Supervisor: Director of Marketing and Brand  

Status: Full-Time, Exempt, Two year term position (with possibility of extension)

What We Need 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a Communications Manager to lead strategy and planning of engaging, strategic content that showcases and advocates for our national marine sanctuaries through print, digital, social media and events. 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) tells the stories of the people, communities, natural wonders, and cultural heritage of our National Marine Sanctuary System. With new sanctuaries in the pipeline for designation over the next few years, now is a critical time to build new constituencies and partnerships for the message that sanctuaries are sources of solutions for our greatest challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, and systemic inequity. The Communications Manager will generate awareness of sanctuaries and the Foundation with key audiences and identify new and exciting ways to spread that message further.  

The Communications Manager joins a talented and creative team that is sharing the wonders of national marine sanctuaries. The person in this role will work within the Marketing-Communications Division which includes the Director of Marketing and Brand, the Director of Creative Strategy and Services, another Communications Manager, Marketing Manager, Multimedia Communications Coordinator and an Impact Story Producer. This Manager will also engage the Foundation’s Policy Division, Conservation and Science Division, Education and Outreach Division, and Development Department. In addition to the Foundation’s staff, the Communications Manager will work closely with federal partners in the National Marine Sanctuary System and a diverse array of community champions. 

This role is currently offered as a two-year term position. Position may be extended based on continued availability of funding. The Communications Manager supports the scope of a federal cooperative agreement between the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries that focuses on public engagement in the designation process of new national marine sanctuaries.  

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the ocean's health, coasts, and Great Lakes for current and future generations. 

What You’ll Do 

• Support the growth of the National Marine Sanctuary System through strategic planning of the impact and value of sanctuaries and community engagement with the recent designations and those still in process.
• In partnership with the Impact Story Producer, identify and incorporate new stories, elements, outlets, and opportunities; and build engagement through outreach.
• Manage the strategic growth and deployment of Foundation partnerships including non-profits, museums, conservation organizations and tourism/recreation organizations.
• Manage relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners to surface and define messages, themes, and experiences for content.
• Execute the department’s multi-year communications strategy with the Director of Marketing and Brand, with an emphasis on increasing the visibility and support of sanctuaries and the Foundation.
• Support the Foundation’s email marketing operation by sourcing content for emails including stories, images and statistics.
• Use communications tools to track, analyze, and improve messaging and outreach effectiveness.
• Support major Foundation events, including Capitol Hill Ocean Week, the Ocean Awards Gala, the Blue Beacon Series, Get Into Your Sanctuary, and National Marine Sanctuary Day with strategic planning and execution and on-site assistance.
• Work with the rest of the Communications team to ensure accessibility, translations, branding, and 508 compliance for diverse audiences

Who You Are  

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3-5 years of experience in marketing, content marketing, and/or media, or 7 years minimum experience in lieu of degree. 
• Excellent skills in communicating through written content, including marketing briefs, emails, and newsletters; and visual content, including photos, infographics, and video.
• Skill in distilling and illustrating complex, multi-faceted issues, and developing solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partner relationships.
• Strong organizational skills, with ability to prioritize work, meet tight deadlines, and produce key results with attention to detail.
• Fluency in computer software programs, tools, and technologies (i.e., Microsoft 365, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Asana, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Wordpress, Hootsuite) required.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Demonstrated initiative; ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and/or knowledge of national marine sanctuaries, ocean conservation, and marine science.
• A sincere interest in, and commitment to, our mission.

Why You Will Love Us 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the-water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies.  

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation 
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays 
• Health benefits: Medical with an HSA option; dental, and vision 
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance 
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service 
• Commuter benefits: Paid parking or public transportation subsidy 

Compensation and Benefits: $62-$67K annually based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package. 
 
Location: Washington D.C. based (Silver Spring HQ office location). Partial telework may be available.  

Applications must include a cover letter, resume and at least three professional references. Applications received before February 8, 2025 will be preferred. 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.