Communications Manager

The Communications Manager (CM) implements Blue Water Baltimore's communications strategy to build brand awareness and engage existing and new audiences. The CM writes content for print and digital purposes, conducts interviews and gathers stories, manages social media presence, and serves as the primary storyteller for BWB. The CM communicates BWB's messaging via engaging, brand-aligned content and develops creative ways to demonstrate our organizational presence through digital and print strategies.

Requirements

Communications Strategy

* Develop and maintain familiarity with Blue Water Baltimore's projects, focal areas, advocacy issues, and strategic plan in order to develop interesting, informative, and innovative ways to communicate our work and engage audiences

* Collaborate with the Senior Director of Advancement on the creation of annual and campaign-based strategic communications plans

* Collaborate with the Advancement team on strategy for appeals and fundraising campaigns

* Develop and maintain audience personas to focus communications to priority communities, including volunteers, donors, and community leaders

* Support the Herring Run Nursery in designing marketing strategies to engage customers

Content Creation and Management

* Develop and execute innovative content to explain BWB's work, share advocacy and event information, and engage audiences in calls to action

* Write and design flyers, social media posts, email newsletters, website pages, blog posts, and informational materials

* Proactively seek out, gather, and manage stories, photos, quotes, and other storytelling material

* Work with the Senior Director of Advancement and colleagues to develop press releases, written statements, opinion editorials, and letters-to-the-editor to actively place Blue Water Baltimore's messaging and policy positions in the media

* Contribute writing to the Annual Report and other major publications

* Monitor social media channels to answer questions and respond to messages and comments

* Assess the success of communications, especially social media, based on performance metrics.

Marketing

* Execute marketing plan to increase the number of volunteers, donors, pollution reporters, and policy advocates

* Co-create and implement Herring Run Nursery's marketing plan to increase sales, customer visits, and brand awareness

* Optimize campaigns using Mailchimp, Meta Business Suite, and Google Analytics, and track metrics to report back to staff and board

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Candidates will be asked to submit work samples to demonstrate skills and prior experience.

* Three years of experience creating content (writing), managing social media campaigns, using content management systems, and website maintenance

* Demonstrated ability to write timely, high-quality, medium-appropriate copy

* Demonstrated experience running social media channels (including Facebook and Instagram), and experience using Meta Business or other scheduling tools to manage and schedule content, engage audiences, and analyze results with an eye toward optimization

* Demonstrated experience with website content management systems, preferably Word Press or Squarespace, and email marketing software, preferably Mailchimp

* Demonstrated graphic design experience in Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite

* Demonstrated experience telling compelling, clear stories about varied topics

* A proactive, solutions-oriented, independent working style, and comfortable with creative problem solving

* Adaptable communication style with attention to cultural differences and respect for others' lived experiences

* Ability to work some nights and weekends, to attend and support events hosted by BWB and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience creating and/or implementing marketing strategies with specific growth goals

* Experience creating and deploying paid content on social media platforms

* Experience implementing and utilizing Google Analytics

* Experience deploying Google Ads

* Familiarity with Baltimore City neighborhoods

* Professional or volunteer experience working closely with nonprofit program staff to creatively tell stories, engage volunteers and community partners, and highlight impacts.

Competencies and Success Factors

* Clear, appropriate written and verbal communication

* Independent problem solving

* Humility and willingness to ask for help

* Successful collaboration and team leadership

* Time management and independent prioritization

* Diligence and consistency

* Follow-through and accountability

Working Conditions

This position requires frequent travel to community events, field work sites, and meetings throughout Baltimore City and County. A car or other reliable form of transportation is necessary. This role is 100% work-from-home, with frequent opportunities for team co-working and in-person meetings. Only local candidates will be considered.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly…