Job Title: Communications Manager

Reports to: Director of Marketing and Media Relations 

Want to play your part in protecting our local communities from the impacts of climate change? Ready to roll up your sleeves to help achieve tangible results? Want to be part of a talented, deeply committed, and national award-winning conservation organization? Then please read on! 

Sonoma Land Trust (SLT) is looking for a talented writer and communicator to craft compelling content that inspires engagement, excitement, and support for our mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. As a science-based organization, the Communications Manager brings their familiarity with conservation science, biodiversity loss, and climate change, as well as expertise in translating complex concepts into relatable, impactful narratives for a variety of audiences and communication channels. The Communications Manager plays a critical role in expanding awareness and deepening the community’s connection to land conservation and climate change through hopeful messaging about the restorative power of nature-based solutions for climate change. 

SLT serves a diverse audience with broad cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and orientations. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect and value the audiences and populations we serve. 

You are encouraged to apply if you:  

• Are an excellent writer.
• Have a passion for nature.
• Are organized and efficient in time management.
• Can develop and execute communication strategies in both print and online communications.

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Media Relations, this role is instrumental in fulfilling the department’s strategic plan, which focuses on strengthening communication with broad and diverse audiences on the importance of our mission by developing both long and short-form storytelling. Through field reporting and interviews, the Communications Manager will create content for our monthly eNews, website, marketing campaigns, donor relations and outreach materials, social media channels, and press releases to raise visibility and affinity for our projects and programs. They are skilled project managers who can collaborate with social media contractors to deliver content across six platforms. 
 
A respectful, open-minded, and active listener with a demonstrated command of the written word, they can interview subject matter experts, distill complex messages ranging from science to politics, and convey them to audiences unfamiliar with these concepts while creating authentic connections, building agency, and inspiring action. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Content Creation 

• Develops impactful narratives that highlight SLT’s programs and projects through stories that uplift and build connections with diverse audiences.
• Crafts tailored content for various channels, including blog posts, newsletters, press releases, social media, and website copy, while maintaining the organization’s brand through language and tone of voice.
• Conducts interviews and performs research for stories, ensuring the information is presented accurately, clearly, and consistently across communications pieces.

Social Media 

• Manages the social media program and communications contractors by hosting weekly meetings, monitoring comments, and reviewing monthly metrics reports with a specialist.
• Co-creates with staff and contractors engaging, mission-aligned content, including copywriting, graphics, and multimedia assets for six social channels, five days a week. 
• Collaborating with the Director of Marketing and Media Relations and the communications contractors, this role contributes content ideas to the editorial calendar and takes the lead in producing some of the posts. 

eNews 

• Identifies relevant themes, topics, and storytelling opportunities that align with the organization’s mission, DEI plan, and the community's interests for the monthly eNews editorial calendar. 
• Collaborates with other departments and partners to develop articles for the monthly eNews, conducting interviews with subject matter experts and SLT members. 
• Project manages the production of the eNews and other direct emails, working with a graphic designer, translator, and web team.

Media Relations  

• Builds relationships with journalists, pitches stories, and secures media coverage.
• Collaborate with partners on shared announcements to ensure consistent messaging and strategy.

Project Management  

• Digital Asset Management: Using a digital asset management platform, maintains organizational structure for digital assets, including photography and videos for the marketing and communications department.
• Editing and Proofreading: Reviews written materials by other staff, providing feedback on clarity, accuracy, and brand consistency across communications pieces.
• Fundraising Campaigns: Coordinates closely with the Philanthropy team on creating content in support of fundraising campaigns. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SLT is open to candidates with diverse backgrounds, experience, and transferable skills. We are looking for candidates with the following experience OR the ability to develop skills in each of these categories:  

Essential Qualifications

• Excellent writing and copywriting skills, including demonstrated ability to create engaging emails, social media posts, and materials for fundraising and advocacy.
• An understanding of land conservation, natural systems, and climate science issues.
• Organized and efficient in time management, capable of handling multiple projects with competing priorities and delivering quality products within deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communication strategies, with experience in planning, creating, delivering, and evaluating the effectiveness of both print and online communications.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to communicate and interact effectively with people from diverse cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
• Has a degree in English, communications, marketing, or journalism or has equivalent experience working in a related field with a minimum of five years of writing and content creation experience. 

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proficient with office software, including Microsoft 365, Google Suite, BOX, Canva, and Hootsuite. 
• Experience with email marketing platforms (i.e., Constant Contact, Mailchimp, etc.), graphic design software (i.e., Canva, Illustrator, etc.), and social media platforms. Experience in WordPress is a plus.
• Proactive self-starter who is capable of independently developing solutions to complex problems while effectively collaborating in teams. 
• Ability to make recommendations for process/project or program improvement.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English.

Schedule, Salary & Benefits

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt status). Salary starts at $85,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits include generous employer contributions to medical, dental and vision insurance plans. Employer contribution to retirement plan after 1 year of employment. Paid time off includes 15 paid holidays, paid vacation based on tenure and personal and parental leave in accordance with SLT policies and procedures. 

This position is located at the Sonoma Land Trust office in Santa Rosa, California. Staff are working in a hybrid model. Some field work may be required. 

About Sonoma Land Trust

Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land, with a focus on climate resiliency. The organization is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, the non-profit Land Trust has protected over 60,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and was the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence. For more information, please visit the Sonoma Land Trust website.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment that is representative of the communities we serve. We know that having varied perspectives leads to better outcomes to solve the complex problems of conservation, climate change and environmental justice in Sonoma County. And to best serve the people of our community, we are taking the actions outlined in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan.

Sonoma Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We strive to create a diverse and inclusive organization and encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, national or regional origins, sexes, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status, or other status protected by law.