Senior Manager of Communications

Love nature? Then you’re going to love The Nat.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) was founded by amateur naturalists in 1874 and has played a major role in the conversation of our region. The Museum recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and completed a strategic plan focused on encouraging a love for nature, levering science and collections for conservation, and using our own voice to be here for nature.

The Senior Manager of Communications at the San Diego Natural History Museum bolsters our mission to preserve nature and biodiversity in this amazing place we call home.

This is a senior-level position that plays a leadership role in how The Nat communicates with the world. As part of our strategic plan to serve as a leader in regional conservation, this role will help raise awareness of the museum’s research, programs, and mission to connect people with nature in our region.

Part publicist, part editorial director, part science storyteller, the Senior Manager of Communications will oversee the museum’s content strategy and communications calendar across all departments and platforms. This person will manage media announcements around scientific discoveries, exhibit openings, educational programs, and institutional news; guide communications campaigns centered around research, community science, nature phenomena, and museum-wide initiatives; and develop and implement marketing plans for diverse programming and events. 

This role will also supervise a Digital Content Manager who leads most social media, enewsletter, and copywriting efforts related to exhibitions, films, events, and public programs. 

This is a key leadership position within the museum’s Communications & Marketing department.

Your Day-to-Day Work

Strategic Communications Leadership (30%)

• Develop and manage the museum-wide content strategy and editorial calendar, determining what stories get told, where they get promoted, when they get promoted, and on what platforms
• Identify opportunities for institution-wide communications campaigns and news stories that support organizational priorities
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration to ensure cohesive messaging and strategic prioritization of communications efforts
• Supervise and mentor the Digital Content Manager, providing guidance on social media strategy, enewsletter campaigns, and content development

Science Communications (30%)

• Take complex scientific concepts and develop them into accessible and compelling stories across a variety of media and platforms, including but not limited to blogs, web pages, enewsletters, social media posts, videos, and media pitches
• Plan and execute communications and marketing plans for outdoor programs and science events like the City Nature Challenge, Canyoneer hikes, and the State of Biodiversity Symposium
• Support communications efforts for conservation partnerships and collaborative initiatives
• Write and project-manage email newsletters focused on outdoor programs, science news, nature news, and relevant institutional updates
• Occasionally report from the field with our scientists to tell unique stories about our research and to gather multimedia (photos and video footage) for various uses

Media Relations & Public Relations (25%)

• Generate media coverage for the museum’s research, programs, and exhibits by developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key science, lifestyle, and business reporters
• Write press materials, pitch media, develop media kits, craft key messages, and media-train spokespeople
• Manage media relationships and coordinate interview opportunities, serving as a museum spokesperson when needed

Editorial Leadership & Project Management (15%)

• Serve as a key part of the Museum’s editorial team, which includes writing institutional materials like brochures and annual reports as well as copy-editing materials written by other departments
• Maintain editorial standards and brand voice across all museum communications
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and report on multiple projects simultaneously, often under tight time constraints
• Other projects as assigned/required

What You Bring

Experience & Strategic Leadership

• 6+ years of experience in communications, science communications, environmental education, marketing, or a related field, with demonstrated progressive responsibility
• Experience managing staff and mentoring team members
• Strategic thinker who can develop and manage complex content calendars and prioritize competing needs across departments
• Able to prioritize, manage-up, and adhere to deadlines while keeping track of multiple projects simultaneously
• Comfortable toggling between big picture strategic work and smaller projects with quick turnarounds
• Bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.S. in biology, environmental science, or B.A. in communications, journalism, or marketing), or equivalent experience

Writing, Storytelling & Technical Skills

• Superior creative writing and storytelling skills, with a mastery of AP style
• Demonstrated success in writing materials that are equally compelling in long formats (e.g., a press release or blog) as they are in short formats (e.g., an Instagram post or short video)
• Strong editorial judgment and copy-editing skills
• Adept at taking complex scientific concepts and making them accessible to diverse audiences with varying levels of knowledge about natural history
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, trends, and opportunities
• Experience developing and publishing web content using CMS systems and email marketing platforms; UI/UX knowledge and video editing experience a plus
• Adept at Microsoft Office suite

Knowledge & Interpersonal Skills

• You’ll be a science pro with great communications chops, or a fabulous communicator with a robust understanding of science
• Collegial and able to communicate clearly, concisely, and diplomatically in written and spoken language with a wide range of people
• Knowledge of our region’s unique biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and local environmental organizations
• You’ll love to dig deep, ask questions, look past the obvious, and find new ways to engage and connect with people and stimulate their curiosity, because that’s at the core of what we do
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred in order to connect with our region’s diverse communities and our numerous colleagues on the Baja California Peninsula

The Senior Manager of Communications reports to the Senior Director of Communications & Exhibits, supervises the Digital Content Manager (and occasional interns/apprentices), and liaises with many internal departments, including Research, Learning and Engagement, and Philanthropy. 

Pay: $71,000 annually. 

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums, and more.