Communications Specialist (Oatlands)

National Trust for Historic Preservation; Leesburg (VA); On-site; USD 28,799 - 41,017; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid parental leave

3+ weeks of vacation

Job summary

A historic preservation organization based in Leesburg, Virginia, seeks a part-time Communications Specialist to lead its communications and marketing efforts. This role involves planning initiatives to boost attendance, membership, and community engagement. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing skills and experience in managing social media platforms. This position is eligible for benefits and allows remote work while requiring regular attendance on-site. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Qualifications

• At least 1+ years of professional experience in communications or marketing.
• Demonstrated competence using Microsoft Office, SharePoint and OneDrive.
• Experience in a nonprofit, museum, historic site, or cultural institution is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan.
• Provide regular analytics reports and strategic recommendations.
• Manage social media platforms and email marketing campaigns.

Skills

Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills

Social media management

Project management

Cultural competency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field

Tools

Outlook

Adobe Creative Suite

Facebook

Instagram

Job description

Overview

Situated on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Manahoac and Piscataway, Oatlands is located in Leesburg, Virginia. Established in 1798 as a plantation and site of enslavement, Oatlands initially encompassed 3,408 acres and produced wheat in addition to running grist and sawmills. Over 154 years of private ownership, the property was reduced in size and its mansion repurposed as a boarding house, a summer home and girls’ school.

Today, Oatlands consists of natural spaces, cultivated acreage, gardens and 28 buildings, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Oatlands is centered in its Natural Lands—its larger landscape open for the benefit all, encouraging awareness of our shared world. It is grounded in History—valuing and lifting the voices of all who have shaped and been shaped by this historic site. And it is dedicated to Scholarship, for only in the active pursuit of knowledge can we sustainably forward the significance and relevance of this important historic site.

JOB SUMMARY

Oatlands seeks a strategic, creative, and self-directed Communications Specialist to shape and execute the site’s communications and marketing efforts. This is a regular, year-round, part-time position that is eligible for benefits. The expectation is that the person in this role will work 20-25 hours per week at an hourly rate of $25.34

As the primary communications professional for Oatlands, this individual will plan and implement initiatives that increase attendance, membership, rentals, fundraising support, and overall community engagement. The Communications Specialist also serves as the primary media contact in coordination with the Executive Director and supports messaging for community and member campaigns as well as special events.

This role offers autonomy and ownership within a highly collaborative environment. Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership, the Communications Specialist helps establish communications goals. Staff across departments contribute program details, historical expertise, photography, and event assets, creating a supportive, team-oriented foundation for communications success.

The Communications Specialist serves as a storyteller who brings Oatlands’ history, programs, and events to the public with clarity, consistency, and impact.

Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support events or represent Oatlands externally. Regular on-site presence is expected for content capture and cross-team coordination. Remote work is permitted with demonstrated ability to independently execute deliverables, manage deadlines, and maintain consistent communication with leadership and staff.

DUTIES

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to establish annual communications goals aligned with institutional priorities and revenue targets.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan that includes benchmarks for audience growth, attendance, membership, fundraising campaigns, rentals, and digital engagement.
• Provide regular analytics reports and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Monitor and strengthen Oatlands’ visibility in regional media and community publications. This includes writing and distributing press releases for programs, exhibitions, preservation initiatives, and institutional announcements, as well as pitching stories to local, regional, and relevant national media outlets.
• Plan and execute social media posts that support attendance, fundraising, and community engagement goals.
• Write, design, and send a weekly email newsletter highlighting upcoming programs, institutional news, fundraising initiatives, and community engagement opportunities.
• Maintain and grow the organization’s email list and engagement metrics.
• Ensure all programs and events are listed on relevant local and regional community calendars and tourism platforms.
• Maintain relationships with local promotional partners.
• Produce promotional materials for events and programs, coordinating with external designers or printers as needed.
• Ensure consistency in branding, tone, visual identity, and alignment with National Trust for Historic Preservation standards. Maintain a consistent voice aligned with Oatlands’ core themes of Land, History, and Community.
• Translate complex histories into accessible and compelling public narratives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 1+ years of professional experience in communications or marketing.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills. Excellent attention to detail.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Demonstrated ability to independently execute deliverables.
• Experience managing social media platforms and email marketing systems.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments while managing independent workflow.
• Cultural competency is necessary, including the ability to share diverse and difficult histories.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Able to handle unscheduled tasks with accuracy.
• Demonstrated competence using Outlook, Zoom, MS Teams, Microsoft Office, SharePoint and OneDrive, as well as social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
• Basic graphic design proficiency (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar).
• Familiarity with website content management systems and analytics tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field, or equivalent experience are preferred.
• Experience in a nonprofit, museum, historic site, or cultural institution as well as experience supporting fundraising or event marketing campaigns are a plus.

PAY & BENEFITS

This is a regular part-time, non-exempt level position, eligible for full benefits, including health, dental and life insurance, retirement benefits, paid parental leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation, plus sick time and holidays.