Communications Manager

Position Summary

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) seeks a Communications Manager to support, strengthen, and grow our communications; leverage new and existing platforms and media that strengthen brand awareness; steward our relationships with members, donors, and program participants; and attract and engage new audiences with authoritative and engaging horticultural content. The Communications Manager will report to the Director of Membership and Communications to support the Membership, Development, National Programs, Travel, and Editorial teams as well as River Farm, working individually with members of those teams – and in groups – on strategy, content, and execution.

About the American Horticultural Society

Founded in 1922, AHS is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 21,000 member households. Our national programs include AHS LIVE – a lifelong learning educational series – the Great American Gardeners Awards, the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, a travel program, and the AHS Garden Network, among others. AHS publishes The American Gardener magazine six times per year as a primary membership benefit. The AHS website, www.ahsgardening.org, offers resources to horticulturists, gardeners, and other constituents. AHS maintains an active presence across multiple social media platforms to share horticultural content and information about our programs.

AHS is headquartered at River Farm, a 27-acre historic garden property overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA. By joining AHS’ outstanding team of professionals, you can help share the critical role of plants, gardens, and green spaces in creating healthy, livable communities and a sustainable planet.

Responsibilities

The Communications Manager helps implement strategic, creative, and integrated marketing and communications campaigns across multiple media channels to (1) build awareness about AHS’s mission and reputation and provide horticultural information, (2) promote AHS’ national and regional programs, (3) provide outreach to existing and potential members, donors, and program participants, and (4) engage the local community with AHS’ River Farm headquarters.

Specifically, the Communications Manager will:

• Promote AHS’ mission, programs, and events, and share horticultural content via social media, website, e-newsletters, print and online advertising, and other digital and printed marketing collateral.
• Solicit, organize, and edit copy and image assets from internal and external contributors.
• Create and manage content and updates to the organization’s website.
• Develop and implement an annual communications and marketing plan and manage the organization’s digital marketing calendar.
• Plan, create, edit, and distribute mass e-mails and e-newsletters.
• Assist in gathering data from web stats (WP Engine), Google Analytics, social media, surveys, and e-newsletter reports.
• Monitor and respond to incoming comments and queries on social media and the website.
• Develop marketing collateral, including print advertising, brochures, flyers, etc., with internal and external designers.
• Provide support for the Annual Report.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or a related field or commensurate knowledge gained through work experience.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in marketing or communications.
• Significant comfort and experience posting and participating on social media platforms, especially Instagram and Facebook.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Experience producing e-newsletters.
• Website editing, specifically with WordPress.
• Experience in membership organizations or with direct marketing, a plus.
• Interest in horticulture, gardening or the environment is a must; demonstrated knowledge of horticulture or a related field gained through experience or education, a major plus.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and manage concurrent tasks with meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience with CRM systems is helpful.