Reports to: Sr. Director, External Relations
SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE:
The Director of Communications leads the National Aviary’s organization-wide communications strategy to build awareness, strengthen and protect the organization’s reputation, and advance its leadership in animal care, avian medicine, conservation, education, and guest engagement. This position is responsible for media relations, institutional storytelling, issues and crisis communications, executive communications, and other high-profile communications that require sound judgment, a clear organizational voice, and close coordination across departments.
The Director of Communications supervises communications staff, manages public relations agency and vendor relationships, and serves as a senior communications advisor to leadership. This position works closely with the Senior Director of External Relations, Executive Director, Director of Marketing, Philanthropy team, subject-matter experts, and colleagues throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Communications Strategy and Organizational Storytelling
· Executes an organization-wide communications strategy aligned with the National Aviary’s strategic priorities, brand position, and annual goals.
· Coordinates institutional storytelling that communicates the National Aviary’s impact in conservation, avian medicine, education, animal care, community engagement, and guest experience within larger marketing aims and initiatives for seamless messaging.
· Oversees long-form storytelling initiatives and editorial publications, including research-focused communications, organizational newsletters, native advertising content, and other mission-driven publications.
· Identifies high-value stories and opportunities that advance organizational reputation, determining key messages, audiences, spokespersons, and communications approaches in conjunction with marketing directives, organizational aims, and mission-driven expectations.
· Translates complex scientific, veterinary, conservation, and programmatic information into clear, accurate, and engaging public communications.
Media Relations and Thought Leadership
· Develops and executes proactive and reactive media relations strategies that increase positive awareness and build organizational reputation.
· Oversees creation of media materials, including press releases, advisories, pitches, talking points, and supporting content.
· Maintains media relationships, manages inquiries, and coordinates interviews, media events, and spokesperson preparation.
· Positions National Aviary experts as trusted resources and thought leaders while monitoring coverage and measuring results.
Issues Management and Crisis Communications
· Leads communications planning and response for emerging issues, sensitive matters, and crisis situations in coordination with organizational leadership.
· Develops a crisis communication plan.
· Maintains crisis communications protocols, messaging resources, media procedures, and spokesperson preparation efforts.
· Monitors developments that may affect the National Aviary’s reputation and recommends appropriate communications strategies.
· Develops timely statements, key messages, guidance materials, and stakeholder communications during rapidly evolving situations.
Executive and Internal Communications
· Drafts and edits speeches, talking points, announcements, opinion pieces, letters, and other communications for senior leadership.
· Collaborates with the Director of Marketing to align institutional storytelling with marketing campaigns.
· Supports organization-wide communications related to major initiatives, operational changes, emergencies, and significant announcements.
· Partners with Philanthropy and External Relations to develop compelling content for donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
· Ensures consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness of messaging across internal and external audiences.
Content Leadership and Cross-Departmental Collaboration
· Leads editorial planning for major stories, announcements, publications, and communications priorities across the organization.
· Collaborates with the Director of Marketing to align institutional storytelling with campaigns.
· Develops and reviews content for digital channels, major organizational news, executive communications, and reputation-related initiatives.
· Partners with creative staff, program experts, and external organizations to strengthen storytelling and advance communications goals.
Team, Agency, Budget, and Performance Management
· Supervises the Assistant Manager, Content and Communications, providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
· Directs external communications agencies, consultants, and vendors, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and expectations.
· Manages communications budgets, establishes performance measures, and evaluates results to strengthen strategy and effectiveness.
· Monitors communications trends and best practices while ensuring compliance with National Aviary policies, protocols, and visitor engagement standards.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
· The Director of Communications supervises the Assistant Manager, Content and Communications and directs the work of public relations agencies, consultants, and communications vendors.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
· Exceptional writing, editing, verbal communication, and storytelling skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
· Demonstrated success developing and executing communications strategies that advance organizational goals and generate meaningful media visibility.
· Significant media relations experience, including cultivating journalist relationships, managing media opportunities, preparing spokespeople, and serving as a spokesperson.
· Experience leading issues management and crisis communications with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
· Ability to translate complex scientific, conservation, veterinary, or technical information into clear and compelling public communications.
· Strong strategic planning, project management, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
· Proven leadership experience, including supervising staff, managing external agencies and vendors, and overseeing budgets and performance metrics.
· Collaborative and resourceful professional with excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
· Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related discipline.
· Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, or organizational communications, including at least three years in a management or supervisory capacity.
· Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
· Satisfactory Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Certification.
· Satisfactory FBI Criminal Record Check.
· Valid Driver’s License and ability to pass Department of Motor Vehicles check.
WORKING FROM HOME:
The position requires the Director to be on site as necessary for management, media activity, emergencies, and external meetings in order to properly manage the critical operations outlined in this job description. The position may also, at times, work from home per the National Aviary Telecommuting Policy.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee constantly operates a computer and occasionally moves about the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work environments will include climate-controlled office spaces and public areas where the noise level may be loud. At times, outdoor work may need to be done in inclement weather conditions, including extremes of temperature and precipitation.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
