Communications Manager

Job Title: Chapter Communications Manager

Department: Texas Chapter

Location: Remote within Texas, Austin, TX preferred

Reports to: Deputy Director

Supervises: Chapter Communications Fellow (TBA), Chapter Communications Intern (TBA)

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees. 

Scope: Working with a diverse team of national and chapter staff, the Chapter Communications Manager is responsible for creating and managing the Chapter’s external communications strategies for external audiences, including, but not limited to, the general public, members, supporters, the media, and policy decision makers. The purpose of these strategies is to convey the overall vision of the Chapter and help meet campaign goals. The Communications Manager is also responsible for managing and supporting communications staff and interns to grow as contributors within the Sierra Club and to achieve campaign communications objectives.

• Lead Strategic Communications: Develop and execute narrative strategies that align with our mission and values. Raise awareness about our mission and conservation priorities in Texas. Craft and implement campaigns across various media channels, including print, broadcast, and digital. Lead and collaborate with teams to create compelling messaging and communications materials, while ensuring that equity considerations are integrated into all communications efforts.
• Manage Chapter Communications Platforms: Create engaging content for the Chapter's digital and social media platforms. Develop strategies for building new audiences and assess new social media platforms for potential use. Manage the Chapter website and ensure that the language is consistent, accessible, and equity-centered. Produce the monthly newsletter. Provide input and support for monitoring and evaluation of engagement across all Chapter digital platforms
• Coordinate and Earn Press Coverage: Develop and execute media outreach plans to promote campaign goals. Create and update press contact lists and monitor state-wide news coverage. Build relationships with reporters and influencers to earn media coverage. Serve as the primary point of contact for reporters, pitch stories, and connect them with spokespeople. Write, edit, and distribute press releases and other communications. Coordinate with colleagues to respond to environmental news events. Collaborate with teams and partners on communication strategies.
• Communications Training & Support: In coordination with organizing and campaign staff, provide communications training and support to staff, volunteers, and Regional Sierra Club Groups. Trainings on topics including but not limited to: public speaking, interacting with the press, message development, press releases, mass email, and social media strategies, among other areas.

• Strong cultural and socio-political awareness of the broader Texas advocacy and social justice world, barriers to transformative change, and changing demographics of the state.
• Experience working with teams to create policy, structural and ideological change at the state and local level.
• Proven public/media relations skills and ability to communicate well with writers and editors.
• Strong experience and/or demonstrated ability in managing teams and supervising, developing, training, and coaching staff.
• Excellent oral communication skills and effective written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively across diverse identities, communities, and audiences.
• Operationalizing Equity. You model effective equity analysis and practice and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how group dynamics impact supervisory relationships, organizational culture, partnerships, campaigns, and coalition work. Your decision-making is consistent, intentional, and committed to creating equitable outcomes at all levels. You have led high-performing and leaderful teams across group identities. You intervene when challenging group dynamics play out, in ways that build understanding, trust, and deeper self-awareness of team members.

• Experience cultivating and maintaining just, accountable partnerships, especially with organizations led by those most impacted by the crises we seek to remedy.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience using a variety of social media channels to enhance communication strategies and increase engagement.
• Experience in producing communications for different audiences and organizational needs.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Proficiency in the use of a wide range of digital communication and graphic design tools, such as Canva.
• Experience translating highly technical or policy-speak into digestible content for wider audiences. 

• Depending on location and responsibilities, valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of auto insurance is required. A background check will be required upon acceptance of the position.

To Apply

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

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