Communications Manager

Do you enjoy turning complex issues into public-friendly messages, streamlining workflows to share action-oriented stories with the widest audience possible, and evolving communications based on data? Do you want to work with creative, awesome people in a quick-paced environment to protect our land, air, and water for all people and wildlife? Then this Communications Manager position might be for you.

Who We Are

Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We fight climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound and its rivers, and work with nature to restore ecosystems. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands on volunteer efforts. For more than 50 years weve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deservetoday and for generations to come. For more information on our mission and programs, visit www.savethesound.org.

The Position

The full-time Communications Manager reports to the Director of Communications & Marketing and assists with leading the team responsible for meeting the public communications needs of the organization through high-quality, consistent, and engaging written and visual communications, with a particular focus on legal and federal issues and on habitat restoration and resiliency.

Job Responsibilities

This positions primary responsibilities are 1) assisting with operations and infrastructure of the communications team; 2) leading communications for Save the Sounds ecological restoration team; and 3) leading communications for Save the Sounds legal work, including federal regulatory issues.

Working in conjunction with the Director of Communications & Marketing and with project leads, specific activities include:

Communications management (approx. 60%)

• Weekly email Lead coordination, editing, and set-up of Save the Sounds weekly email digest to supporters, growing in independence over time.
• Scheduling Assist Communications & Marketing Director in preparing yearly, weekly, and special campaign schedules, growing in independence over time.
• Reporting Analyze web, email, social media, press, and event metrics to assist in tracking grant deliverables and producing reports.
• Social Media Assist in developing a well-integrated social media strategy and managing the posting calendar.
• Software platforms Become the team expert in Blackbaud Luminate Online; develop proficiency in other major platforms used by the communications team; serve as a team resource for questions and troubleshooting.
• Marketing support Assist with implementation of advertising campaigns. Collaborate with Membership staff on content that informs, activates, and expands Save the Sound's supporters.
• Responding Track, delegate, and respond to public inquiries.
• Managing Recruit, screen, and manage seasonal communications interns and occasional contractors.
• Other duties as required to ensure the efficient performance of our communications and marketing team and delivery of communications materials.

Programmatic communications (approx. 40%; primarily ecological restoration and legal work)

• Media relations Draft press releases, organize press conferences, and coordinate interviews.
• Digital Write and publish engaging web content, blog posts, and social media content, including short videos showcasing the restoration teams in-the-field projects.
• Volunteers Recruit volunteers for events including cleanups and plantings.
• Events Help develop, promote, and run webinars and in-person events that engage, educate, and empower residents on Save the Sound projects.
• Engagement Develop action alerts and create factsheets to empower members of the public to engage in federal administrative processes and to stay up-to-date on legal actions.

As a core member of the Communications & Marketing team, the Communications Manager will regularly collaborate on cross-program stories (Earth Day, year in review, etc.), organizational events, and occasional special projects.

Required Qualifications & Characteristics

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a drive to problem-solve;
• Initiative, independence, and excellent judgment;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated success handling multiple concurrent projects and working as part of a team in a nonprofit, small business, academic, or similar setting;
• Superlative writing ability in both formal and casual voices, and strong proofreading skills;
• Experience in press relations; working with coalitions; and/or event planning and production;
• Experience engaging with legislative, administrative, and/or legal processes;
• Ability to effectively interpret policy and legal topics for a lay audience without losing nuance;
• Understanding of marketing principles and ability to develop messaging angles for priority audiences;
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint;
• Strong skills in Blackbauds Luminate Online, or experience with similar CRM and email platforms and willingness to invest time in building proficiency;
• Ability to travel (2-4 times/month) within Connecticut and coastal New York, including Long Island, occasionally to sites not served by public transit;
• At least 4 years relevant work experience, or a relevant degree at least 2 years relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications & Characteristics

• Skills in graphic design, photography, videography, and/or video editing, and interest in deepening these skills;
• Proficiency with major and emerging social media platforms and demonstrated creativity in showcasing work and engaging followers for an organization/business;
• Social media and marketing strategy development;
• Comfort with public speaking;
• Ability to speak authentically about the natural world and successfully communicate the urgency of environmental action;
• Strong working knowledge of the following programs used by the Save the Sound communications team, or similar programs:
  • Adobe Creative Suite, especially lnDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere
  • Wordpress web content management
  • Phone2Action/Quorum grassroots action tool
  • Meltwater media relations management
  • Meltwater Engage social media management
  • Canto digital asset management
  • GA4/Google Analytics
  • Microsoft Office 365 SharePoint and Teams

Terms & Compensation

This is an at-will, full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $54,000 59,000 annually, commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package, and opportunities for professional development.

Our Hiring Process

Please send rsum, cover letter, three references, and two writing samples totaling at least 1,000 words to ________. Additional work samples (graphic design, photography, video, web design, etc.) are welcome but not required.

Our steps: 1) screening of applications; 2) virtual interview; 3) in-person interview; 4) reference checks; 5) brief conversation with senior manager; 6) offer letter.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Interviews are anticipated to begin late February 2025. Desired start date is as soon as possible.

Additional Details Common to All Positions

Save the Sounds Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sounds diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public; and
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

Hybrid Work Arrangements - Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 2 days per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the managers discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance or other factors.