Senior Communications Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Oversee the daily communications operations of the California Ocean Science Trust.

• Manage OST’s external voice, messaging, and reputation across various audiences and channels.

• Provide guidance to the Deputy Director and Executive Director on communications strategy, audience targeting, timing, framing, visibility, and risk assessment.

• Create materials for donors and funders, such as cases for support, appeals, impact stories, stewardship communications, annual reports, and fundraising collateral.

• Simplify complex scientific, policy, and organizational information into clear, accurate, and compelling communications.

• Author, edit, and refine web content, emails, social media posts, reports, presentations, public statements, donor materials, and other external communications.

• Offer editorial guidance and feedback on materials produced by staff.

• Oversee website, email communications, and social media strategies, including content development, publishing, and coordination.

• Maintain a comprehensive editorial and communications calendar for the organization.

• Utilize web, email, and social media analytics to assess impact and enhance communications.

• Assist with media relations, state and federal engagement, conferences, public presentations, and other high-visibility events.

• Lead or coordinate media outreach and communication efforts related to significant events and gatherings.

• Establish communication systems, standards, templates, workflows, and review processes.

• Align messaging across programs, philanthropy, leadership, and external engagements.

• Supervise and direct communications interns, contractors, and other contributors.

• Enhance communications capacity throughout the organization.

• Monitor policy, media, philanthropic, and ocean science developments relevant to OST.

• Identify communication opportunities, inconsistencies, and risks to organizational leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years in progressively responsible communications and public relations roles, with proven senior-level experience.

• Proven track record in developing and implementing communications strategies across diverse audiences and channels.

• Experience in creating communications for donors, funders, or institutional advancement.

• Capability to convey complex scientific, technical, policy, or organizational information to non-expert audiences without losing accuracy or nuance.

• Background in advising colleagues or organizational leadership on communications strategy, framing, audience engagement, timing, or tone.

• Experience in directing or coordinating communications efforts produced by colleagues, interns, contractors, or other contributors.

• Preference for familiarity with California government, public policy, or public-sector environments; comparable experience in politically or institutionally sensitive contexts may be accepted.

• Outstanding writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.

• Strong strategic judgment and political sensitivity.

• Ability to tailor framing and language for diverse audiences while preserving a consistent organizational voice.

• Effective project management skills.

• Capacity to collaborate with scientists, program staff, fundraisers, and senior leadership.

• Proficient in digital communications tools, including content management systems, email platforms, social media, analytics, and basic design software.

• Willingness to learn and navigate comparable communications and collaboration tools.

• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and either currently reside in California or be prepared to relocate to California if selected.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.

• Retirement savings plan with a 4.5% employer match after one year of service.

• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits.

• Paid office closure at the end of the year.

• Monthly stipend for remote work expenses.

• Family-friendly, flexible work schedules.

• Flexibility for remote work arrangements.