Sr. Manager, Communications, Resilient Forests

American Forests' Resilient Forests program restores forest health across large natural landscapes, helping forests adapt to increasingly severe wildfire, drought, pests and disease, and partnering with private landowners, Tribal Nations and others to scale climate-resilient reforestation. The program takes on some of the most pressing forest landscape challenges of our time, from biodiversity loss to fire-driven deforestation, and our dynamic team is generating compelling stories that need to be told.

As a member of American Forests' Marketing & Communications Department, the Sr. Manager, Resilient Forests Communications partners closely with the Resilient Forests program team to tell the organization's forest resilience story. This story spans the work of our field forestry workforce, reforestation, climate-smart forestry, and technical topics in science, conservation strategy, and forest management.

The Sr. Manager serves as the Communications Department's liaison to the Resilient Forests program and its partners, identifying and cultivating compelling stories about the program, its people, its partnerships, and its impact, and continually refining how those stories are told. Working with other members of the Communications Department, the Sr. Manager positions the program's narrative across the organization's communications channels and helps hone the Resilient Forests program voice so that it reflects both our overarching program strategy and the authentic voices of our staff and partners in the field. This role produces required communications deliverables tied to funding, coordinates program events and press, supports messaging across the full scope of the work, and manages Resilient Forests communications contractors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Storytelling & Content (30%)

• Work with the Communications and Resilient Forests teams to craft the stories of American Forests' Resilient Forests work within the organization's broader marketing and communications goals.
• Identify and vet stories from across the Resilient Forests portfolio with a focus on our work on public lands that will move the work forward and inspire action, drawing on the field forestry workforce, reforestation, climate-smart forestry and regional restoration programs.
• Develop web content, articles, blog posts, American Forests magazine articles and multimedia storytelling that bring the program's work, partnerships, and outcomes to life across social and earned media, video, visual assets and data stories.
• Cultivate sophisticated narratives that connect people with their passion for large natural landscapes and the benefits forests provide people and communities.

Events, Publications & Press (25%)

• Serve on working groups for Resilient Forests event planning; acting as communications lead, raising support needs and concerns early across working group and full communications team.
• Coordinate communications coverage of program convenings, site visits, launches and partner activations, ensuring consistent messaging and strong visual documentation.
• Support creation of program publications and presentation materials.
• Help identify, shape and support press and earned media opportunities for the program in coordination with the Communications team.

Program Communications Deliverables (20%)

• Produce required communications deliverables tied to the program's funding and scopes of work, including deliverables under agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, non-governmental funders and partners.
• Support creation of education materials and other content that showcase the work of our team and partners in the field.
• Track and deliver against the communications requirements associated with Resilient Forests funding and commitments.

Messaging & Program Expertise (15%)

• Become a deep expert on American Forests' Resilient Forests work and serve as a go-to communications resource for the program team.
• Support development of core messaging and marketing products that articulate the program's goals, strategy, core competencies and approach.
• Translate complex forestry and restoration work into clear, compelling messaging for varied audiences, and help build a consistent program brand across materials.

Contractor Management (10%)

• Manage external communications contractors supporting Resilient Forests work, including videographers and photographers.
• Oversee relevant contracts and coordinate deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and on-time delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in policy communications, forestry, reforestation, wildfire resilience, or natural resource management.
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience with demonstrated increased responsibility and accomplishments.
• A mix of communications experience and working knowledge of forestry, natural resources conservation or a related field is required, specifically with public land management agencies, Tribal nations, and rural communities.
• Skilled science communication experience, with the ability to make technical forestry or restoration work accessible.
• Background in web-based storytelling and photojournalism.
• Photography, video, or multimedia production skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across web, print and multimedia formats, plus presentation design skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex or technical work into compelling narratives for varied audiences.
• Experience producing communications deliverables for funded programs or against defined scopes of work.
• Experience coordinating events, publications, media, and press opportunities.
• Experience managing external communications contractors, including videographers and photographers.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and details simultaneously.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Vice President, Communications and will work closely with multiple departments across the organization, including Communications, Philanthropy, Operations, and Program teams. This position does not have any direct reports.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, salaried exempt position. The budgeted salary range is $75,000-80,000.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focused on health and wellness, work-life balance, and financial security, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; a 401(k) with match; flexible spending accounts; disability, life, and AD&D insurance; parental bonding and bereavement leave; an employee assistance program; a technology stipend; pet benefits; and military leave.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a remote position based in the United States. Up to 10% of travel throughout the U.S. may be required. 

This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods and to operate a computer and other office equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to support individuals across the full range of abilities and experiences in performing the essential functions of the job.

ABOUT US

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to large forest landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restore urban forests and forested landscapes for over 150 years. 

American Forests welcomes individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member. 

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.