ID: 2019-3910

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 23 state offices, 41 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 50 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director and Vice President of Audubon Pennsylvania, The Campaign and Communications Manager holds primary responsibility for state-level communications around policy and conservation priorities to Audubon members, the public, and key decision makers for Audubon PA. In that role, and in coordination with counterparts in the Audubon network such as communications staff at Audubon headquarters, the Campaign and Communications Manager develops state-based campaign and communications strategies for Audubon’s priority issues, frames messages, develops content, develops earned and digital media strategies, and maximizes use of marketing tools including print and digital media. S/he will work closely with the news media and relevant news outlets to deliver Audubon’s conservation message and to engage constituencies and donors.

Essential Functions

•Develop and implement campaign and communications plans, messaging guidance, and media training for Audubon’s priority issue campaigns, including but not limited to state and federal conservation agendas;

•Ghost write OpEds, speeches, email copy, and other thought-leadership materials for senior leadership;

•Engage Audubon members across PA on local, state and national conservation issues—primarily policy driven;

•Engage a variety of stakeholders, including recruiting and training volunteer leaders and staff on campaign and communications skills and strategies, as well as coaching chapter leaders, and volunteers to become effective spokespeople for the organization;

•Draft press releases, editorials, media pitches, statements and talking points that publicize and support Audubon’s mission and goals;

•Secure local, regional and national earned media for Audubon PA initiatives and conservation priorities. Coordinate with Media Relations team at national headquarter.

•Implement digital communications for PA including social media accounts and website;

•Ensure Audubon’s strategic imperative of equity, diversity and inclusion is included in messaging;

•Consult with key leaders, design and manage priority policy campaigns in PA, including setting goals, strategy, targets, tactics, establishing messaging and media needs, work plans and timelines;

•Coordinate and execute grassroots and grasstops tactics to advance campaign objective;

•Work closely with the state and national campaigns team to develop long-term strategic plans for building power and advancing our climate and other policy priorities at the local, state and ultimately the federal level;

•Lead and/or represent Audubon in coalition work;

•Build new and leverage strong, strategic relationships with a diverse set of instate organizations needed to advance the policy campaign;

•Track and monitor campaigns. Provide regular updates to leadership on campaign progress and outputs, such as letters to the editor, outreach activities, in-district meetings, etc.

Qualifications and Experience

•Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant area as well as 5-7 years’ professional experience with campaign organizing, public relations, project management and/or advocacy required. Superior communication and interpersonal skills a must; ability to work with multiple stakeholder groups across a decentralized organization also necessary;

•Strong leadership skills and experience managing and mentoring volunteer groups;

•Excellent writing skills with a knack for online communications and messaging required;

•Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and obvious ability to easily learn how to use tools to manage online communications tools.

•Experience using media databases such as Cision, Vocus or Meltwater strongly preferred;

•Proficiency with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram;

•A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to travel, as needed, and participate in programs occurring after typical business hours;

•Strong personal presence and demonstrated interest in wildlife conservation and the mission of the National Audubon Society;

•Spanish-language proficiency and experience working with diverse media outlets are strongly preferred.

Apply: http://www.audubon.org/careers

Please mention how you learned of this opening.