Associate Director, Outreach and Communications

American Rivers; Jackson (WY); Remote; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rivers is seeking an Associate Director, Outreach & Communications to lead the Northern Rockies team’s outreach and to craft integrated communications strategies with our national team. You will oversee storytelling, media relations, content development, and collaboration with partners to advance river conservation goals.

The role requires strong writing and coordination skills, experience in journalism or marketing, and the ability to travel regionally.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced degree with 2+ years relevant experience, or undergraduate degree with 3+ years in conservation, marketing, communications or journalism.
• Ability to manage complex project timelines and coordinate multiple campaigns.
• Experience with digital content production tools.
• Willingness to experiment with new tactics in evolving communications.
• Experience or interest in working with journalists at local/regional level.
• Strong familiarity with Northern Rockies conservation issues, politics and culture.
• Willingness to travel regionally, including occasional off-hours.
• Love and passion for rivers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a communications and marketing strategy for the Northern Rockies region to raise awareness of American Rivers and build support for conservation goals.
• Raise visibility of American Rivers in the Northern Rockies by planning events, speaking engagements, webinars, film showings, field tours, and fundraising events.
• Lead storytelling by developing and distributing content that supports priority projects and public engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with media and regional influencers; coordinate regional media relations and draft statements.
• Collaborate with national team to ensure brand consistency, voice, and strategy.
• Track and analyze metrics to evaluate communications effectiveness.
• Manage content calendars and budgets for outreach projects; support contract management as needed.
• Develop timely and engaging take-action opportunities for members and supporters.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Project management

Digital content production

Media relations

Content strategy

Journalist outreach

Northern Rockies knowledge

Travel willingness

Education

Advanced degree

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Digital content production tools

Job description

JOB TITLE: Associate Director, Outreach & Communications

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director I

SALARY BAND: B

REPORTS TO: Northern Rockies Regional Director LOCATION: Remote in Jackson, WY

About American Rivers

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within ourorganization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bringto our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to oureffectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water forpeople and nature.

The person hired for this position MUST LIVE within one hour's drive of Jackson, WY.

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director, Outreach & Communications leads the Northern Rockies team’s outreach efforts and develops and executes communications strategies in close collaboration with our national communications and marketing team. This includes creative storytelling, media outreach, content development, and working with partners and coalitions to advance our river conservation and communications goals.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a communications and marketing strategy for the Northern Rockies region to raise awareness of American Rivers and build support for our conservation goals.
• Raise visibility of American Rivers in the Northern Rockies region by planning and executing, events including speaking engagements, webinars, film showings, field tours, and fundraising events.
• Lead storytelling efforts by developing and distributing content that supports our priority projects and public engagement efforts. This includes blogs, social media posts, e-newsletters, action alerts, factsheets, photos, video, and other materials.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with members of the media and regional influencers. Coordinate regional media relations, draft press statements and talking points, respond to outreach, and help implement rapid-response communications.
• Work closely with the broader communications and marketing team to ensure consistency of brand, voice, messaging, and overall strategy and coordination.
• Track and analyze metrics to evaluate communications and public engagement effectiveness s.
• Manage content calendars, deadlines, budgets for outreach and communications projects; support contract/consultant management as needed.
• Develop timely and engaging 'take action' opportunities for our members and supporters in the Northern Rockies region.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced degree and 2 years of relevant experience, or undergraduate degree and 3 years of relevant experience in conservation, marketing, communication or journalism.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex project timelines and coordinate multiple campaign efforts.
• Experience with digital content production tools.
• Interest and willingness to experiment with new tactics in the evolving communications landscape.
• Experience or interest in working with journalists at the local and regional level.
• Strong familiarity with Northern Rockies conservation issues, politics and culture.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally, including occasional off-hours or field work as needed.
• Comfort prioritizing work in high-pace environments and willingness to meet regular, often variable deadlines.
• A love and passion for rivers!

LOCATION

Remote within the Northern Rockies Region

COMPENSATION

American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experienceof the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $61,800-$75,600 annually, dependingon experience and qualifications.We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees,including:

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and lifeinsurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3%employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions asemployees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, andsick leave.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee's well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

• At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do - we Lead with Collaboration andTrust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. Weare committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, andempowered to make a difference.

• Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings),professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leavepolicies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/one year of service).

• We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group,fostering open communication and continuous improvement.

• At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or [e-mail]. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.