Communications Director

Environmental Advocates of New York seeks applicants for the position of Communications Director.

Our mission is to protect our air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. We work to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader.

Environmental Advocates is the primary environmental government watchdog in Albany and a leading voice for conservation, the environment and public health in New York State. Environmental Advocates is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a staff of 13.

Position Overview:

The Communications Director is a full-time exempt position reporting to the Executive Director.  The Communications Director oversees the organization's communications/outreach efforts to diverse audiences including the media, elected officials, our membership, and the general public.

The Communications Director has primary responsibility for telling our story, building the organization's messaging calendar, preparing staff for interviews and speaking opportunities, developing publications and printed materials (most of which are designed in-house), and managing our online communications and social media. In addition to working with our staff, the Communications Director works closely with allied groups on a variety of campaigns.

This is a senior staff position and helps guide the organization's overall direction and budget. The position works closely with all staff to ensure the consistency and quality of Environmental Advocates' message and brand. The Communications Director supervises one full-time staff person.

Responsibilities

Communications Planning & Execution:

• Design and implement a long-term strategic communications plan to ensure organizational visibility and recognition;
• Manage the organization's outreach calendar with assistance from program, membership, and development staff in order to achieve our goals and continue to grow the organization's reputation and brand;
• Work with program staff to create and execute issue-specific communications campaigns designed to support the organization's environmental policy goals;
• Work with development staff to determine how to market Environmental Advocates to prospective members, donors, and other potential financial supporters;
• Identify underwriting support for publications, pro bono service providers, and donated services and supplies to support communications efforts; and
• Track and measure the effectiveness of our communications efforts, and document effectiveness in regular reports.

Media Relations:

• Understand the news cycle, particularly as it relates to New York State policy-making, and be prepared to engineer media moments as opportunities arise or as circumstances require;
• Maintain relationships with reporters, editorial writers, and other members of the media. Ensure Environmental Advocates of New York continues to serve as a valuable resource in the state capital;
• Serve as the first point of contact for all media inquiries;
• Work with staff to ensure they are effective spokespeople; and
• Plan and execute reactive and proactive media outreach strategies in order to secure high profile media coverage.

Internet Communications

• Oversee eany as well as various campaign-specific sites;
• Lead our social media outreach via Facebook, Twitter, and staff blogs;
• Facilitate the development of content communicated through Convio, our online outreach platform, which we use to reach and activate more than 11,000 online members; and
• Work with development staff to engage our online members, involve them in our work, and inspire them to become financial supporters.

Qualifications: 

• At least 7 years of experience in journalism, public relations, or strategic communications;
• Bachelor's degree;
• Good story teller with exceptional writing and editing skills;
• Ability to communicate and design communications for a variety of audiences and across a variety of on- and off-line communications platforms;
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy;
• Know how to work effectively with outside vendors and printers;
• Good problem-solver with excellent time-management skills;
• Ability to triage and prioritize;
• A 24/7 mentality and willingness to work nontraditional hours when needed; and
• A strong desire to build public support and power for protecting New York's environment.

To Apply:

Please email your resume or CV, cover letter, list of references, and a writing sample to Robert Moore, Executive Director.

Include in the subject line "Communications Director" Only email submissions will be accepted.  Please do not mail application materials. No phone calls please.