The Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (‘CMCO’) is a new role within The Rainforest Alliance’s global executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. This role is created to (i) activate the full potential of our brand in support of our new strategy, (ii) to drive our global communications to position the Rainforest Alliance as a thought leader and advance our reputation and its value for our alliance, and (iii) to drive our advocacy work and influencing decision-makers to create an enabling environment for our programs.

Rainforest Alliance aims to substantially grow our alliance using our brand as a key lever to reach that ambition, just like our communications, PR and policy work support our mission and our transformational agenda. Our independent brand and seal are trusted and loved icons for citizens, as well as an asset for responsible business partners who seek to share their sustainability practices, brand values, and purpose with consumers. Our brand and our thought leadership are also valued and recognized by leaders in the conservation, social-economic development, sustainable business, policy, and innovation space.

The CMCO will lead the strategic positioning and further development of the Rainforest Alliance brand. The CMCO will steer communication with external stakeholders and ensure creation and establishment of a consistent, comprehensive brand image and narrative. Furthermore, the CMCO will be accountable for building the network of citizen allies, to fuel the movement of food and agriculture transformation towards regenerative practices and shape a future where people and nature can thrive in harmony together.

We are looking for an experienced executive leader, with confirmed entrepreneurial drive. An enterprise leader who is a team player and brings thought-leadership and vision to the organization.

 

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Vision

• Drive the creation of a brand strategy with materials that portray a consistent, differentiating story about the Rainforest Alliance’s value across all brand touchpoints; ensure that the brand story builds an outstanding experience and long-lasting relationships with all stakeholders
• Build the network of Rainforest Alliance customers, supporters, and allies to accelerate and scale up our work, in conjunction with the Chief Revenue Officer
• Leverage our brand and seal to differentiate business brands committed to the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable practices and standards. Strengthen co-creation and collaboration with leading business brands to make regenerative agriculture and human rights the new normal and to improve citizen engagement through transparent, credible, reliable impact evidence and result based claims
• Prioritize market and consumer research, and data-driven strategic planning and positioning; ensure that active research and market assessment activities drive Rainforest Alliance’s marketing strategy
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to Marketing and Communications teams to ensure that the subunits effectively facilitate organizational growth and improve the Rainforest Alliance brand presence, awareness and reputation across key audiences and markets
• Generate strategic and consistent positive earned media and thought leadership on regenerative agriculture, human rights, climate change and sustainable agriculture and forestry
• Manage reputational risks across the organization to address and mitigate critical media coverage
• Position the organization in key fora as a preeminent change maker driving results and impact

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The incumbent will supervise a global team of marketing, communications, and advocacy professionals
• Carry out people management responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws