Communications Manager, Saline Lakes and Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust

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.

The Communications Manager will be primarily responsible for communications focused on Great Salt Lake, as well as communication needs for saline lakes across the Intermountain West. Working in close coordination with Audubon’s Saline Lakes Program Director and Executive Director of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust (GSLWET), this role will lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy that advances the goals of GSLWET, as well as Audubon’s goals.

As a key member of the growing GSLWET team, the Communications Manager will lead and coordinate the GSLWET communications committee, and will work in collaboration with communications professionals at The Nature Conservancy of Utah, the State of Utah, and the Community Foundation of Utah and will manage day-to-day communications needs for the program and GSLWET. The Communications Manager will also be responsible for coordinating with consultants, vendors, and staff in implementing a strategic communications program for the region. The Manager will coach program leaders to develop and deliver quality materials and generate social and digital media to publicize programs and conservation goals. The Communications Manager will also engage in national priority communications, as necessary, working with Audubon’s communications team.

This position will report directly to the Communications Director, Water, and will be based in the greater Salt Lake City area, working closely with the Saline Lakes Program and Western Water leadership.

Compensation:

$70,000-$80,000 / year

• Develop and execute external and internal communications strategies focused on Audubon’s Great Salt Lake and saline lakes priorities in the region, making use of earned and digital media strategies.
• Implement the shared GSLWET communications plan and serve as a liaison on communication issues for the greater GSLWET team.
• Manage day-to-day communications needs for GSLWET and Saline Lakes program including but not limited to framing messages, developing and writing print and online content, developing and executing earned and digital media strategies, coordinating team response to crisis communications issues, managing social media and website accounts and content, and maximizing use of marketing and fundraising tools including print and digital media.
• Stay abreast of continually shifting local and national attention and media and coordinate with the Saline Lakes and GSLWET teams to understand priorities for the strategies for preserving Great Salt Lake.
• Frame and prepare communications that inform and engage the public on local, state, and national conservation issues with a focus on Great Salt Lake and GSLWET.
• Promote GSLWET activities, successes, and leverage key moments such as state agency announcements, major partnerships, water transactions, restoration projects.
• Support tabling events for GSLWET and/or Audubon.
• Draw upon a variety of communication tools to produce content, including designing and producing written, audio, visual, and multimedia content and stories.
• Draft press releases, editorials, media pitches, and talking points that publicize and support GSLWET goals.
• Conceive, draft, and place op-eds and blogs for the GSLWET or Saline Lakes leadership team.
• Plan and manage a calendar of print and digital communications, including articles, graphics, or other materials for e-newsletters for Audubon and/or close partners.
• Develop and build relationships with reporters and media outlets to promote Audubon and GSLWET programs.
• Work closely with Audubon’s Communications Director for Water, and other parts of the Audubon network to build and manage communications.
• Develop budgets and manage vendors and contracts for communications services (including for future iterations of the GSLWET website).
• Along with program leaders, conduct strategic communications and outreach to influence policy makers.
• Track media coverage and provide clips / summaries for GSLWET, Saline Lakes Program and the wider Audubon network as appropriate.
• Ensure the consistency of Audubon’s brand standards and integrated messaging around Audubon’s mission, vision, and values with all audiences and communities. As GSLWET develops, work to build a brand and integrated messaging for this effort.
• Ensure Audubon’s strategic imperative of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) is included in messaging.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant area and a minimum of 5 years' professional experience with public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, fundraising, project management and/or advocacy required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
• Experience with a variety of communication tools to produce content is preferred, including designing and producing compelling content and stories.
• Deep understanding of strategic communications and engagement tools; experience developing and implementing communication plans and strategies.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience writing content for media, newsletters, marketing materials, and social media. Ability to write well, quickly, and under tight deadlines.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills a must; ability to work with multiple stakeholder groups across a decentralized organization also necessary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to engage with the online systems of Audubon and GSLWET; expertise with graphic design a plus.
• Strong 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.
• Demonstrated commitment to EDIB principles and their inclusion in our communications and engagement.
• A self-starter with a proactive approach to assignments; 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, (up to 20% in the state of Utah and less than 10% out of state) and participate in programs occurring after typical business hours. Ideally the manager will spend an average of at least 1 to 2 days a week in the office.
• Interest in environmental issues and conservation.
• Commitment to an organizational culture and structure that fosters cooperation, communication, collaboration, teamwork, equity, and trust.

This position is a union eligible position and is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

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.

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