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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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