Senior Communications Manager

Audubon Delta (AD) is a regional field office of the National Audubon Society. AD manages Audubon's conservation and network priorities in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This geography includes 81 Important Bird Areas covering more than 16 million acres and over 42,000 Audubon members and supporters, many of whom belong to one of Audubon Delta's 21 local chapters.

Reporting to Audubon Delta’s Vice President and Executive Director, the Senior Communications Manager, Audubon Delta, is responsible for regional efforts to raise awareness and build a constituency for Audubon Delta’s conservation priorities in the region including work on climate, coasts, and lower Mississippi river water issues. The Senior Communications Manager will lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy that advances Audubon Delta’s conservation goals. They will conduct day-to-day work in the areas of planning, marketing, writing, print/electronic communication and publication, media and public relations, production, and project management.

Working in concert with Audubon Delta’s communications, policy, and engagement staff they will participate on a team that ensures high-quality communications that raise the profile of Audubon Delta, move our strategic priorities forward, and set us up for fundraising success. They will also work closely with staff within the region, the Mississippi Flyway, and with partner and media organizations. The Regional Communications Manager will also engage in national priority communications and necessary and will work closely with Audubon’s VP of Communications.

• Develop and build on strong relationships with state and regional reporters and media outlets (including print, digital, TV, radio) covering climate, coasts, lower Mississippi water issues, and the environment.
• Develop advocacy driven communication campaigns with measurable goals and outcomes for Delta region priorities.
• Develop message frameworks and talking points for key initiatives, strategic priorities, fundraising, and events.
• Support field staff in the amplification and promotion of legislative activities; leverage key moments like agency announcements, hearings, markups, floor votes to advance communications goals; and work closely with media outlets covering climate policy to create news moments and shape larger news narratives around policy priorities.
• Draft press releases, editorials, media pitches, holding statements and talking points that publicize and support Audubon Delta’s mission and goals.
• Ghost write Op-eds and blogs for leadership team.
• Cultivate relationships with communications staff across Audubon to increase collaboration.
• Synthesize national statements, policy and program materials to develop story angles for Audubon Delta and pitches for local media.
• Manage projects and campaigns on time and on budget.
• Write, edit and distribute news releases and statements from Audubon Delta leaders.
• Craft personalized pitches for reporters, editors and producers.
• Land high-quality media coverage at national, regional and local levels across all types of media.
• Ensure the consistency of brand standards and integrated messaging around our mission, vision, and values with all audiences and communities.
• Work in partnership with national, regional, and state staff to manage the organization’s website, social media strategy, and content.
• Manage and coordinate marketing and promotion for organization events in partnership with other staff members.
• Track communications goals and outcomes and prepare summaries of communications activities for funding reports.
• Analyze and document the effectiveness of all executed marketing and communications.
• Cultivate relationships with communications field staff to increase collaboration and support to teams across the organization.
• Other job duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing or a closely related field required and minimum of 7+ years in public relations, journalism or other communications and marketing fields preferably with a nonprofit. Equivalent combination of education and experience also considered.
• Experience developing and implementing communication plans and strategies.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience writing articles for newsletters, marketing literature, social media, and public relations materials. Ability to write well quickly and under pressure.
• Experience pitching and developing strong relationships with traditional and new media; using online communications tools to enhance and amplify an organization’s core messages; and providing creative communications support, editing support, and strategy to multiple internal project teams simultaneously.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills a must; ability to work with multiple stakeholder groups across a decentralized organization also necessary.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects on time and on budget.
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information clearly to various audiences.
• A high level of skill and comfort with technology, including experience with multiple computer and electronic communications and design software and platforms, such as MS Office, Drupal, Canva, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience designing, monitoring and evaluating tools for assessing the impact of communication services.
• A self-starter with a proactive approach to assignments, one with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, solve problems with limited supervision, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity diversity, inclusion and belonging.
• A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to travel, as needed, and participate in programs occurring after typical business hours.
• Interest in environmental issues and conservation strongly preferred.