The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. The Surfrider Foundation has achieved many important victories by persuading state, federal, and local decision makers to protect vital coastal and ocean resources. These accomplishments demonstrate the important role of recreational users in advancing coastal and ocean stewardship.

By joining the Surfrider Foundation, you will be welcomed into an open and inclusive network of incredibly supportive and collaborative people who work hard and play hard. You will have the opportunity to work with dedicated people who are also passionate coastal users with their feet in the sand and toes in the water. You help bring together diverse voices and perspectives to provide our community with the leadership and tools necessary to make a difference at their beach and in coastal communities across the United States. At Surfrider, we build leaders and we are problem solvers; our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. Coastal recreation is fun and working at Surfrider is too.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Surfrider Foundation is seeking a Sr. Communications Manager to capture, synthesize and communicate compelling stories emerging from Surfrider’s efforts to project our ocean, waves and beaches and to bring those stories to larger audiences and drive increased engagement in Surfrider’s mission from news media to fundraising.

The Sr. Communications Manager will lead the Communication strategy and work as part of an interdisciplinary communications team of marketing, graphic design, social media, editorial, and PR/media staff and consultants, and as a result should be able to collaborate with others and contribute ideas. This person will also work closely with other Mission and Development teams and must be able to manage relationships and lead assigned projects from start to finish.

This role will be responsible for writing, editing, designing, and publishing multimedia content for a variety of platforms and purposes, including fundraising, promotional/marketing pieces and educational materials. They will take a lead role in media campaigns and public relations (including story pitches), and support marketing initiatives, as well as the necessary evaluation of these efforts. The work is mission-driven and requires creative, strategic, and critical decision-making.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In collaboration with the marketing, development and mission teams, develops an annual communications strategy and plan to enhance the organization’s brand, community outreach, media relations and fundraising.
Communicates Surfrider mission priorities and primary marketing story pitching to new media and funders.
Writes email, social, and web copy for fundraising campaigns, engagement efforts, and impact reports.
Supports brand marketing stories, digital and mail fundraising efforts
Managing crisis communications
Contributes to film/video script development
Drafts CEO letters
Leads PR efforts for media
Coordinates with Marketing team on brand and story execution
Manages Communications Manager
Sources and manages external vendors, when necessary, including writers and editors.
Distills email, web, text, advertising, and social campaign results into the important lessons that could change how a campaign performs.
Works collaboratively with colleagues in marketing and social media to develop thorough communication plans and to coordinate announcements.

Reports to: Eddie Anaya, Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have the ability to create a dynamic communications strategy that meets organizational goals of amplifying our work while motivating individuals to donate to Surfrider. In addition, the ideal candidate will be a proficient copywriter with the ability to weave an inspiring narrative across multi channels and to different audiences.

Eligible candidates must have at least 5-7 years of experience working in communications or public relations in nonprofit, government, or business settings.
Project management, organizational, and time management skills – including the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines at one time.
Ability to lead and manage teams, and participate as a team member. Ability to build and maintain cross-cultural relationships.
Self-starter, with the ability to work independently.
Experience managing third-party services providers such as graphic designers, web developers, and public relations firms.
Superior writing and editing skills, including knowledge of AP style.
Experience with content management (CMS), relationship management (CRM), and email management systems.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Range Transparency:

Category Level: Sr. Manager (Marketing)

Salary Range: $70,000 Minimum - $99,125 Maximum

How Does the Surfrider Foundation Establish Salary Ranges? The Surfrider Foundation researches, evaluates, and compares like-sized non-profit organizations to establish ranges for each position level to ensure that employees are justly compensated. The intent is to compensate employees well within a median pay range philosophy. What does a “median pay range philosophy” mean? It means that if the range for a position is $50,000- $70,000 the median pay for that position would be $60,000. The established range takes multiple factors into account; experience, educational background, scope and complexity of work, special skills, added value to the organization, geographic cost-of-living, inflation/current market demand, equity, and more. The Surfrider Foundation prides itself on a high rate of retention, with 32% of staff having been employed with the organization for 10+ years. Please keep in mind that the maximum end of our ranges also account for longevity and tenure within the role.

Benefits: Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage monthly premiums compensated 100% by Surfrider Foundation, Long-Term Disability insurance, Employee Assistance program (EAP), Section 125 Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 401(k) plan offering a match of .50¢ of every dollar contributed by the employee up to a maximum of 4% of earnings (in other terms, a 2% employer match). Surfrider also provides paid holidays, vacation and sick time. We also provide 6 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.

TO APPLY

Please send cover letter (including your salary requirements) and resume to:

Email: careers@surfrider.org

Deadline: Accepting submissions until the position has been filled

Phone inquiries and walk-ins will not be accepted - thank you for understanding.

JEDI COMMITMENT

The Surfrider Foundation is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive organization for all people who protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Our success and impact depends on learning from our community, standing in solidarity with our allies and working towards a more just future, both for our organization and the environmental movement as a whole.

The Surfrider Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Together we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class.

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