, panels, and convenings. 

• Draft and refine speeches, op-eds, presentations, and thought-leadership content. 

• Position Galápagos Conservancy as a credible global voice on conservation, species recovery, community engagement, and science-driven rewilding. 

• Lead communications for major milestones, launches, announcements, and donor gatherings. 

6. Storytelling From the Field 

• Work closely with Ecuador-based colleagues and field partners to accurately and compellingly capture Galápagos Conservancy’s work through photography, video, interviews, and scientific data. 

• Supervise the Photographer/Multimedia Producer’s content pipeline and ensure ethical, accurate representation of wildlife, landscapes, and communities. 

• Translate scientific achievements into accessible and inspiring stories for donors, policymakers, and the public. 

7. Internal Communications & Cross-Team Collaboration 

• Partner closely with the Philanthropy team to support donor communications, fundraising campaigns, membership appeals, stewardship materials, and major-donor collateral. 

• Support program and science staff by translating complex content into clear, public-facing communications. 

• Coordinate with Operations and executive leadership to ensure integrated organizational messaging and internal alignment. 

8. Team Leadership, Vendors & Budget Management 

• Manage and support a small communications team, including a photographer/multimedia producer and webmaster. 

• Oversee relationships with external agencies, designers, translators, photographers, and communications consultants. 

• Foster a collaborative, high-quality communications culture centered on creativity, integrity, and impact. 

• Manage communications budgets related to media outreach, content production, and brand initiatives. 

Requirements

• 7 or more years of experience in communications, including strategic communications, media relations, digital content, brand development, and storytelling. 

• Demonstrated success securing press coverage and managing journalist relationships. 

• Exceptional writing and editing skills in English and Spanish, with the ability to tailor messaging for donors, media, scientific audiences, and the public. 

• Proven experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies across multiple channels. 

• Experience managing a small team and coordinating external vendors or creative agencies. 

• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

• Demonstrated ability to translate scientific or technical content into accessible narratives. 

• Knowledge of conservation, biodiversity, environmental issues, or international development strongly preferred. 

• High degree of cultural competency and ability to work effectively across U.S. and Ecuador-based teams. 

• Ability to travel 1 to 3 times per year, including to the Galápagos. 

Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience, seniority, and scope of responsibility.  Galapagos Conservancy offers a generous benefits package which includes: health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; disability insurance; vacation and sick leave; 401k; flexible working hours; and more.