Director, Communications

~ The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations. ~

The Conservancy creates green spaces and gardens, contributing to the vitality of our cities and towns, and preserves Fallingwater, a symbol of people living in harmony with nature.

Position Overview

The Director of Communications oversees Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's public relations and marketing activities including print, electronic and Web communications, publications production, and media relations activities for the purpose of enhancing the Conservancy's local, regional and national identity.

This position reports directly to the Vice President, Institutional Advancement.

Responsibilities 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Conservancy and works closely with the president and vice president for institutional advancement to develop organizational messages, position statements and responses.
• Assumes responsibility for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all internal and external communication. Includes the development and delivery of the organizational message through written, spoken and electronic communication. Personally participates in formulating and delivering the organizational message by writing and/or editing news releases, magazines, newsletters, etc. and directing media relations.
• Oversees ongoing maintenance of the Conservancy's website, Intranet and other electronic communications tools.
• Establishes and maintains the Organization's graphic identity and assists in the development of new publications and in the maintenance of existing publications.
• Serves as liaison with outside consultants/vendors providing communication-related services to the department.
• Ensures that all organizational communication is accurate, timely, supports the mission of the Conservancy and is in compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Supervises a communications team and carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the Conservancy's policies, programs, and procedures.
• Responsibilities include development and administration of communication-related budgetary information; recommending and/or approving staff changes or actions; ensuring appropriate training and staff development; providing advice and guidance on the more complex aspects of the job; and resolving complaints or related staff issues.
• Completes communications budget and operational plans and reviews analyses of activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to determine progress toward stated goals and objectives.
• Maintains an effective system of communication throughout the department and organization.
• Represents and promotes the mission of the Conservancy with donors, members, media, and the public.
• Supports the Conservancy's cost containment and fundraising efforts and needs, as applicable.
• Serves as member of various management committees.
• Performs additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications 

General Expectations:

• The Director of Communications needs to understand and support the communication needs of a conservation organization. He/she will be expected to be a hands-on professional who can work closely with staff across the organization in a positive and productive manner.
• This person will lead by her or his own first-class example. The director will be expected to coordinate the overall communications outreach of the organization to its donors, constituents and friends and to representatives of the local, state and national media. This person will be the media relations contact and will be an innovator in developing creative ideas. He/she will be the organizational-wide defender of institutional graphics and editorial standards.
• The job demands a good listener, morale builder and skilled motivator. This high-energy generalist should be strong in the basics of communications and marketing strategy, with formal training and experience in public relations and/or marketing. The individual will need to exhibit personally the highest in professional standards of writing and design. She or he should blend a sense of humor with candid, straightforward communications skills and have the mature judgment to handle sensitive messages and issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic and professional experience and training, including a bachelor's degree (graduate degree preferred) and three to five years of hands-on, professional experience in directing marketing, communications, public relations, and publications.
• Superb verbal, written and editing skills, a creative mind and the ability to lead the organization in articulating its mission
• Evidence of successful achievements building communication programs and marketing products, activities, services, etc. Nonprofit experience, particularly for an environmental/conservation organization preferred
• Supervisory experience (four years or more preferred) in managing creative professionals, allocating resources, hiring personnel, setting priorities, etc
• Appreciation and understanding of the applications of modern computer technology in its several forms of desktop publishing and electronic communications
• Familiarity with marketing research and strategies that will result in achieving the institution's top-priority program goals
• Understanding of and experience in dealing with the news media
• Team-building capabilities to work collegially in an environment of mutual trust and respect
• Knowledge of and the ability to supervise the design and production requirements of first-tier printed and Web-based materials
• Demonstrated commitment to conservation

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your resume and salary expectations. Type "DOC" into the subject line.