Communications Manager

Do you enjoy turning complex issues into public-friendly messages, streamlining workflows to share action-oriented stories with thousands of people, and evolving communications based on data? Do you want to work with creative, awesome people in a quick-paced environment to protect our land, air, and water for all people and wildlife? Then this Communications Manager position might be for you.

Who We Are

Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We fight climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound and its rivers, and work with nature to restore ecosystems. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands‐ on volunteer efforts. For more than 50 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come. For more information on our mission and programs, visit www.savethesound.org.

The Position

The Communications Manager helps lead the team responsible for meeting the public communications needs of the organization through high-quality, consistent, and engaging written and visual communications. The Communications Manager reports to the Director of Communications & Marketing and collaborates with the Digital Projects Manager, several Communications Specialists, and a range of subject matter experts. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in New Haven, CT.

Job Responsibilities

This position’s primary responsibilities are 1) assisting with operations and infrastructure of the Communications & Marketing team; 2) leading communications on Save the Sound’s legal and federal regulatory work; and 3) providing flexible capacity at key moments.

Communications management (approx. 60%)

• Email newsletter – Lead coordination, editing, and set-up of Save the Sound’s biweekly email digest to supporters.


• Software – Develop proficiency in major platforms used by the communications team and serve as a team resource.
  
  
  
  • Manage team SharePoint portal.
  
  
  • Become team expert in Blackbaud’s Luminate Online email marketing tool.
  
  
  • Assist with team adoption of Monday.com project management tool as part of org-wide adoption (beginning spring 2026).
  
  
  • Lead team’s adoption of a digital asset management tool to store and organize photos (goal: fall/winter 2026).
  
  
  • Lead team’s adoption of a social media management tool (goal: 2027).
  
  
  
  


• Scheduling – Assist Communications & Marketing Director in preparing communications calendars, special campaign plans, and social media strategy.


• Reporting – Analyze web, email, social media, press, and event metrics to assist in tracking grant deliverables, producing reports, and making decisions.


• Website – Assist in content management (redesigned website launching June 2026).


• Marketing – Help implement marketing campaigns and integrate into general communications. Collaborate with Save the Sound development staff on content that informs, activates, and expands Save the Sound's supporters.


• Responding – Respond to or delegate to public inquiries through our email inbox.


• Managing – Recruit, screen, and manage seasonal communications interns and occasional contractors. Assist with third-party vendor (e.g. web, marketing, software) negotiations and meetings, fostering long-term relationships that provide value to the team.


• Occasional special projects or other duties to ensure the efficient performance of our communications and marketing team.

Legal and programmatic communications (approx. 40%)

• Media relations – Draft press releases, organize press conferences, and coordinate interviews about Save the Sound’s legal and federal regulatory work.


• Engagement – Develop action alerts, run webinars, and create factsheets to empower members of the public to engage in federal administrative processes and to stay informed about our legal actions.


• Digital – Write and publish engaging web content, blog posts, and social media for legal and federal regulatory teams.


• Capacity – Provide flexible capacity to support Communications Specialists during peak seasons, collaborate on interdepartmental projects, and back up Director of Communications & Marketing and Digital Projects Manager.

Required Qualifications & Characteristics

• Personal strengths:
  
  
  
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent judgment
  
  
  • Initiative, independence, and a drive to problem-solve
  
  
  • Ability to form positive working relationships with multiple teams
  
  
  • Demonstrated success handling multiple concurrent projects and working as part of a team in a nonprofit, small business, academic, or similar setting
  
  
  
  


• Writing and communication skills:
  
  
  
  • Excellent writing ability in both formal and casual voices, and strong proofreading skills
  
  
  • Ability to effectively interpret legal, policy, and scientific topics, in coordination with our in-house experts, for a broad audience without losing nuance
  
  
  • Understanding of marketing principles and ability to develop messaging angles for priority audiences
  
  
  • Ability to communicate authentically about the natural world and successfully communicate the urgency of environmental action
  
  
  
  


• Technical and knowledge skills:
  
  
  
  • Foundational skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  
  
  • Experience with or ability to quickly learn CRM/email marketing platforms
  
  
  
  


• Analytical skills


• Ability to travel (avg. 2/month) within Connecticut and coastal New York, occasionally to sites not served by public transit


• 4 years relevant work experience, or a relevant degree + 2 years relevant work experience

Preferred Qualifications & Characteristics

• Experience in any/all of the following:
  
  
  
  • press relations
  
  
  • working with coalitions
  
  
  • event planning and production
  
  
  • legislative, regulatory, and/or legal processes
  
  
  • graphic design, photography, videography, and/or video editing
  
  
  • using data to improve processes and inform decisions
  
  
  
  


• Skills with of any/all of the following programs used by the Save the Sound communications team, or similar programs:
  
  
  
  • Microsoft Office 365 SharePoint and Teams
  
  
  • com
  
  
  • Adobe Creative Suite, especially lnDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere
  
  
  • Canva
  
  
  • WordPress web content management
  
  
  • Blackbaud Luminate Online email marketing
  
  
  • Quorum grassroots action
  
  
  • Meltwater media relations management
  
  
  • Meltwater Engage social media management
  
  
  • Canto digital asset management
  
  
  • GA4/Google Analytics
  
  
  • PowerBI
  
  
  
  


• Social media and marketing strategy development; proficiency with major and emerging social media platforms; demonstrated creativity in showcasing work and engaging followers for an organization/business

Terms & Compensation

This is an at-will, full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $60,000 - $69,000 annually, commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company-sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package, and opportunities for professional development.

Our Hiring Process

Please submit résumé, cover letter, three references, and two writing samples totaling at least 1,000 words to the postings on our Jobs page. Additional work samples (graphic design, photography, video, web design, etc.) are welcome but not required.

Our steps: 1) screening of applications; 2) first interview (usually virtual); 3) second interview (usually in-person); 4) reference checks; 5) brief conversation with senior manager; 6) offer letter.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. Interviews are anticipated to begin mid/late March 2026. Desired start date is as soon as possible/late April 2026.

Additional Details Common to All Positions

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;


• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public; and


• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

Hybrid Work Arrangements - Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 2 days per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance, or other factors.