NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

NRDC is seeking a Southeastern Regional Communications Manager, Media to work with the Communications team in our Washington, D.C. or New York City office.

Position Summary

NRDC is seeking a Southeastern Regional Communications Manager, Media to work with the Communications team from our Washington, D.C. or New York City offices. The position will focus on developing and executing media strategies to advance our legislative, environmental and advocacy priorities in southeastern states, with particular focus on Virginia and North Carolina. The position reports directly to NRDC’s eastern media director to develop proactive communications plans, messaging strategy and press materials that achieve media results, support advocacy goals and promote NRDC’s experts as leaders in local, regional and national environmental policy, litigation, and advocacy space. The position will function within the institution’s media team, working in close coordination with campaigners from NRDC’s Center for Political Advocacy, to elevate NRDC’s profile in these states and attract new supporters and allies to our advocacy efforts. This individual must possess a strong work ethic and commitment to NRDC’s core values and mission. They will identify and work with local, national and sometimes international media outlets and cultivate relationships with reporters, bloggers, editors and other media professionals to publicize and communicate NRDC’s strategic priorities. The Southeastern Regional Communications Manager will also coordinate closely with various coalitions to advance NRDC’s work.

• Manage media operations for targeted state and local campaigns.
• Develop, disseminate, and coordinate with Communications colleagues on production of diverse communication tools, including, but not limited to, press pitches, editorial board memos, press releases, statements, Op-Eds, paid media, and some digital materials.
• Coordinate with Regional Campaign Director on regional campaign efforts.
• Work with Communications, legal, scientific and other advocacy program staff to develop effective message and communications strategies.
• Develop key relationships with press and secure top tier media hits.
• Respond in real time to media inquiries on a range of issues.
• Drive coordination and development of emerging messaging opportunities.
• Potentially manage external vendors.
• Collaborate with other environmental, health, science, and justice groups in joint coalition efforts.
• Act as on-the-record spokesperson for NRDC as needed.
• Provide media relations coaching and training to staff and prepare NRDC experts for interviews and other public appearances.  
• Other duties as defined by Eastern Media Director.

Required

• Minimum 4-5 years or more of relevant experience in media relations and/or communications.
• Bachelor’s and/or Master's degree in journalism, communications or related field.
• Experience developing and implementing communication plans.
• Excellent writing and editing skills required, preferably involving public policy, with an emphasis on science and/or environmental issues.
• Strong organizational and project management skills essential.  
• Ability to speak and write in a clear and compelling manner for internal/external relations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills essential.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven record of securing placements with traditional and digital media.
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.

Preferred

• Experience with political and policy advocacy at the federal and state levels is preferred.
• Strong relationships with major regional and national reporters and bloggers are a plus.  
• Knowledge of media database tools, including Cision/Vocus.  
• Spanish-language skills are a plus.  

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. For this position, the salary is $83,000 to $87,000. Internal equity considerations will be reviewed before making a final offer.

Since March 2020, NRDC’s offices have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be associated with one of our offices, but until circumstances allow us to re-open, we will continue to support NRDCers with remote working arrangements.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.