Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.

The Federation's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

Texas Living Waters (TLW) is an NWF-led collaborative effort with other organizations working together to improve Texas’ management and use of water to ensure that sufficient freshwater is available to support abundant fish and wildlife, thriving communities, and a robust state economy. To support Texas Living Waters and NWF’s broader Texas Coast and Water Program, we are seeking a Senior Communications Manager to join our team.

In this role, you will serve as a strategic thought leader on the team. Your primary responsibility will be to develop, support, and implement a robust communications program to cultivate, engage, and mobilize a wide range of partners and allies to support the strategic goals and aims of NWF’s Texas Coast and Water Program, including Texas Living Waters with outside partners. Areas of focus for those goals include equitable water policy and planning for all Texans, water conservation, freshwater inflows for healthy bays and estuaries, nature-based solutions to water-related hazards, and more. The Senior Communications Manager will report to the Director of the Texas Coast and Water Program.

In this role you will:

Develop, Implement, and Maintain a Communications Strategy (40%):

• Develop, manage, and track all aspects of the Texas Coast and Water Program’s and TLW’s communication strategy in collaboration with TLW organizations, other partners, and external consultants
• Develop and be responsible for grant-specific communications strategies and reporting
• Support external communications across multiple mediums, including written, graphic, photo and video, to promote and support the Texas Coast and Water Program and TLW
• Craft, implement, and maintain quality control of TLW’s key messages, brand, and image
• Lead the development of an annual impact report for TLW funders and supporters

Produce Content for Texas Coast and Water and TLW audiences (25%):

• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, annual reports, brochures, and web content
• Create promotional materials for the Texas Coast and Water Program and TLW initiatives (ex: factsheets and issue briefs)
• Provide writing and presentation assistance to team as necessary
• Manage contracts with English to Spanish translation services as needed

Cultivate and Maintain Press, Media and Partner Relations (25%):

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with members of the media at all levels and on all platforms
• Elevate the team’s expertise to the media on issues within our strategic goals
• Manage press relations through press inquiries and pitching stories, and by promptly responding to media requests
• Assist in op-ed and other persuasive writing for placement in newspapers, magazines, and other forms of online and written news media.
• Work closely with NWF’s national communications team for general coordination and organize direct support on outreach to Spanish-speaking outlets
• Assist in maintaining donor communication processes as necessary

Design and Manage Web and Digital Platforms (10%):

• Effectively communicate our work and impact by updating the TWL website and maintaining it as an inviting and interactive platform
• Help staff generate blogs, reports, and general information related to each issue area that can be featured on the TLW website
• Perform regular site maintenance and troubleshooting
• Track and measure the level of engagement on the web and social media platforms over time
• Manage contracts with web consultants on the above tasks as necessary

Basic Qualifications

• College degree, or equivalent experience. This may look like a high school diploma/GED plus four years of experience, an associate degree plus two years of experience, or another combination of education and years of experience
• 5+ years of experience in communications or related positions, such as print communications, social media management, science communication, earned media, digital presence, visual communications, website content creation, event promotion, or stakeholder engagement
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to flex communication and present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Strong copy editor with a strong eye for detail
• Proficiency with PC-based software including Microsoft Office, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
• Creativity, flexibility, and ability to handle multiple tasks at once and meet deadlines
• Self-starter, independent thinker, creative problem solver, and team player

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated graphics design and website design experience
• Experience with a variety of writing styles such style such in multiple formats such as digital media, white papers, and press releases
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Spanish speaker

Location and Work Mode:

This position is based out of our South Central Reginal Center in Austin, TX, and the candidate should reside within the state of Texas. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work in the office, in a hybrid manner (at least 1 day in the office per week), or fully remote (with the expectation to attend some in-person meetings and events), to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000, commensurate with experience.

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.