DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Digital Marketing Associate

SALARY: $73,000 - $80,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Integrated Marketing

LOCATION: Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: Director of Marketing

NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 0

LAST REVISED: August 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The Digital Marketing Associate is charged with creating and managing content on Defenders’ digital marketing channels to ensure cohesive and engaging experiences for all audiences via Defenders’ website, all owned social media accounts and any externally presented medium that markets Defenders’ brand and/or our work. The Digital Marketing Associate will be a creative and strategic thinker who helps drive engagement and action.

The ideal candidate will think in ecosystems and audience journeys, understanding how content can travel. They will be familiar with digital marketing creative best practices and stay up to date with industry advancements and best practices. Reporting to the Director of Marketing, the Digital Marketing Associate is an integral team player who will work with all departments within Defenders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Create social media content including, but not limited to, short-form videos (including TikToks, Meta Reels, YouTube shorts), digital graphics and Gifs, infographics, digital ad support, etc.
Create digital content in support of organizational needs and to drive and improve SEO and support Defenders’ awareness, advocacy, education and fundraising goals.
Participate in and contribute to ideating sessions to help translate complex scientific and technical topics into clear, compelling social media content for diverse audiences and platforms.
Leverage platform insights and digital analytics (including but not limited to Google Analytics) to make data informed recommendations aligned with organizational, department and channel strategies; collaborate across teams and platforms to review, assess and report back on performance against goals.
Develop collateral materials to increase online engagement including creating digital brand and advocacy tool kits, event resources and other editorial content planning and engagement.
Coordinate across departments to improve storytelling and raise brand awareness including presentation of our work to disparate audiences in support of Defenders’ priorities. Adapt messages for different audiences, platforms, campaign goals and content formats.
Help oversee and maintain Defenders’ website ensuring up-to-date representation of our people, publications and organizational priorities. Administer Defenders’ website Help Desk and coordinate with internal and external partners to execute on approved requests.
Support the implementation of Defenders’ paid and earned social media marketing campaigns across platforms, ensuring accurate setup, deployment and ongoing campaign analysis and management.
Post social media content natively and through our social media scheduling platform.
Coordinate with the Director of Marketing to track performance of Defenders’ digital marketing activity; provide regular updates on analytics and trends in support of content strategy.
Regularly review digital marketing products of other organizations (nonprofit and commercial) to identify emerging trends and best practices, use this intel to help strategize new content for Defenders, plan layout and execute formatting.
Manage timelines and competing priorities while working cross-departmentally on scheduling and promotion to support organizational goals.
Perform all other work-related duties as assigned.
Occasional travel is required for this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience: 4 years of relevant experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Digital Marketing Associate

The ideal candidate will have a basic understanding of website operating platforms (i.e., Drupal), experience developing a wide variety of content types including social media posts, website graphics, video, advertisements and more; familiarity with analytics platforms such as GA4; and experience using creative software to develop content such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, After Effects, etc. In addition, they will have:

A knack for translating complex, dense or otherwise challenging issues into clear, concise, messages for varied audiences;
An aptitude for working with a wide variety of staff to help shape and revise communications products as needed;
The ability to manage competing project deadlines and deliverables on tight timelines;
A healthy appetite for news and information, especially related to environmental and wildlife trends, issues, politics, and policy;
The desire to work with a cross-functional, integrated team to deliver excellent products;
A commitment to uphold and defend the highest levels of ethical conduct;
An affinity to new technologies and a desire to work in a fun, fluid and fast-paced organization;
Respect for a culturally diverse team.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities Check all that apply	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.	N
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.	N
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.	C
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.	N
Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.	O
Communicating with others to exchange information.	C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.	C
Operating machinery and/or power tools.	N
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.	N
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.	C

Environmental Conditions Check all that apply	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.
High temperatures.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
Noisy environments.
Hazardous conditions.
Poor ventilation.
Small and/or enclosed spaces.
No adverse environmental conditions expected.	C

Physical Demands Check only one
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.	X
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised this position is union-eligible. This position is part of a union

bargaining unit represented by OPEIU Local 2.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site