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Communications Manager
Oceana
Marketing & Communications
Washington, DC, USA
USD 70k-75k / year
Posted on Feb 5, 2026
The communications manager reports to Oceana’s U.S. communications director and is a member of the global marketing and communications department. The communications manager is responsible for leading public relations efforts to advance Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign. In addition to securing quality news coverage about the U.S. plastics campaign, the communications manager assists with all forms of communication and outreach related to targeted audiences (e.g., media, elected officials, supporters, and others), including reports, brochures, and fact sheets.
The communications manager also works closely with Oceana’s in-house creative team and outside consultants to create materials for the organization’s target audiences. This position is responsible for providing writing and editing support to the U.S. plastics campaign as needed, including crafting messaging and drafting talking points, opinion pieces, press materials, and other documents.
Additionally, the communications manager works with the campaign teams, communications staff, and Oceana’s marketing team to develop social media strategies that expand the visibility of Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign in new and existing social media channels. While the U.S. plastics campaign will be the communications manager’s primary focus, they may be directed to support other campaigns, communications, and organizational work as needed.
Candidates must thrive in a fast-paced environment that requires quick decision-making under pressure and strong multi-tasking skills.
Limited domestic travel may be required.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Serve as a communications lead for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign
- Develop and execute communications strategies for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign, managing initiatives through research, planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Cultivate and manage successful relationships with key journalists, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders
- Secure placements for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign in top local, regional, and national media outlets, including tracking press coverage and meeting specific goals
- Orchestrate, manage, and execute successful media tours and strategic events for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign
- Conceptualize, develop, and manage production of high-level strategic materials for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign, ranging from communications plans and press releases to reports and advertising campaigns
- Assist in the development, design, and production of reports and other materials, working closely with the campaign teams, communications staff, and outside vendors
- Manage outside vendor agreements for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign with the legal department
- Provide writing and editing support for Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign as needed
- Find opportunities to spread Oceana’s U.S. campaign messages through traditional and online media sources such as letters-to-the-editor, op-eds, and blog posts. Efforts include drafting, editing, and placing opinion pieces
- Work with Oceana’s marketing team to develop a stronger voice for the campaigns across social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram
- Support Oceana’s field team with communications support for state and local campaign priorities
- Secure speaking engagements for Oceana’s campaign experts
Job Requirements
Education and Work Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or related field and 3-5 years of public relations experience, with demonstrated expertise in media relations, including pitching and writing for the media, and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Strong journalistic writing skills with excellent knowledge and use of the Associated Press Stylebook guidelines
- Superb writing, editing, and verbal communication skills adaptable to a variety of audiences
- Superior attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to synthesize complicated scientific jargon quickly and accurately for lay audiences
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively as a team player to coordinate projects, and work effectively with a variety of personalities
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and work under pressure while maintaining good humor and high energy
- Ability to approach problems with a sense of ownership, enthusiasm, and innovation
- Ability to provide constructive, honest feedback to different stakeholders, including leadership
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to spot opportunities in times of change
- Must be a proactive team player and have a positive, customer service attitude
- Independent and original thinker, able to provide solutions both within the team environment and on their own
- Ability to take initiative in suggesting ways to expand work and responsibilities of position to help Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign achieve its goals
- In-depth knowledge and use of social media tools, networks, and online communities
- Passion for politics is a plus
- Spanish language fluency is a plus
- Interest in ocean conservation and Oceana’s U.S. plastics campaign is a plus
Required Competencies:
- Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Instills Trust: Is able to gain the confidence and trust of others by demonstrating honesty and authenticity, acting with integrity, and being consistent and credible.
- Ensures Accountability: Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same. Has a reputation of taking ownership and responsibility for decisions, actions and failures.
- Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.
- Customer Focus: Is skilled at anticipating customer needs (internal and external) and providing services that are beyond customer expectations. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships.
- Plans & Aligns: Skilled at creating plans that are aligned with Oceana’s priorities and that enable individuals and teams to get organized, remain focused and proceed with confidence.
- Drives Results: Is skilled at communicating a vision, setting priorities, developing and executing plans that achieve desired outcomes. Has an overall achievement mindset, a bias for action, an eagerness to take initiative.
- Situational Adaptability: Recognizes the need to be flexible and act differently in different situations – bring empathy in times of stress and change, firm direction in times of uncertainty, or diplomacy in times of conflict.
Candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and two writing samples to be considered.
The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $75,000 annually. This position is based in Oceana’s headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C. Oceana's U.S. offices operate on a hybrid schedule and staff are required to work from their assigned office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With agreement between the employee and their supervisor, the employee may work from home Monday and Friday. Relocation compensation and full-remote status will not be authorized.
Oceana values a diverse workforce and welcomes people different from each other in many ways, including characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin. Oceana considers all qualified candidates and seeks to recruit from a diverse candidate pool.
Please apply by February 25, 2026