We’re Hiring!
Communications Manager, Bynum, NC
About Haw River Assembly
Haw River Assembly (HRA) is a grassroots non-profit organization that has worked as an advocate for clean water for over 40 years, protecting the Haw River and Jordan Lake. We work in 8 counties in central NC of the watershed including Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Chatham and western Wake counties. This position is based in our Bynum office in Chatham County.
The Position
Haw River Assembly (HRA) is hiring a Communications Manager to tell the story of the Haw River and the people working to protect it. This person manages our weekly e-newsletter, print newsletter, social media, website, and media relationships, designs our outreach materials and reports, and builds the content that carries our 2027 to 2029 strategic plan.
The position is 30 hours per week and reports to the Executive Director and Haw Riverkeeper. HRA is a grassroots watershed protection nonprofit serving ten counties in central North Carolina. The Communications Manager works with every program, including water quality, community organizing, events, and fundraising.
The position is based at our Pittsboro office. All staff are in the office on Tuesdays, and other office days are agreed with each person. Some HRA events fall on weekends, and the schedule flexes around them.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Communications Plan: Work with staff to create a strategic plan to increase organizational visibility and promote HRA's work by identifying key audience targets and setting goals for increasing engagement across all platforms; oversee implementation.
Website Maintenance: Keep front page posts and all pages up to date and improve formatting. Longer-term goal of creating a new and better website.
Publicize HRA events, achievements and advocacy through press releases, social media, and traditional news outlets.
Keep abreast of and post communications and press releases about HRA advocacy issues and Haw Riverkeeper's actions.
Implement best practices with respect to social media engagement.
Create and maintain up-to-date media contacts lists.
Get ahead of stories related to our core program areas to make the most of big public moments.
Create graphics using Canva (or other software) for promotion of events, advocacy issues, volunteer recruitment, etc.
Create Media and Sponsor Kits so that when we share promotional materials with sponsors and media, they are uniform in content.
Create printed materials for use at outreach and tabling events.
Produce HRA's weekly online newsletter to subscribers with input from staff (we use Bloomerang); manage list serve categories for most effective outreach.
Build an improved photo and graphics collection for HRA, organizing current photos and soliciting new ones from staff and volunteers.
Fundraising Collaboration: Partner with the Executive Director to support fundraising activities such as Giving Tuesday and special fundraising appeals. Contribute to grant reports and foundation proposals as needed.
Budget Management: Develop and manage an annual communications budget in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Staff Reports: Provide well-informed updates to staff and Board.
Qualifications
The right person writes clearly and warmly, works comfortably against a weekly deadline, and cares about the Haw River and the communities along it.
Bachelor's degree and related work experience in communications
Outstanding writing and editing skills with an ability to craft compelling narratives that educate and inspire action
Experience writing and editing for a nonprofit, advocacy, or public audience.
Experience managing social media accounts, an email newsletter, and a website.
Skill with Canva or similar tools for graphics and printed materials.
Comfort with the pace and tone of advocacy and lobbying work.
Ability to work with a small team across several programs.
Ability to design and implement communications campaigns through digital and traditional media with direct responsibility for outcomes
Demonstrated experience translating complex information for public audiences and maintaining brand voice across platforms
Proven project management skills, ability to set and meet multiple internal and external deadlines
Ability to independently problem-solve, make decisions, and build collaborative partnerships
Strong team ethic and integrity, with a desire to play a leadership role in a collaborative, inclusive, and highly effective organization
Other Desired Experience
Spanish language skills, spoken or written.
Media relations experience, including press releases and pitching reporters.
Photography, video editing, or podcast production.
Familiarity with environmental, environmental justice, or policy advocacy work.
Experience with Bloomerang, Squarespace, or Meta Business Suite.
Compensation, Benefits, and Values
The pay range is $27 to $31 per hour for 30 hours per week, which comes to about $42,100 to $48,400 per year. Where a candidate lands in the range depends on experience. This position qualifies for full-time benefits which includes employer paid health insurance. Flex time and vacation follow HRA's personnel policies.
The position is 30 hours per week at HRA's Pittsboro office. All staff are in the office on Tuesdays, and other office days are agreed with the manager. The Friday newsletter deadline and some weekend or evening events shape the weekly schedule. The manager meets weekly with the Executive Director and regularly with the program staff who supply content.
Haw River Assembly is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and background, and we especially encourage people of color and people from communities most affected by river pollution to apply. If your experience doesn’t match every qualification listed but you think you could do this work well, please apply anyway.
Applications
Please send a cover letter and resume in PDF format to emily@hawriver.org with the subject line "(YOUR LAST NAME), Communications Manager." Professional writing and design samples, and references will be requested from candidates chosen for interviews; a writing/design exercise will be required of finalists. No phone calls or emails to the office regarding this opening. Position open until filled.