Communications Manager

Department: Communications & Brand 

Reports to: National Communications Director 

About Trout Unlimited  

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s leading conservation organization working to care for and recover rivers and streams and their trout and salmon populations. We bring people together across the country to be champions for their rivers and help make our water cleaner and our communities healthier. Founded by a small band of Michigan anglers in 1959, we have grown into a national organization with more than 350 staff, 400 chapters, and 300,000 members and supporters. We bring science-driven restoration know-how, state and national policy muscle, and local volunteer energy to bear on behalf of clean water, healthy trout and salmon and thriving communities. 

Position Summary  

The Communications Manager is responsible for leading communications efforts in California and Nevada and supporting additional communications functions in other regions and nationally as directed. Reporting to the National Communications Director and working closely with the Vice President for Pacific Region, the California Director, and other staff, this person develops and drives creative and effective communications strategies to advance TU’s goals.  

The manager develops content for in-house channels, generates traditional and online earned media, and manages regional social media and digital campaigns. Working on multiple issues and topics, the manager helps trumpet TU’s successes; drive advocacy action, and engage volunteers, supporters, partners, donors, and new audiences in TU’s mission. The manager collaborates with teams across TU, including Conservation, Government Affairs, Engagement, and Development. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Developing and executing communications plans to maximize awareness and engagement with key audiences in California and Nevada, and elsewhere as directed 
• Producing or directing production of compelling content for in-house channels (TU.org, social media, film, print) to communicate TU’s conservation mission and impact  
• Building and maintaining relationships with regional contacts in traditional and digital outlets to generate earned media (press stories, op-eds, podcast interviews) 
• Developing and managing digital communications campaigns, including email messaging, action alerts, digital events, and paid ads (social, print, radio) 
• Managing communications in California and Nevada to ensure an accurate, compelling, clear, on-brand, and inclusive voice across products and channels  
• Supporting communications needs for other regions and nationally, including advocacy communications and conservation storytelling, as directed 
• Using analytics to measure the effectiveness of communications strategies and tactics  
• Designing and implementing action alerts and other engagement tactics that align with TU policy priorities 

This position is based in California.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; five years’ experience required in communications—traditional and digital media, public relations, and / or digital marketing 
• Motivated, self-directed; capable of building relationships and collaborating with dispersed teams  
• Demonstrated ability developing and executing effective and creative strategic communications plans across multimedia platforms; proficiency with digital communications and engagement tools  
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills; able to reach readers with an engaging communications style; able to message inclusively in a way that resonates across political and geographic boundaries  
• Demonstrated ability building relationships with traditional and digital media contacts 
• Messaging savvy and judgment; able to tailor communications to target audiences across political and geographic lines  
• A working understanding of trout and salmon conservation issues or a willingness to learn about these subjects 
• Able to multitask across multiple campaigns and projects  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles  
• Passion for TU’s mission  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365; Canva and/or VoterVoice experience is a plus 
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the region