Communications Manager

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The Communications Manager is responsible for creating and implementing a communications strategy that furthers Audubon’s mission to protect birds and the places they need. This position will place stories about Audubon’s work, develop and execute communications plans on key initiatives, and coordinate with colleagues across the country to ensure a holistic, integrated communications effort.

This Communications Manager will develop and implement a communications strategy for Audubon in order to increase its impact. This includes leading communications for organization-wide projects, identifying opportunities to elevate Audubon experts, ensuring core messaging and framing is used consistently across the network, and supporting internal communications.

Essential Functions

• Build and execute communications plans for Audubon issues, campaigns, initiatives, events, reports, organizational announcements, and other special projects
• Develop materials for press and the public, including press releases, statements, blog posts, op-eds, newsletters, emails, fact sheets, and social media language
• Land high-quality media coverage at national, regional, and local levels across all types of media
• Build strong relationships with journalists
• Develop message frameworks and talking points
• Conduct media training for spokespeople, prepare people for press interviews, speeches, and presentations
• Collaborate with internal communications team to communicate organizational priorities
• Cultivate relationships with state-based communications staff in support of the development of greater collaboration
• In collaboration with state-based staff, lead efforts to heighten Audubon’s media profile by developing and implementing strategies for outreach and relationship development to media contacts, growing our impact locally and nationally
• Create materials for use and adaptation across Audubon to ensure that the network is empowered and equipped to participate in broader initiatives
• Collaborate with Audubon colleagues to ensure alignment with institutional priorities, successful coordination across departments and offices, and consistent and effective messaging
• Manage projects and campaigns on time and on budget
• Collaborate with Audubon’s social media and web teams
• Manage relationships with public relations agencies and other vendors, providing relevant tools and services across Audubon departments and ensuring successful completion of projects and campaigns
• Ensure Audubon’s strategic imperative of equity, diversity and inclusion is included in messaging

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing or a closely related field (equivalent combination of education and experience also considered)
• 5+ years in public relations, journalism or other communications fields
• A demonstrated understanding of how to utilize communications tools for issue advocacy, campaigns, and mission-driven work
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholder groups across a decentralized organization
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to translate complex policy into concise, accurate, and compelling language including op-eds, talking points, blog posts and essays;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and obvious ability to easily learn online communications and project management tools
• Experience using media databases such as Meltwater or Cision strongly preferred
• Proficiency with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram preferred

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.