Communications Specialist

Position Summary:

The Communications Specialist leads GTMA’s communications and marketing efforts to engage and grow our supporter base, strategically advance our campaigns and support fundraising necessary to protect, connect and steward the lands and wildlife of the Badger-Two Medicine and surrounding Crown of the Continent ecosystem. The position, in collaboration with the executive director and other program staff, will develop strategy and messaging for the organization as well as for specific campaigns and fundraising. The Communications Specialist will then create, or coordinate, written, visual or audio content for dissemination through various platforms, including print, social media, website, traditional media, non-traditional media, and via partners, with a strong emphasis on visual communications and storytelling. The Communications Specialist will also help coordinate media coverage and earned media stories that advance campaigns.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Communications and Outreach – (~75%)

Strategy, Messaging, and Brand

• Work closely with GTMA staff to develop robust, integrated communications and marketing strategies and messaging to advance GTMA’s mission, campaigns, and fundraising.
• Help develop a strong, positive brand identity that incorporates our values and core commitments, and ensures consistency of brand across materials, platforms, and channels.
• Track and report on communications performance, and identify practices or technologies to improve effectiveness.

Writing and Content Development

• Develop, often in collaboration with other staff, original written, visual, or digital content for email marketing, social media, blog posts, website, printed newsletters, annual reports, brochures, traditional media, or other longer form, content-rich storytelling projects, including written, visual or audio formats.
• Design and disseminate marketing materials for events, programs, or retail.
• Take and edit photo, video, or audio content for various communication projects and materials.
• Manage our digital assets for easy use in communications and promotional materials.
• Coordinate contractors for more substantial projects, as needed or desired.

Manage Communications

• Schedule and maintain GTMA’s communications calendar across all channels, and work with staff to schedule and develop communication campaigns that advance programmatic goals throughout the year.
• Manage and develop GTMA’s email marketing capabilities and help grow subscriber numbers; maintain the email marketing database and monitor compliance.
• Manage and grow GTMA’s social media presence and online community, including on existing and new channels.
• Coordinate website updates and SEO with our web designer.
• Manage periodic mailings to our membership list.
• Manage audio and visual equipment needs to enhance GTMA’s communications capabilities, or support virtual or hybrid events or meetings.

Media Relations

• Coordinate media relations, including managing media contacts or press inquiries, and develop relationships with reporters and media outlets.
• Lead or assist with creating, editing and disseminating materials to the media, such as press releases or statements, and coordinating press calls or events.
• Work with executive director, staff, partners or community members to write, edit, and place op/eds, letters to the editor or other earned media stories to advance campaigns.
• Maintain archive of news coverage.

Development and Outreach Support – (~25%)

Development

• Assist the executive director with developing fundraising appeals or donor acknowledgements, including written mailings or digital materials.
• Coordinate fundraising mailings.
• Assist with developing or expanding donor stewardship practices and fundraising materials to better inform and inspire donors, including greater utilization of visual storytelling.

Outreach

• Periodically assist with community outreach by representing GTMA at public gatherings or community events.
• Work with executive director to identify and schedule opportunities for him, or other staff, speak or participate in external events that offer strategic exposure to GTMA or our campaigns.

Other Duties

• Carry out additional duties as assigned or necessary.