Strategic Communications Lead

Latino Outdoors; Watsonville (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Life insurance

TIAA 403(b) retirement plan with 5% em

Flexible health spending account

Paid holidays and sick time

Two weeks’ paid vacation

Job summary

Elkhorn Slough Foundation seeks a Communications Manager to lead cross-organizational communications, coordinate a comprehensive strategy, and support fundraising and donor engagement. You will manage content production, media relations, and branding across programs, reporting to the Executive Director.

The role collaborates with the Philanthropy team to advance campaigns, grants, and audience growth while ensuring accessibility and alignment with ESF values.

Qualifications

• Highly organized and detail-oriented; strong problem-solving and judgment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
• Proficiency with design and visual-content tools such as Adobe InDesign and editing.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels, including media relations.
• Strong project management; ability to coordinate across programs and deadlines.
• Experience managing digital platforms (web, email, social) and using analytics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an integrated, organization-wide communications strategy.
• Support leadership in cultivating relationships with media, officials, and influencers.
• Coordinate staff involved in communications and content production.
• Develop and manage an organization-wide communications calendar.
• Collaborate with program leads to communicate their work to communities.
• Identify opportunities and respond to internal and external communications needs.
• Coordinate with ESF partners and prepare leadership reports on strategy effectiveness.
• Promote events to engage community members and amplify ESF’s work.
• Ensure content is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with ESF tone and values.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Adobe InDesign

Photo editing

Video editing

Content strategy

Project management

Digital communications

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Position Summary: Communications Manager

The Communications Manager serves as a cross-organizational leader, providing strategic communications guidance and coordinating communications priorities across programs while leading the Comms team.

As the Elkhorn Slough Reserve’s nonprofit partner, Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) works in close collaboration with Reserve staff and agency partners. The Communications Manager plays a key role in that partnership, coordinating communications and promoting the Reserve’s work to local and regional audiences.

The Communications Manager also works in close collaboration with the Philanthropy team to support organizational fundraising, donor cultivation, grant application development, and audience growth.

This position reports to and works closely with the Executive Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY

• Develop and implement an integrated, organization-wide communications strategy to broaden awareness and strengthen Elkhorn Slough’s identity across key audiences.
• Support executive and board leadership in cultivating and enhancing meaningful relationships with targeted external audiences, including media, public officials, and key influencers.
• Regularly convene staff involved in communications and content production to identify opportunities, develop potential content, and coordinate workflow.
• Develop and manage an organization-wide communications calendar to coordinate content, campaigns, events, publications, and other communications across programs and channels.
• Collaborate with program leads to understand their respective focus areas and effectively communicate their work to the community and key audiences.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities.
• Communicate and coordinate with ESF’s partner organizations at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
• Prepare regular reports for leadership and the Communications team on the effectiveness of communications strategies.
• Promote events (e.g., hikes, lectures, fundraisers, Nature Fiesta, etc.) to engage community members and amplify the organization’s work.
• Ensure content is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the organization’s tone and values.

DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING

Collaborate with Philanthropy team to support organizational fundraising functions, including:

• Donor communications— help plan, produce, and ensure high-quality donor appeals, acknowledgments, renewals, and acquisition mailings; support annual campaigns such as Monterey County Gives.
• Philanthropic grants— support philanthropic grant development through messaging, writing, editing, and development of compelling organizational narratives and case statements.
• Donor engagement—help measure, track, and refine messaging effectiveness.

CONTENT PRODUCTION

Lead content strategy and editorial planning; write and edit priority content; and coordinate staff, contractors, vendors, and other contributors in producing:

• Print publications, including tri-annual newsletter Tidal Exchange; annual ESF calendar; all marketing collateral; and other materials.
• Online publications, including all web pages, articles, and other content; social media; email marketing; podcasts.

MEDIA OUTREACH & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Increase Elkhorn Slough’s visibility and public profile by:

• Advising the Executive Director and program leadership on communications related to emerging or sensitive issues in coordination with partners at Elkhorn Slough Reserve.
• Cultivating ongoing relationships with local journalists
• Pitching stories to local, regional, and national outlets.
• Inviting journalists on-site to see work in progress.
• Planning & coordinating news releases with leadership and program leads.
• Publishing and maintaining online press kit.

ASSETS & BRANDING

• Serve as steward of ESF’s brand and visual identity, ensuring consistent application of messaging, voice, visual standards, and partner identities across communications channels.
• Manage and organize media archives (photo, video, publications, etc.)
• Develop, maintain, and improve brand & marketing collateral (logo, style guide, stationery & letterhead, flyers, etc.)

Qualifications

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the judgment and diplomacy to work effectively across programs, organizational partners, media, and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with design and visual-content tools, such as Adobe InDesign, as well as photo and video editing.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels, including media relations and earned media.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines and coordinate work across the organization.
• Experience managing digital communications platforms, including websites, email marketing, and social media; familiarity with communications analytics and using data to assess effectiveness.

Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Successful completion of a background check
• Occasional weekend work as needed, with ample notice provided by supervisor

Compensation

ESF offers a competitive starting salary of $75-85,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Elkhorn Slough Foundation offers employer paid health, dental, and vision benefits, and life insurance. In addition, we offer TIAA 403(b) retirement plan benefits with a 5% employer contribution for participating employees, a flexible health spending account, paid holidays and sick time, and two weeks’ paid vacation.

How to Apply

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit their resume and cover letter before October 30, however, we may close the application period early if we receive a high number of qualified applicants. Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for interviews. No calls, please.

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, to apply.