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Associate Director, Southwest Communications
American Rivers
Marketing & Communications
USD 71,196-80,070 / year
Posted on May 16, 2025
TITLE: Associate Director, Southwest Communications
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director II
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
WAGE CATEGORY: Full-time, Exempt
REPORTS TO: Southwest Communications Director
LOCATION: Hybrid, within Southwest region. The work of this role may be conducted remotely with full access to the needed operating systems and technology. Some work will need to be conducted in-person in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and/or Texas, with travel estimated at 5-8 days per month. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers℠.
The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature
JOB SUMMARY
The Southwest Communications Director works with our national communication team and conservation teams and partners to raise the profile of American Rivers and our partners and help advance conservation goals for healthy rivers and clean water. We are looking for someone who will work with internal and external teams to develop communications strategies and plans and build relationships with partners and media outlets to effectively message and amplify conservation work in the region.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop communications strategies to elevate the importance of healthy rivers to key audiences in the southwest region, inspiring action and advancing solutions.
• Coordinate internal and external project teams to develop, implement, and adapt communications strategies and plans, especially in multi-organizational coalitions across the region.
• Conceive, develop, shoot, edit, and finalize storytelling film projects – working with partners, staff, and characters as needed across the basin.
• Design and drive implementation of digital storytelling projects, such as ArcGIS Story Maps, web-based creative photography products, and online river-related web content.
• Support place-based and policy reform campaigns of the Southwest River Protection Program through the creation of toolkits, earned and paid media campaigns, and targeted communications projects to build and maintain support of river protection goals in the region.
• Leverage exceptional writing skills to educate and inspire priority audiences around clean water and healthy rivers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships and coordination with diverse coalitions of partners. • Build relationships with regional media outlets; coordinate spokespeople; assist with rapid response communications.
• Collaborate with an American Rivers communications team that includes other regional communications leads, as well as national media, digital, and marketing colleagues.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, and the ability to facilitate partners and agency representatives in decision- making, consensus-building, and collaboration.
• At least 5 years’ experience in film production and distribution.
• Demonstrated ability in podcast and creation of other audio products
• Demonstrated strength in critical thinking, problem-solving, judgment, and dependability.
• Proven ability to create communications plans and calendars, manage deadlines and coordinate communications campaigns.
• Experience leading multi-agency teams of communicators with strong interpersonal, facilitation, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work well with a diverse range of people. Experience working with government agencies, NGOs and Tribal nations.
• Strong project and contract management organizational skills, with demonstrated experience meeting challenging project deadlines by effectively managing teams and developing/managing project scope, schedule, and budgets.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, Canva, and Microsoft Office to produce communications content.
• 5 years’ experience in a communications or related field preferred.
• Master’s or advanced degree in fine arts, creative writing, or journalism preferred
LOCATION
HYBRID, within Southwest region. The work of this role may be conducted remotely with full access to the needed operating systems and technology. Some work will need to be conducted in-person in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and/or Texas, with travel estimated at 5-8 days per month. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $$71,196-$80,070 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:
• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.
At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do - we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.
Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).
We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.
At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.
American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org.
Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.
Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States. American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.