Director, Digital Marketing & Platforms
Ocean Conservancy

Bonsai Leadership Group is thrilled to support Ocean Conservancy in its search for a Director, Digital Marketing & Platforms. 

ABOUT Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with its partners, it creates evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Learn more about Ocean Conservancy at www.oceanconservancy.org. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Ocean Conservancy seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Digital Marketing & Platforms. This is an exciting opportunity for a digital leader to shape and execute strategies that drive engagement, fundraising, and measurable impact for ocean conservation through compelling campaigns and powerful storytelling. 

The Director of Digital Marketing & Platforms will lead Ocean Conservancy’s digital strategy to optimize engagement and generate digital revenue. This leader will serve as a member of the Communications Leadership and Development Director teams and collaborate closely with the Director of Digital Engagement and Advocacy to enhance and elevate integrated strategies that support Ocean Conservancy’s fundraising, advocacy, and brand storytelling efforts. 

Reporting to the VP of Brand and Marketing, the Director of Digital Marketing & Platforms will lead a high-performing team in designing and implementing strategies to achieve $5MM+ in digital fundraising revenue annually, contributing to Ocean Conservancy’s broader $50MM+ annual revenue goal.   

The Director, Digital Marketing & Platforms will have the following primary responsibilities:  

Strategic Leadership 

  • Craft and implement a bold digital marketing vision while leading a high-performing team of specialists across fundraising, advertising, and digital outreach 

  • Develop innovative multichannel digital fundraising strategies in partnership with the VP of Resource Development 

  • Partner with the Director of Digital Engagement and Advocacy to transform our digital ecosystem to dramatically increase donor acquisition, expand email/SMS list size, deepen engagement, strengthen advocacy efforts, and maximize lifetime value 

  • Build powerful cross-functional collaborations that align digital fundraising with organizational conservation goals 

  • Oversee creative and technical vendors and identify new partnerships to accelerate growth 

  • Contribute to the development and execution of the organizational digital strategy as a core member of the Communications Leadership Team 

Revenue Generation & Innovation 

  • Orchestrate high-impact campaigns across email, SMS, web, and emerging advertising channels that drive measurable results 

  • Optimize donation experiences and launch digital platforms to increase conversion rates and average gift amounts 

  • Partner with Development Directors to create tailored digital strategies for each fundraising pillar (membership, planned giving, major giving) 

  • Lead creative development for compelling digital assets, including sophisticated email campaigns and high-converting landing pages 

  • Direct strategic paid search programs and digital advertising initiatives in coordination with the Digital Advocacy Team 

  • Collaborate with operations, development, and technical teams to implement integrated platforms and seamless e-commerce solutions 

  • Spearhead transformative enhancements for Ocean Conservancy's website and e-commerce platform to maximize engagement and revenue 

  • Drive merchandise strategy across all storefronts to create additional revenue streams 

  • Consistently exceed KPI goals for acquisition, retention, merchandise, and donor metrics  

Data-Driven Excellence 

  • Champion sophisticated metrics-based decision-making across the organization 

  • Implement advanced testing and optimization methodologies that deliver measurable improvements 

  • Identify and leverage emerging digital trends and technologies to maintain competitive advantage 

  • Translate complex analytics into strategic insights that drive organizational decision-making  

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have many of the experiences and qualifications described below but need not possess them all for consideration: 

  • 8+ years of progressive experience in digital marketing within the nonprofit sector, with a strong track record of generating revenue; Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field 

  • Outstanding track record of success in digital fundraising and donor engagement, including a proven history of scaling digital fundraising programs and implementing innovative, high-impact breakthrough strategies 

  • Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities with deep expertise in optimizing multichannel campaigns for maximum impact and advanced capabilities in data analysis and visualization 

  • Advanced proficiency in digital marketing technologies and emerging platforms, including experience with Engaging Networks Nonprofit Digital Engagement platform or similar digital engagement platforms 

  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, CRM systems, HTML, WordPress, Photoshop, and general web design principles 

  • Proven excellence in managing complex projects and leading high-performing teams, with outstanding written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage internal and external stakeholders and drive results 

  • Experienced leader of diverse, cross-functional teams in dynamic environments, with an exceptional record of talent development and guiding teams through periods of organizational growth and change 

  • Collaborative leadership style with the ability to forge powerful partnerships across departments and manage a portfolio of creative and technical agency partners 

  • Passion for ocean and environmental conservation 


TRAVEL 

Approximately 10% of your time will be spent traveling.   

LOCATION 

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work structure requiring employees to reside in one of the following US states: AK, CA, DC, FL, MD, OR, VA, TX, WA, and WV. The structure allows staff the flexibility to work virtually and in person while building strong connections across the institution.  

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Ocean Conservancy is committed to fair and equitable compensation as a foundation for fostering a diverse, inclusive, and thriving workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered. It has established pay structures informed by market data and ensures accountability through ongoing monitoring and reporting of its progress toward achieving more equitable pay practices.  

The minimum starting salary for this position is $142,000 annually. Final compensation offers will be determined at the end of the recruitment process based on factors such as the candidate’s location, qualifications, background, experience, and internal pay equity considerations. To ensure alignment, candidates are encouraged to share their salary expectations early. This allows for meaningful discussions about compensation and helps ensure alignment and equity before a final offer. 

In addition, Ocean Conservancy offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:   

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees, spouses (both same sex and opposite sex), domestic partner, and dependent children (effective day 1 of employment)  

  • Short- and Long-Term Disability (free for employee)  

  • Basic Life Insurance (free for employee)  

  • Healthcare and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account  

  • Retirement Planning - 100% vested upon hire; can begin contributing at hire. After 1 year, Ocean Conservancy will open a 401(a) account for you and will contribute 6% of your monthly salary whether you participate in the 403(b) or not.   

  • 15 paid vacation days, 11 holidays, 12 sick days, and two personal days  

See full list of benefits at: Ocean Conservancy Benefits 

SHARE YOUR INTEREST

Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. For consideration, submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest by applying here.

If you are a person with a disability and need help applying, please contact us at careers@bonsaileadershipgroup.com.   We kindly ask that you refrain from using this email to inquire about the status of your interest in this position. We will reply to all candidates with a status and any next steps once the evaluation process is complete.

Ocean Conservancy encourages applicants with a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. Ocean Conservancy wants to support employees’ career growth, and in return, its employees help it grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution. 

All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.  

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.