Communications Manager

Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF); United States; Remote; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is seeking a Communications Manager to lead its communications strategy, oversee content production, and coordinate donor communications to support fundraising and awareness.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the role focuses on media relations, brand management, and audience development across local and regional audiences, with collaboration across departments and partners.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities for diverse platforms.
• Experience in media relations, public relations, and secure earned media coverage.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisation-wide communications strategy and calendar planning.
• Coordinate donor communications and fundraising campaigns with the Philanthropy team.
• Oversee content production across print, digital, and social media channels.
• Manage media relations, pitching stories, and coordinating press materials.
• Maintain brand identity and ensure consistent messaging across channels.

Skills

Communication strategy

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Content production

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Video editing

Web CMS

Job description

Key details

Organization: Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)
Position: Communications Manager
Location: California, United States
Salary: $75,000-$85,000 per year
Application Deadline: Priority consideration for applications submitted before 30 October 2026

About us

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to conserving and restoring Elkhorn Slough and its watershed in California. As the nonprofit partner of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Foundation works closely with Reserve staff and agency partners to protect the region’s natural environment and promote conservation.

ESF is seeking a Communications Manager to lead its communications strategy, strengthen public awareness of its conservation work, coordinate messaging across departments, and support fundraising and donor engagement.

About the Position

The Communications Manager will provide strategic communications leadership across the organisation, overseeing communications priorities, guiding content production, and leading the communications team. Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, the successful candidate will help promote ESF’s conservation programmes to local and regional audiences while strengthening relationships with media outlets, public officials, community members, and other stakeholders.

The role also involves collaborating with the Philanthropy team to support fundraising campaigns, donor communications, grant applications, and audience development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Communications Strategy and Coordination

• Develop and implement an organisation-wide communications strategy to increase public awareness and strengthen ESF’s identity.
• Support executive and board leadership in building relationships with media representatives, public officials, and key influencers.
• Coordinate communications staff and content contributors to identify stories, develop content, and manage workflows.
• Create and maintain an organisation-wide communications calendar covering campaigns, events, publications, and other activities.
• Work with programme leaders to communicate conservation projects and organisational priorities effectively.
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities for internal and external communications.
• Coordinate communications with partner organisations at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
• Prepare regular reports evaluating communications performance and effectiveness.
• Promote community events, including hikes, lectures, fundraising activities, and Nature Fiesta.
• Ensure communications are accessible, inclusive, and consistent with the organisation’s values.

2. Development and Fundraising

• Collaborate with the Philanthropy team to develop and coordinate donor communications, including fundraising appeals, acknowledgements, donor renewals, and acquisition mailings.
• Support annual fundraising campaigns, including Monterey County Gives.
• Contribute to philanthropic grant applications through writing, editing, messaging, and the development of compelling organisational narratives.
• Help develop case statements that communicate the Foundation’s mission, conservation impact, and funding priorities.
• Monitor donor communications and assess the effectiveness of messaging to improve engagement and fundraising outcomes.

3. Content Production and Editorial Planning

• Lead content strategy and editorial planning across the organisation.
• Write and edit priority communications materials.
• Coordinate staff, contractors, vendors, and other contributors involved in content production.
• Oversee print publications, including the Tidal Exchange newsletter, published three times a year, the annual ESF calendar, marketing materials, and other publications.
• Manage digital content, including website pages, articles, social media, email marketing, and podcasts.
• Ensure content communicates ESF’s work clearly and consistently across different audiences and platforms.

4. Media Relations and Public Relations

• Advise the Executive Director and programme leaders on communications involving emerging or sensitive issues, coordinating with Reserve partners as appropriate.
• Build and maintain relationships with local journalists and media professionals.
• Pitch stories about ESF’s conservation work to local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Arrange site visits for journalists to observe projects and conservation activities.
• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of press releases with organisational leadership and programme teams.
• Publish and maintain an online press kit to support media coverage.

5. Brand Management and Communications Assets

• Maintain and strengthen ESF’s brand identity and visual standards across communication channels.
• Ensure consistent messaging, organisational voice, design standards, and partner branding.
• Organise and maintain media archives, including photographs, videos, and publications.
• Develop and update branding and marketing materials, including logos, style guides, stationery, letterhead, flyers, and other collateral.

Qualifications and Skills

Candidates should demonstrate the following qualifications and competencies:

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, critical thinking, sound judgement, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the diplomacy needed to work with internal teams, organisational partners, journalists, and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in design and visual-content tools, such as Adobe InDesign, as well as photo and video editing software.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels.
• Experience in media relations, public relations, and securing earned media coverage.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate competing priorities, deadlines, and organisation-wide activities.
• Experience managing websites, email marketing platforms, and social media channels.
• Familiarity with communications analytics and using data to evaluate and improve performance.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A valid California driver’s licence and a clean driving record.
• The ability to successfully complete a background check.
• Flexibility to work occasional weekends when required, with advance notice from the supervisor.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a starting annual salary of $75,000-$85,000, depending on experience.

Benefits include:

• Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• A TIAA 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer contribution for participating employees.
• A flexible health spending account.
• Paid holidays and sick leave.
• Two weeks of paid vacation.

Application Process

Priority deadline: 30 October 2026.

The Foundation may close applications earlier if it receives a high volume of qualified applicants. Candidates whose experience and qualifications best match the position will be contacted for interviews.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities.