Associate Director, Communications

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. (TMA or the Aquarium) seeks a highly motivated, hands-on communicator and storyteller. The Associate Director, Communications will create and share high quality content, connecting with our key audiences through owned social and earned media channels. The Associate Director, Communications will also establish and steward key relationships with local, state, and federal legislators.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND 

The mission of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For more than 35 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium historically hosts nearly 500,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. Altogether, the Aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 54,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 60 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to volunteers who contribute over 19,000 hours annually.

 POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Creative Director, the Associate Director, Communications is responsible for working cross-functionally to conceive, create, and execute compelling internal and external communications. This position will develop a first-ever strategy for blogger and influencer relations and will be responsible for rolling out and executing the approach for the organization. Finally, the Associate Director, Communications will liaise with supporting staff and partners including writers and 3rd party marketers.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Planning and Budgeting

• Develop strategic communication plans—with correlating budgets and metrics—that are aligned with and deliver against our mission, vision, values, and goals.
• Establish and execute a strategy around blogger and influencer relationships.
• Create and maintain internal communications calendar, including key events and moments.
• Together with the President & CEO and Director of People and Culture, develop and implement an internal communications plan.
• Partner with the Creative Director and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer in how best achieve the strategic plan goals and objectives via the overarching marketing and communications plan and budget.

Communications and Public Relations

• Identify new and capitalize on ongoing earned media opportunities.
• Be “in the know” of current affairs, and have the ability to act swiftly to ‘newsjack’ issues/opportunities that are current in the headlines.
• Write and/or edit and proofread messaging for all produced internal and external pieces (i.e., exhibit signage, newsletters, advertising, etc.).
• Ensure Aquarium information is updated and accurate across online and printed material.
• Anticipate, prevent, and respond to potential risks that may affect the organization’s reputation, image, and/or relationships.
• Lead the Aquarium’s policy/government relations strategy and activities, locally and nationally.

Earned Media

• Develop, maintain, and grow successful relationships with key media outlets on the local, regional, and national level.
• Draft and publish press releases, organize press conferences, and develop strategies for press events and campaigns for, but not limited to: exhibits, events, contributions, movies, etc.
• Act as the organization’s spokesperson, pitch, and arrange publicity opportunities such as speaking engagements, podcasts, appearances, and interviews.
• Develop talking points and conduct trainings to prepare internal and external stakeholders for press visits, conferences, interviews, etc.
• Utilize our earned media tool to monitor, track, measure, analyze and report out on an ongoing basis, as well as maintain a robust understanding of our peers and industry activity; strategies to be informed by this information.

Owned Social Media

• Partner with Creative Director and Digital Marketing manager to ensure the organization’s social media strategy aligns with communication and messaging objectives.
• Collaborate with content providers and creative team on messaging and content to ensure integrated communications.

Other

• Facilitate and optimize timely communication by nurturing relationships with cross-functional staff.
• Support/lead special projects as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant and progressive experience, non-profit organization preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications, public relations ,or journalism related field.
• Experience in public relations, communications or media relations, working with and pitching reporters, securing story placement, managing and reporting follow-up and coordinating events.
• Demonstrable experience as media interviewee.

Knowledge and Skills

• Commitment to the Aquarium’s mission, with an appreciation for the important role that the Aquarium plays in conservation, education, and the life of a vibrant community.
• Commitment to equity and social justice, and strong alignment with our organizational values.
• An attitude of creativity, innovation, confidence and entrepreneurship, with an ability to inspire and motivate audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills across stakeholders including: staff, volunteers, trustees, vendors, talent, donors and others; works well within teams, strong collaborator.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Continuous improvement / problem solving mindset and way of working
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience with fundraising databases.
• Experience utilizing media monitoring tool such as Cision, Meltwater, etc.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Comfortable working in a variable and fast-paced environment with time-sensitive demands. The nature of the job means that some of day-to-day responsibilities will vary and change based on the news cycle, including outside of standard office hours.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

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