The Communications Manager (CM) implements Blue Water Baltimore’s communications strategy to build brand awareness and engage existing and new audiences. The CM writes content for print and digital purposes, conducts interviews and gathers stories, manages social media presence, and serves as the primary storyteller for BWB. The CM communicates BWB’s messaging via engaging, brand-aligned content and develops creative ways to demonstrate our organizational presence through digital and print strategies.  

Communications Strategy 

• Develop and maintain familiarity with Blue Water Baltimore’s projects, focal areas, advocacy issues, and strategic plan in order to develop interesting, informative, and innovative ways to communicate our work and engage audiences  
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Advancement on the creation of annual and campaign-based strategic communications plans 
• Collaborate with the Advancement team on strategy for appeals and fundraising campaigns 
• Develop and maintain audience personas to focus communications to priority communities, including volunteers, donors, and community leaders 
• Support the Herring Run Nursery in designing marketing strategies to engage customers 

Content Creation and Management 

• Develop and execute innovative content to explain BWB's work, share advocacy and event information, and engage audiences in calls to action 
• Write and design flyers, social media posts, email newsletters, website pages, blog posts, and informational materials 
• Proactively seek out, gather, and manage stories, photos, quotes, and other storytelling material
• Work with the Senior Director of Advancement and colleagues to develop press releases, written statements, opinion editorials, and letters-to-the-editor to actively place Blue Water Baltimore’s messaging and policy positions in the media  
• Contribute writing to the Annual Report and other major publications 
• Monitor social media channels to answer questions and respond to messages and comments 
• Assess the success of communications, especially social media, based on performance metrics.

Marketing

• Execute marketing plan to increase the number of volunteers, donors, pollution reporters, and policy advocates
• Co-create and implement Herring Run Nursery's marketing plan to increase sales, customer visits, and brand awareness 
• Optimize campaigns using Mailchimp, Meta Business Suite, and Google Analytics, and track metrics to report back to staff and board

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Candidates will be asked to submit work samples to demonstrate skills and prior experience. 

• Three years of experience creating content (writing), managing social media campaigns, using content management systems, and website maintenance
• Demonstrated ability to write timely, high-quality, medium-appropriate copy 
• Demonstrated experience running social media channels (including Facebook and Instagram), and experience using Meta Business or other scheduling tools to manage and schedule content, engage audiences, and analyze results with an eye toward optimization
• Demonstrated experience with website content management systems, preferably WordPress or Squarespace, and email marketing software, preferably Mailchimp 
• Demonstrated graphic design experience in Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite 
• Demonstrated experience telling compelling, clear stories about varied topics   
• A proactive, solutions-oriented, independent working style, and comfortable with creative problem solving 
• Adaptable communication style with attention to cultural differences and respect for others’ lived experiences 
• Ability to work some nights and weekends, to attend and support events hosted by BWB and community partners. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience creating and/or implementing marketing strategies with specific growth goals 
• Experience creating and deploying paid content on social media platforms 
• Experience implementing and utilizing Google Analytics 
• Experience deploying Google Ads 
• Familiarity with Baltimore City neighborhoods 
• Professional or volunteer experience working closely with nonprofit program staff to creatively tell stories, engage volunteers and community partners, and highlight impacts. 

Competencies and Success Factors  

• Clear, appropriate written and verbal communication 
• Independent problem solving 
• Humility and willingness to ask for help 
• Successful collaboration and team leadership 
• Time management and independent prioritization 
• Diligence and consistency 
• Follow-through and accountability 

Working Conditions 

This position requires frequent travel to community events, field work sites, and meetings throughout Baltimore City and County. A car or other reliable form of transportation is necessary. This role is 100% work-from-home, with frequent opportunities for team co-working and in-person meetings. Only local candidates will be considered.  

Physical Requirements 

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. 

About Blue Water Baltimore

Blue Water Baltimore's mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore's rivers, streams, and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy, and thriving communities. Blue Water Baltimore is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that accomplishes a wide range of work and partners with diverse organizations and community stakeholders to reach its restoration, greening, and advocacy goals. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 

About the Advancement Team

At Blue Water Baltimore, the Advancement team works to make sure our colleagues have all the resources they need to move the organization forward. Fundraising, data management, and communications functions work together to inspire people to get and stay involved with BWB’s mission. We are a creative, funny, hard-working group that prioritizes our humanity and kindness to one another over perfection. We meet in person once a month in addition to frequent virtual meetings, and strive to support one another continuously as workloads ebb and flow. 

Equal Opportunity/Diversity Policy

BWB prohibits discrimination of employment, promotion, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, sex (including marital and parental status), religion, age, disability,  actual or perceived gender identity or expression, weight, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, economic status,  genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. BWB is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment  

BWB’s equal opportunity policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of BWB, including opportunity for employment and treatment as a BWB employee, as well as opportunities for vendors to contract with BWB.