Content Specialist

Position Title Content Specialist Department/Program Strategic Communications Reports To Vice President, Brand and Marketing Status Regular, Full Time, Exempt LOCATION: Washington, DC preferred (hybrid); other states considered: AK, CA, FL, MD, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV About Ocean Conservancy For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. Position Summary We are seeking a creative and mission-driven Content Specialist to support Protect Where We Play (PWWP)—Ocean Conservancy’s initiative at the intersection of sports, entertainment, culture, and ocean conservation and Ocean Conservancy’s tentpole moments. This role is central to bringing PWWP to life across channels, developing compelling content that connects athletes and fans to the ocean’s story. Reporting to the Vice President of Brand and Marketing, this position is responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing content across platforms and tentpole moments—from major sporting events and ambassador activations to cultural partnerships and seasonal campaigns. The Content Specialist will work closely with the broader Strategic Communications team, external partners, and Ocean Conservancy’s ambassador network to produce content that is on-brand, on-message, and built to move people. We are looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, understands how sports and culture audiences engage with cause-driven content, and can execute with speed and quality across formats. 60% of this role supports the Protect Where We Play initiative; 40% is dedicated to Tentpole (Earth Day, National Ocean Month, Plastic Free July, International Coastal Cleanup, etc.) content production for Ocean Conservancy. Primary Responsibilities Content Development & Storytelling Develop and produce high-quality content across formats—social media, email, long-form editorial, video scripts, campaign copy, partner toolkits, and more that advances the PWWP narrative Translate Ocean Conservancy’s science and policy priorities into accessible, emotionally resonant stories for sports and culture audiences Write and edit content in a range of voices, from ambassador-facing social posts to partnership announcements and event recaps Support development of content series, editorial calendars, and campaign frameworks anchored to key tentpole moments Tentpole Moment Execution – Protect Where We Play & Ocean Conservancy Brands Lead content planning and production for PWWP’s tentpole activations, including major sporting events, races, summits, and cultural moments (e.g., SailGP Race Week, Green Sports Alliance Summit, GOAL Forum, LA28 arc) and Ocean Conservancy’s tentpole activations (Earth Day, National Ocean Month, Plastic Free July, etc.) Develop real-time and evergreen content assets to maximize reach and engagement around tentpole events Coordinate with partners, ambassadors, and event teams to capture and amplify on-the-ground moments Coordinate with cross departmental teams including Brand, Digital, Development, and Science teams to capture and amplify key messaging and narratives that drive engagement on all Ocean Conservancy channels Build out post-event content recaps, highlight packages, and impact storytelling Ambassador & Partner Content Collaborate with Ocean Conservancy’s ambassador network—including Team Ocean Captains—to co-create authentic content that reflects their voice and platform Support partner content toolkits, co-branded assets, and activation guides that make it easy for sports and corporate partners to show up for the ocean Support content needs for partnership announcements, co-branded campaigns, and cause-marketing activations Platform & Channel Management Manage content publishing across PWWP’s primary channels, ensuring consistency in brand voice, visual identity, and messaging Maintain and update an editorial calendar that aligns content with campaign priorities, key moments, and organizational news Optimize content for platform-specific performance—adapting formats, copy, and cadence for social, web, email, and earned media Monitor content performance and provide regular reporting on engagement, reach, and audience growth Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with the Brand, Digital, Development, and Science teams to ensure PWWP content aligns with organizational priorities and fundraising goals Partner with the external design teams to develop visually compelling assets that elevate content quality Support media and communications efforts by developing background materials, talking points, and story pitches tied to PWWP moments Contribute to broader Strategic Communications team initiatives, brainstorms, and editorial planning Analytics & Optimization Track and analyze content performance across channels, using data to identify what’s working and where to optimize Develop regular content performance reports and surface insights to inform strategy Test content formats, messaging angles, and distribution approaches to continuously improve audience engagement Skills/Qualifications/Experience Required Experience & Skills 3–5+ years of experience in content creation, editorial, or digital communications—ideally in a nonprofit, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, or cause-driven organization Proven ability to produce compelling content across formats: social, long-form, video scripts, email, and campaign copy Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to adapt voice and tone across audiences and channels Experience developing content for tentpole moments, live events, or campaigns with real-time production demands Familiarity with social media platforms, content management systems, and digital publishing workflows Basic visual skills—comfort with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Capcut, or equivalent tools to concept and produce assets Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously Collaborative and proactive—comfortable working across departments and with external partners Proficiency with tools like Microsoft Office, Asana, and Zoom Preferred Qualifications Experience in sports, outdoor, entertainment or lifestyle content and familiarity with sports and culture audience dynamics Background in cause marketing, environmental communications, or advocacy content Experience working with ambassador or influencer programs Familiarity with video production workflows (i.e. Riverside)—from scripting through post-production coordination Understanding of SEO best practices and content optimization for organic search Experience with analytics platforms (e.g. Google Analytics, Sprout Social, native platform insights) Personal Attributes Passion for ocean conservation and the belief that sports and culture are powerful levers for change Creative storyteller who can make complex environmental issues feel urgent, accessible, and inspiring Self-starter who can move quickly, adapt to shifting priorities, and maintain quality under pressure Strong collaborator who builds trust with internal teams, ambassadors, and external partners Curious and culturally plugged-in—attuned to what’s resonating in sports, entertainment, and cause spaces Commitment to equity, inclusion, and diverse representation in storytelling Strong passion for Ocean Conservancy’s passion and values. EDUCATION/TRAINING Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred. Compensation Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range for this role is $80,000 - $90,000 annually. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range. HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution. #J-18808-Ljbffr