The Tennessee Wildlife Federation—a leading conservation voice in the state—is hiring a Policy Communications Manager to help shape public understanding and support for key conservation policy priorities.  This role blends policy insight with public relations to influence decision-makers, engage the public, and advance the Federation’s mission to lead the conservation, sound management, and wise use of Tennessee’s wildlife and great outdoors.

Location:  Nashville, TN

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Serve as the Policy Team’s primary contact with the Communications Team.
• Develop content for, and collaborate with the teams to implement communication strategies that effectively convey TWF’s position on legislation, regulations, and conservation priorities, tailoring clear and compelling messages to engage diverse audiences and advance key initiatives.
• Draft and edit policy-related content in a positive conservation voice for diverse platforms, including fact sheets, white papers, blogs, newsletters, press releases, website, blast text messages, broadcast emails, and reports, that generates interest and appeal.
• Effectively translate and communicate TWF’s scientific and conservation research into clear, engaging content that resonates with diverse, non-specialist audiences.
• Develop strategic public messaging on legislation monitored by the Policy Team to support advocacy and organizational objectives.

Media Relations and Public Advocacy 

• Develop and manage communication strategies that support advocacy campaigns, including calls to action, opinion editorials, public comments, surveys, petitions, and stakeholder alerts, and execute these strategies in collaboration with the Communications Team.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with media outlets across Tennessee, including the Capitol Hill press corps, regional news outlets as well as national media relevant to conservation, policy, and sporting audiences.
• Proactively pitch stories that highlight TWF’s legislative and conservation initiatives to generate impactful earned media coverage.
• Manage media inquiries and provide coordinated responses that reflect the organization’s messaging and policy priorities.
• Plan and manage press events, briefings, and op-ed placements that reinforce key advocacy campaigns.
• Monitor media coverage and develop rapid-response communications when necessary.
• Integrate legislative advocacy objectives into broader public affairs and media strategies to ensure consistent, policy-driven messaging across earned, owned, and shared channels.
• Translate complex policy topics into clear, compelling content for broad public understanding.
• Prepare staff for speaking engagements with a variety of media outlets with approved topic list, speaking points, call to actions, etc.
• Collaborate with Policy Team to ensure timely dissemination of key updates to stakeholders, the public, and media sources.
• Support event promotion and coverage for legislative briefings, advocacy days, and community outreach initiatives.
• Draft press releases, op-eds, and talking points highlighting research breakthroughs, institutional milestones, and expert perspectives and work with communications team to distribute to the appropriate audiences.

Digital Engagement

• Create written copy and oversee creation of high-quality assets for digital platforms, print materials, newsletters, and campaigns.
• Monitor policy-related conversations, news trends to inform messaging, and engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with other departments to amplify policy changes through storytelling and digital engagement.

Additional Duties:

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously ensuring timely and effective completion.
• Represent Tennessee Wildlife Federation during community projects and at public, social, and business gatherings as needed.
• Occasional travel within Tennessee to cover assignments as directed.  A valid TN driver’s license including a good motor vehicle record, and appropriate automobile insurance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to distill complex topics into a form that is easily digestible by the general public.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge of government processes and regulations.
• Understanding of conservation issues and challenges.
• Ability to articulate the benefits and values of mission-driven work.
• Proven ability to be flexible, work cooperatively, and build productive relationships at all organizational levels.
• Professional and friendly.  Able to handle the day-to-day ups and downs with efficiency, attention to detail, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to work independently and within a collaborative, team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and shift priorities quickly and unexpectedly.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to reject setbacks and enthusiastically persist until goals are achieved.
• Resourceful and innovative at tackling challenges in a timely manner.
• Approaches work from the Federation’s point of view rather than personal point of view.
• Must have a passion for the Federation’s mission.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public policy, political science, environmental studies, or related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience in communications, public relations, policy or advocacy.  Nonprofit or public sector experience preferred.
• Background in conservation public policy, wildlife conservation, or experience with a state or federal natural resource agency is a plus.
• Proficient across Microsoft Office 365 and Google Suite, and content creation tools.  Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite and WordPress website management is a plus.