United States

The choosen candidate must live in IL, IN, OH, or WI. Remote and hybrid options are available.

#LI-Remote

#PDN

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."

The Media Relations Manager manages and implements media and communications strategies to raise the visibility of projects and priorities in the Midwest Division, engage its varied audiences, influence conservation action, and support achieving revenue goals. Working with contracted media relations agencies, associate directors, and key program staff, the media & public relations manager will curate stories, insights, and learning for placement in appropriate outlets across the Midwest Division. They will also help identify other key audiences for those stories, build brand awareness, and position The Nature Conservancy as a thought leader.

This position will collaborate with other colleagues in the Midwest division. The Media and public relations manager will also work with the global media team and other media staff across the organization to elevate stories of regional importance to national coverage. The position will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications.

The Media Relations Manager works to implement media and public relations tactics to help drive organizational strategy. They develop and foster relations with key stakeholders, partners, and media contacts to manage the dissemination of information and stories. They inform and help develop speeches, key messages, talking points, press releases, and pitches, as well as package distributed materials and visual assets as needed. They help to facilitate ongoing communication between leadership and staff across multiple disciplines, including conservation, government relations, and development, as well as trustees and external partners.

As the Media Relations Manager, you will:

• Participate in the development and implementation of media relations strategy and plan for the five states in the Midwest Division (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin).
• Manage and serve as team lead on assigned Midwest state/s, media and/or communications initiatives.
• Facilitate ongoing communication between leadership and staff across multiple disciplines, including conservation, government relations, and development, as well as trustees and external partners.
• Provide consultation, media training and coaching, and development of key messages and talking points to persons serving as spokesperson(s).
• Cultivate and steward relationships with media and third-party stakeholders across the Midwest division while identifying, packaging, pitching, and securing media stories and external audience engagement.
• Monitor news coverage, evaluate results, and develop recommendations for corrective strategies as needed.
• Collaborate with Associate Directors for regional media story opportunities, including pitching and placement of stories.
• Generate creative and fresh ideas that result in story placements and third-party engagements.
• Occasional travel is required for business meetings, team retreats, and/or training.
• May manage one or more professional staff and accountable for achievement of team business and professional development goals and objectives.
• Other related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have all or some of these qualifications. If you don't have all of them, apply anyway and tell us about your skills and experience:

• Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.
• Prior experience in managing large U.S. media markets, especially the Chicago and Illinois market.
• Experience developing, implementing, and measuring communication and engagement plans/strategies.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience managing a budget.
• Familiarity with communication technologies and best practices.
• Knowledge and application of current and evolving trends in relevant discipline.

• Bachelor's degree in related field and a minimum 7 years' related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing and implementing media strategies and measuring results.
• Experience writing, editing and proofreading messages for targeted audiences.
• Experience cultivating and managing client relationships.
• Experience developing media relations networks.
• Experience implementing and managing multiple complex projects.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $61,000 - 89,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

To apply for job ID 55892, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.