Communications Specialist; Oatlands

Overview

Situated on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Manahoac and Piscataway, Oatlands is located in Leesburg, Virginia. Established in 1798 as a plantation and site of enslavement, Oatlands initially encompassed 3,408 acres and produced wheat in addition to running grist and sawmills. Over 154 years of private ownership, the property was reduced in size and its mansion repurposed as a boarding house, a summer home and girls’ school.

Today, Oatlands consists of natural spaces, cultivated acreage, gardens and 28 buildings, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Oatlands is centered in its Natural Lands—its larger landscape open for the benefit all, encouraging awareness of our shared world. It is grounded in History—valuing and lifting the voices of all who have shaped and been shaped by this historic site. And it is dedicated to Scholarship, for only in the active pursuit of knowledge can we sustainably forward the significance and relevance of this important historic site.

Oatlands seeks a strategic, creative, and self-directed Communications Specialist to shape and execute the site’s communications and marketing efforts. This is a regular, year-round, part-time position that is eligible for benefits. The expectation is that the person in this role will work 20-25 hours per week at an hourly rate of $25.34

As the primary communications professional for Oatlands, this individual will plan and implement initiatives that increase attendance, membership, rentals, fundraising support, and overall community engagement. The Communications Specialist also serves as the primary media contact in coordination with the Executive Director and supports messaging for community and member campaigns as well as special events.

This role offers autonomy and ownership within a highly collaborative environment. Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership, the Communications Specialist helps establish communications goals. Staff across departments contribute program details, historical expertise, photography, and event assets, creating a supportive, team-oriented foundation for communications success.

The Communications Specialist serves as a storyteller who brings Oatlands’ history, programs, and events to the public with clarity, consistency, and impact.

Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support events or represent Oatlands externally. Regular on-site presence is expected for content capture and cross-team coordination. Remote work is permitted with demonstrated ability to independently execute deliverables, manage deadlines, and maintain consistent communication with leadership and staff.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership to establish annual communications goals aligned with institutional priorities and revenue targets.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan that includes benchmarks for audience growth, attendance, membership, fundraising campaigns, rentals, and digital engagement.
• Provide regular analytics reports and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Monitor and strengthen Oatlands’ visibility in regional media and community publications. This includes writing and distributing press releases for programs, exhibitions, preservation initiatives, and institutional announcements, as well as pitching stories to local, regional, and relevant national media outlets.
• Plan and execute social media posts that support attendance, fundraising, and community engagement goals.
• Write, design, and send a weekly email newsletter highlighting upcoming programs, institutional news, fundraising initiatives, and community engagement opportunities.
• Maintain and grow the organization’s email list and engagement metrics.
• Ensure all programs and events are listed on relevant local and regional community calendars and tourism platforms.
• Maintain relationships with local promotional partners.
• Produce promotional materials for events and programs, coordinating with external designers or printers as needed.
• Ensure consistency in branding, tone, visual identity, and alignment with National Trust for Historic Preservation…