Overview
Position: Communications and Media Relations Manager
Location: This is a full-time position onsite in our Oakland, CA headquarters.
Target start date: September 1, 2024 or earlier
Note: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Amazon Watch is a dynamic nonprofit organization working to protect and defend the Amazon rainforest and our climate in partnership and solidarity with Indigenous peoples and the climate justice movement.
The Amazon has reached an ecological tipping point due to increased deforestation and degradation. To turn this around, we must protect 80% of the Amazon, including 100% of Indigenous territories. Amazon Watch works directly and in solidarity with Indigenous, forest peoples, and international allies to hold governments, corporations, and financial institutions accountable for Amazon destruction and human rights violations.
We are seeking a passionate professional to serve as our Communications Manager. The communications team is responsible for media relations, publications, digital storytelling, advertising, marketing, and messaging for the organization and its campaigns. This position will report to the Deputy Director.
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of experience in journalism, public relations, online campaigning, or a related communications field. They should also have a record of success working with print, broadcast, and online media to effectively and proactively frame issues and drive coverage. Proficiency with online campaigning tools and an eagerness to learn and manage systems are essential.
We are looking for someone to whom clear and compelling writing comes naturally and who believes strongly in the importance of our mission to defend the rights of Indigenous peoples and protect the Amazon rainforest. Fluency in English and Spanish is required and Portuguese is highly preferred.
This is a full-time position based in our Oakland, CA headquarters. It is not a remote-work position.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Cultivate and manage media relations; maintain media contact database
- Respond to media, academic, and information requests; serve as spokesperson
- Develop talking points, statements, and messaging to effectively and proactively frame issues and drive coverage
- Help maintain strategic and collaborative communications calendar
- Create and/or edit and distribute press releases and media updates
- Create and/or edit material for publications such as blogs, reports, briefing papers, etc.
- Assist in the preparation and production of development materials (annual report,
event publications, etc.)
- Manage flow of original content between creators, online department, and organizational archives
- Develop/implement special projects such as videos, special reports, etc.
- Seek outside outlets to publish AW staff content and write and/or edit such content
- Monitor media coverage on core issues and campaign targets; use tracking tools to provide metrics and reports to support campaign and organizational objectives
- Support the writing of communications-specific grants, crowdsourcing, and other relevant funding opportunities
Qualifications:
- Minimum three years of experience in journalism, public relations, online campaigning, or related communications field
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to draft documents under tight deadlines
- Solid copy-editing skills; strong attention to detail
- Experience using and managing databases including Cision or online media database systems
- Experience using Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram, and ongoing interest in staying abreast of cutting-edge digital platforms
- Effective team player with the ability to work and think independently
- Good organizational skills, demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and creativity
- Desire to work with Indigenous and affected communities and personal passion for our mission
- Bilingual English/Spanish required (Portuguese also highly desirable)
Additional qualifications:
- Experience developing and implementing online campaign strategies
- Working knowledge of image processing, video editing, and desktop publishing
- Multimedia and website management skills are highly desirable
- Familiarity with Google Apps, Slack, Zoom (including webinar features) Asana, YouTube live streams, and other online document sharing platforms (e.g. Social Press Kit)
Salary and benefits: $86,000 – $91,000 annually (Amazon Watch is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at its core. We consider a wide variety of elements when creating our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.)
The compensation range is specific to Oakland, CA. Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs.
Current benefits include: Full coverage family health care (including vision and dental), voluntary life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, generous vacation time, sick time, paid parental leave, paid holidays,12 weeks paid sabbatical after 5 years, employer-matched retirement plan, plus budget for professional development and home office supplies for ergonomic work.
How to apply: Please, no calls. Send resume, three references, and a cover letter about why you would like to join our team and why you are the best candidate for the job to https://amazonwatch.bamboohr.com/careers/24?source=aWQ9MTg%3D
Amazon Watch is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, political belief, age, gender, sexual orientation or class. We strive to build an organization that is inclusive and representative of our partners and the larger world. To that end, we strongly encourage self-identified people of color, people with disabilities, Indigenous, queer, and transgender people to apply.