Director of Communications

Texas Water Foundation; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contribution

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

Texas Water Foundation seeks a Director of Communications to lead storytelling strategy and communications design during a transformational period. You will guide conversations around water policy in Texas as part of the leadership team.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial leader with success in planning and evolving communications strategies, preferably in the nonprofit or policy space, blending long-range thinking with nimble execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public affairs, English, or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in a communications role, preferably in nonprofit or policy field
• Equal skill in planning proactively and responding nimbly to changing circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly/succinctly for different purposes on complex topics
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and tactical level
• Eye for design
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated success in managing and prioritizing multiple, complex projects
• Desire to be part of an evolving organization and contribute to its growth/reputation
• Strong commitment to a collaborative, team-oriented organizational culture
• Commitment to the mission and vision of Texas Water Foundation
• Commitment to professional execution of programs and integrity
• Graphics program experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage external communications strategy across multi-media channels.
• Develop and implement policy-driven communications strategies with staff.
• Gather stories, data, and testimonials and systematize data storage.
• Collaborate with design partners on rebranding vision and strategy.
• Ensure all materials adhere to brand guidelines and messaging.
• Create content and increase audience engagement on social channels.
• Design and manage website content to be compelling and navigable.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of communications efforts and report results.
• Develop and manage the communications calendar and events.
• Manage Communications department budget.
• Collaborate on development-focused communications.
• Partner with development to create impact dashboards.
• Oversee media relations and draft press materials, op-eds, editorials.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Writing clearly

Ability to respond quickly

Team collaboration

Design sense

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/related field

Tools

Graphics software

Job description

The Opportunity: The Director of Communications has the unique opportunity to initiate this new role at TWF. As a member of the leadership team, they will lead TWF's storytelling strategy and design during a transformational time for the organization, helping guide and standardize the conversation around water and water policy in Texas.

Ideal Candidate: Entrepreneurial leader with demonstrated success in planning, executing, and evolving effective communications strategies preferably in the policy or non-profit space. The ideal Director of Communications blends strategic, long-range thinking with the ability to respond nimbly and effectively in a fast-paced field.

Job Title: Director of Communications Location: Austin, Texas Reports To: Chief Executive Officer FLSA Status: [Exempt]

ABOUT TWF

Texas Water Foundation (TWF) is a statewide, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to lead Texas into a secure water future. Established in 1998, its original objective was to raise public awareness among all Texans regarding the vital role water plays in our daily lives. Today, Texas Water Foundation’s work is focused on water policy, workforce and leadership initiatives, and a statewide water campaign. Read the strategic plan here.

THE ROLE OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

The Opportunity: The Director of Communications has the unique opportunity to initiate this new role at TWF. As a member of the leadership team, they will lead TWF's storytelling strategy and design during a transformational time for the organization, helping guide and standardize the conversation around water and water policy in Texas.

Ideal Candidate: Entrepreneurial leader with demonstrated success in planning, executing, and evolving effective communications strategies preferably in the policy or non-profit space. The ideal Director of Communications blends strategic, long-range thinking with the ability to respond nimbly and effectively in a fast-paced field.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and manage TWF’s external communications strategy, across multi-media channels (social, email, web, blog) to highlight TWF impact to increase fundraising and program outreach. This includes drafting and editing policy briefs, as well as marketing emails, website content, blog posts, and communication collateral.
• Working with policy staff, develop and implement policy-driven communications strategies. Develop public-facing marketing materials, educational resources, press materials, etc.
• Collaborate with program staff to gather stories, data, and testimonials and systematize how that data is stored.
• Work with design partners to lead the rebranding vision, development, and strategy.
• Ensure that all communication materials adhere to brand guidelines and convey TWF’s values and messaging.
• Create content and increase audience engagement on TWF’s social media channels.
• Design and manage the TWF website content to ensure that it is consistent, compelling, and navigable.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication efforts and adjust strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes. Compile regular reporting of campaign performance and results.
• Develop and manage the organization’s communications calendar, ensuring dissemination of publications and promotion of events.
• Manage Communications department budget.
• Collaborate on development-focused communications.
• Partner with development to lead vision and creation of impact dashboard.
• Oversee media relations strategies, including pitching to media, drafting press releases, op-eds and editorials, managing media contacts, and tracking media coverage.
• Collaborate with Director of Water Policy to create strategic policy communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public affairs, English, or related field preferred
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in a communications role, preferably in nonprofit or policy field
• Equal skill in planning proactively and responding nimbly to changing circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly/succinctly for different purposes on complex topics
• Ability to operate at both a strategic and tactical level
• Eye for design
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated success in managing and prioritizing multiple, complex projects
• Desire to be part of an evolving organization and contribute to its growth/reputation
• Strong commitment to a collaborative, team-oriented organizational culture
• Commitment to the mission and vision of Texas Water Foundation
• Commitment to professional execution of programs and integrity
• Graphics program experience a plus

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this position is $90,000-$100,000 annually. Texas Water Foundation is proud to offer opportunities for growth as well as a generous benefits package including health insurance, retirement contribution, and paid time off including maternity/paternity leave. TWF is currently working in a hybrid working environment.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status or any other legally protected status.