Communications Manager

Ploughshares’ mission is to reduce and eventually eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons. We do critical work to drive collaborative action within the nuclear field and provide funding to experts and organizations focused on mitigating the threat. We seek to strengthen the nuclear field with new voices and diverse perspectives; motivate the public and build power with allies; stimulate new approaches and challenge status quo thinking; and catalyze inclusion within the nuclear field and our organization through Equity Rises.

Equity Rises aims to increase equity and justice in nuclear policies and institutions by empowering diverse voices, cultivating inclusive spaces (across identity, sector, and geography), and collaborating with new partners both inside and outside the nuclear field.

Ploughshares is publicly-supported and the largest US foundation singularly focused on reducing nuclear threats.

General Description

The Communications Manager is a key member of the Communications Team reporting directly to the Director of Communications & Marketing. They will play a critical role in managing a suite of communications and storytelling tools including our website, email program, social media, content creators and other print and digital assets. This position is primarily implementation with some strategic thinking.

In this job you will:

Website Management

• Oversee and manage the Story Center on the Ploughshares website, including editing and publishing content, creating graphics, and collaborating with internal writers and content creators to generate timely and engaging content ideas.
• Develop original website content that highlights Ploughshares’ initiatives, showcases grantee work, and reinforces the organization’s brand identity.
• Maintain and update the website backend, implementing edits, uploading new materials, and optimizing the site for user experience and accessibility.

Email Communications

• Coordinate the production and distribution of strategic email campaigns, collaborating with the Development Team and external vendors to ensure consistent and impactful messaging.

Social Media Management

• Manage all aspects of Ploughshares’ social media platforms, including Twitter, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Responsibilities include creating and posting content, monitoring engagement, promoting events and initiatives, and designing graphics and visuals.
• Identify and engage with new and innovative media spaces to reach and cultivate relationships with diverse demographics and expand audience reach.
• Monitor and analyze social media performance, aligning content with trends and opportunities to increase engagement and visibility.

Content Creation and Editorial Oversight

• Maintain Ploughshares’ editorial calendar, ensuring a consistent flow of compelling content across all public-facing platforms, including social media, the website, print materials, and email newsletters.
• Co-create and help produce digital and print materials, such as annual reports, e-newsletters, press releases, and other collateral to communicate the organization’s mission and impact.

Metrics and Reporting

• Track, analyze, and report on data metrics from social media platforms, website traffic, and email subscriber lists to inform strategic decision-making.
• Provide regular performance summaries, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, to measure and optimize the effectiveness of public-facing communications strategies and messaging.

Project Management and Collaboration

• Serve as the planning lead for digital projects, such as podcast episodes or other digital products, ensuring timelines and goals are met.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors supporting communications efforts, scheduling meetings, managing deadlines, and providing materials to facilitate collaboration.

General Communications Support

• Assist in creating and managing communications projects that align with organizational goals, promoting events, and amplifying grantee activities.
• Support additional communications efforts as assigned, maintaining flexibility to adapt to emerging needs and priorities.
• Research and monitor third-party content, including appropriate news articles, reports, and interactive content to share on Ploughshares social channels.

To do this job, you will need to have the following skills. We understand that candidates may not initially have all these skills, but we ask that you have most of them when you apply.

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including high attention to detail and timelines.
• Proficiency with email marketing platforms (such as MailChimp, Engaging Networks).
• Proficiency with web site management tools (such as Drupal / WordPress).
• Proficiency with SEO techniques and tools (such as Google Adwords).
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, be proactive and take direction.
• Ability to communicate through writing, as well as speaking or signing, in a way that is clear, concise, compelling and accurate, as well as tonally appropriate for and easily understood by internal and external audiences.

Additional skills that are preferred but not required:

• Storytelling or other persuasive writing training
• Experience with audio and video editing
• Graphic design skills and proficiency with design platforms

In addition, we require all of our staff to have the following skills, drawn from our organizational values of collaboration, adaptability, understanding and our commitment to Equity Rises:

• Generate new ideas with other staff members by cultivating curiosity.
• Build trust by forgiving others’ mistakes and taking responsibility for their own.
• Communicate needs around tasks, priorities and deadlines clearly to colleagues.
• Adjust their workflow (pace, topic, relationships) to respond to immediate challenges.
• Learn from and respond to others through active listening.
• Ensure their own work derives from the organization’s mission and goals (for example, in strategies and workplans).
• Reflect on and address power (personal and organizational) when communicating and making decisions.
• Help set and achieve departmental and organizational DEIA goals.

For this position we require that you have the following experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant or transferable work experience with 1 year experience managing people or a process.
• Relevant transferable skills, work experience, or education include: communications, journalism, graphic design, digital marketing and social media.
• On the job training is available.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work at a computer for the majority of the day.
• Some travel may be required.

FLSA Designation: Exempt

This is a full-time position, based either in San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC. Ploughshares allows for some remote work flexibility regarding both location and scheduling. Currently, Wednesday has been designated a “core collaboration” day in which all employees are expected to work in office (subject to change). Additional in person meetings may be required for collaboration and onboarding.