We're Hiring! Director of Communications

Full-time & Remote

Ever wondered what the meaning is in the songs of whales, in the chirping of the birds in your garden, or in the ultrasonic communications of bats? You’re not alone…

Earth Species Project (ESP) is a non-profit research lab and impact organization dedicated to using AI to solve these questions. We believe the exponential progress we’re seeing in AI offers new ways of looking at the world and expanding the ability of human beings to learn from other species. Our hope is that this will make a significant contribution to altering human perspective on how we relate to the rest of nature.

ESP partners with biologists and machine learning researchers at leading universities and institutions around the world, and we are honored to be supported by many forward-looking philanthropists and groups, including the Paul G Allen Family Foundation and the National Geographic Society.

As the ability of AI to generate fluent human communication has advanced, so too has the public and scientific interest in what the potential of this technology might be for the animal domain. ESP’s work has been widely featured in the mainstream and scientific press over the past three years, from The Guardian to the New York Times, TIME magazine, Science, Scientific American, WIRED and the Financial Times.

Our dynamic global team is growing, and we are looking for a talented communications professional with exceptional strategic and storytelling skills to lead efforts to engage key target audiences in our work and to super-power our mission.

Purpose of Role

The Director of Communications will be part of ESP’s leadership team, reporting directly to our CEO and working closely with other members of the leadership team. You will be responsible for driving the development and implementation of a global communications strategy which will play a central role in delivering on ESP’s organizational impact - clearly articulating the importance of our research agenda, establishing our organizational brand and positioning, and developing key partnerships that will help us drive the greatest impact.

Responsibilities

ESP operates at the frontier edge of technology and conservation. Our work is both technical and deeply visionary. You will play a leadership role in defining our communications approaches, establishing our scientific credibility and positioning, and developing unique content designed to inspire, engage, and ultimately contribute to positive change in how human beings relate to the rest of nature. 

Specific responsibilities include:

Strategy

• Working with the leadership team to develop the ESP brand, positioning, and key messaging.
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that clearly identifies objectives, measures of success, and strategic approaches to reaching each of our key target audiences: machine learning researchers and the broader technology community; leaders in bioacoustics and behavioral ecology, conservation, and the animal welfare community; current donors and prospective supporters. 
• Identifying and developing relationships with key partners to support our communications strategy - from media partners to documentary filmmakers.

Owned content development

• Working with the ESP team to develop a comprehensive editorial calendar and produce original content focused on our research and advances in bioacoustics, ethology, cognitive neuroscience, AI, and machine learning; supporting our talented AI research team in securing exposure through scientific publications and conferences. 
• Delivering creative, innovative approaches to digital communications, including proactive social media outreach and engagement, optimizing ESP’s website and updating it on a regular basis, and producing regular electronic communications for our community of donors, partners, and supporters.
• Maintaining a consistent voice and exceptionally high standards across all aspects of our publishing and content.

Media and Speaking Opportunities

• Managing and prioritizing all inbound media requests, developing proactive pitches and maintaining relationships with priority journalists and media outlets.
• Overseeing and prioritizing a high volume of inbound speaking requests from international conferences and organizations, supporting leadership and technical speakers to deliver our message most effectively.
• Developing messaging for ESP spokespeople and providing media training to ESP team members; where appropriate, serving as a named spokesperson. 

Fundraising communications

• Working closely with the Development team to articulate our work for major donors and institutional funders and with our impact team to support outreach to our partners.

Team and supplier management

• Managing a suite of designers and other communications consultants to implement various aspects of the communications strategy. 
• Managing the communications budget.
• Developing a long-term plan for how ESP will resource its communications needs into the future, including the potential for building an in-house team.

Your Background

You are a consummate communications professional and leader with an inherent ability to absorb large amounts of new material and focus on the most effective and strategic approaches. 

You will bring: 

• Substantial communications experience gained in a fast-paced technology, academic, or science-focused non-profit environment, with direct experience in writing and editing to bring scientific or technical content to life.
• A proven ability to hone in on strategic approaches that will deliver the best results and a solid track record in developing and delivering organizational communications strategies and delivering on a wide range of communications tactics.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex information for lay audiences, combined with a talent for inspirational storytelling.
• Experience working with mainstream media and demonstrated comfort with acting as an organizational spokesperson.
• Wizard organizational skills - able to juggle multiple priorities and work independently while also being comfortable with directing or collaborating with others on content creation.

• Understanding and comfort with current industry terminology (jargon) in machine learning and/or biological sciences, or the ability to get up to speed fast. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with high-profile speakers and managing the operations of getting them onstage frequently with the right message.

• Ideally, a level of comfort in using graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or Figma; experience with editing websites using a CMS, and experience with project management software. 

Essential Qualities

• A passion for the natural world and excited by the prospect of using technology to decode communication of other species
• Precise and detail-oriented while also able to inspire
• Good communicator, writer, and listener
• Flexible, adaptable team player who enjoys collaboration and working with others
• Openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and curiosity
• Comfort with ambiguity and creativity in your approach to problem solving

We are a fully remote team, and you can be located anywhere in the world, but will ideally be willing to work East Coast U.S. working hours, with expectations to occasionally participate in virtual meetings outside your typical working hours.  Additionally, you must have the willingness to travel internationally (<20%) for events and in-person team gatherings.

Benefits

• 130,000-180,000 USD depending on the level of seniority
• Medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance - ESP covers 100% of the premium
• 401k plan with match (if based in the United States)
• 2,000 USD home office stipend
• Unlimited paid time off, with a recommended minimum of three weeks per year
• Flexible working hours
• Regular team retreats around the world

At Earth Species Project is a fully remote team, we strive to create a culture where all can thrive and be our authentic selves is essential to our mission. We believe our success depends on our diversity and fostering an inclusive environment that supports creativity and innovation. As an organization, we are committed to promoting equity and belonging in our work.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, and criminal history, consistent with legal requirements. We encourage folks of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

If you require any accommodations, please email us at jobs@earthspecies.org, and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

Please submit your application as soon as possible by clicking the link below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply before March 01, 2024 for consideration. The position will remain posted on Earth Species Project’s website until it is filled.

Apply here