Communications Manager

Communications Manager

Position: Salaried, $60,000-$65,000/year. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act Exempt. The employee is not eligible for overtime payment.

Supervisor: Deputy Director

Work Week: Full time

Location: Maine. MCV/MCA has a physical office in Augusta, the state capital, as well as a shared work space in Portland. This position allows for a hybrid in-person/remote work structure.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Communications Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the organizations’ communication strategies, with a focus on email, social media, media relations, and content creation.

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, reliable and self-starting communications professional with experience in email messaging, basic photography and editing, videography, and graphic design (using design tools like Canva) who can help ensure consistent messaging across all platforms. The Communications Manager will also play a critical role in securing earned media through press outreach to support our advocacy campaigns.

We are looking for candidates with a passion for environmental protection and climate justice, an understanding of the need for a just, clean energy transition, comfort working in politics, and a demonstrated track record advancing equity and inclusion. Given our focus on demonstrating and expanding our relevance to communities in Maine that are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and environmental injustice, and engaging a broad base of stakeholders, it is particularly important that this new team member brings lived experience and/or training in cross-cultural communications and the ability to reflect and engage diverse audiences in the stories we tell and how we tell them.

Activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Communications Strategy & Brand Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan to support MCV/MCA’s advocacy, organizing, development, and coalition goals.
• Ensure brand consistency and messaging alignment across all channels, including social media, email, and print platforms.
• Create and manage engaging content, including emails, videos, press releases, newsletters, outreach materials, and blog posts.
• Manage website content updates.
• Learn, understand, and maintain familiarity with the EveryAction database and the Meltwater media monitoring service and their full suite of capabilities.
• Complete other tasks as needed to support the overall growth and organizational development of our family of organizations.

Social Media Management & Content Creation

• Develop and execute social media strategy across platforms, creating posts that inspire, engage, and motivate Maine people and move decision makers to take action to protect land, air, water, and communities.
• Organize and maintain a library of photos and videos for future use.
• Design graphics for digital and print use, ensuring alignment with MCV/MCA’s branding guidelines. Products include: MCV’s annual Environmental Scorecard, organizational videos, impact reports, social media content, and campaign materials.
• Generate creative ways to mobilize MCV’s membership digitally to influence policymakers and win campaigns.
• Use design tools like Canva to create branded templates and visual content for event promotions, presentations, and advocacy outreach.
• Track and report on social media metrics, adjusting strategies based on performance.
• Monitor and engage with followers, responding to comments and inquiries in a timely manner.

Media Engagement

• Build relationships with reporters and media outlets to increase media coverage for MCV/MCA’s initiatives.
• Draft press releases and statements, media advisories, and op-eds, and respond to media inquiries.
• Organize and host press conferences and media appearances, ensuring clear messaging on MCV/MCA’s key issues.
• Create and update press kits and other media materials for outreach.

Partner Engagement

• Cultivate and foster relationships with key spokespeople and communications staff from partner organizations and within state government and determine how best to collaborate to advance coalition efforts.
• Use our brand and communications resources to elevate organizations that represent communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate and environmental impacts or other forms of injustice.
• Create and disseminate digital toolkits with external partners and coalitions to ensure consistent messaging to help forward joint actions and campaigns.

Participate in department and organization-wide planning and activities:

• Develop annual goals, metrics, and work plans;
• Monitor and analyze communications metrics (website traffic, social media engagement, email performance) to refine strategies.
• Build on MCV/MCA’s internal and external goals to center racial equity;
• Participate in staff meetings and strategic planning and equity learning; and
• Participate in conferences and trainings with our national partner, the League of Conservation Voters.

Desired Qualifications:

• Shares our commitment to integrating justice and equity into the work we do and supporting an inclusive organizational culture;
• Interested in environmental protection, climate action, a healthy democracy, and the political process;
• At least 3+ years of communications or related experience;
• Familiarity with Maine and regional press, including print, television, radio, and digital outlets is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with cross-cultural communications;
• Proven experience in copywriting, editing, and content production;
• Graphic design skills;
• Demonstrated ability to use social media platforms effectively;
• Demonstrated ability as a self-starter and problem-solver;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines;
• Working knowledge of MS Office; Google Workspace; common social media platforms; Canva Visual Suite; photo and video-editing software is preferred;
• Ability to travel periodically for meetings, events, and conferences.

MCV/MCA is an EEO Employer committed to a racially just, equitable, and inclusive workspace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status. Candidates from historically marginalized communities, who are on the front lines of harm caused by climate change and voter suppression, are encouraged to bring their lived as well as technical expertise to this position and the team.

The salary for this position is $60,000-$65,000/year. MCV/MCA also provides holiday and paid time off, health/dental/vision insurance, and a 3% SEP IRA retirement benefit match.

Maine Conservation Voters (MCV) and Maine Conservation Alliance (MCA) are building a just, thriving future for all by acting on the climate crisis, protecting the environment, and safeguarding our democracy.

MCV does this by advocating for equitable policies, holding elected officials accountable, and winning elections. MCA does this by bringing people and organizations together to educate, inspire, and advocate.

Hiring Process:

The hiring process for this position will adhere to the following steps:

• Step 1: Initial application period – Applicants submit a cover letter and resume through the link provided.
• Step 2: Application review – MCV/MCA will review all applications for the position and reach out to those invited for an initial interview.
• Step 3: Initial interviews – Select applicants will be invited to an interview via Zoom with two-three members of the MCV/MCA team. Interview questions and topics will be shared with interviewees ahead of time. Interviewees are welcome to ask questions as well.
• Step 4: Second interviews – A subset of the initial interviewees will be invited for a second, in person interview. Topics/Questions will be shared ahead of time. Interviewees are welcome to ask questions as well.
• Step 5: Reference Check – MCV/MCA will request three professional or community references from the candidates to check experience and qualifications from these third parties.
• Step 6: Selection Process – MCV/MCA may reach out for a third and final discussion with one or two applicants OR will make a selection at this time.