Director Of Communication

Genesee Valley Conservancy is seeking an individual to oversee the organization’s outreach and communication with supporters and the public, working with each department to maintain consistent branding while leading efforts to communicate the organization’s work. This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful and well-established organization as it continues to expand, offering leadership opportunities, collaborative teamwork with a passionate staff, and meaningful impact on the organization’s connections, awareness, and programs.

About the role

The Director of Communication will head all branding and outreach materials across the organization to ensure consistency, desired messaging, and regular outreach to the community. This role will help raise and maintain awareness of the organization’s work, create compelling marketing pieces for targeted and general outreach efforts, and advance the work of all departments by helping them reach their desired audiences.

Responsibilities

• General Communication (30%)
  • Work with the Executive Director to formalize and execute an ongoing outreach plan to communicate with supporters and the community at large.
  • Organize and oversee communication activities, including:
    • Physical:
      • Newsletter (quarterly)
      • Press releases (project closings, events, general stories)
    • Digital:
      • Website updates and maintenance
      • Emails (monthly)
  • Organize and maintain a communication calendar for the organization.
  • Establish measurable goals to monitor outreach efforts.
  • Analyze data to track progress and modify efforts to increase success.
  • Lead and support events without fundraising goals (e.g., bluebell hike) as general awareness and friend-raiser events.
• Development (35%)
  • Support development staff by assisting with development campaigns and events aimed at raising funds, including:
    • Campaigns:
      • Annual appeal
      • Legacy giving
      • Major gifts
      • Monthly giving
      • New donors
      • Internships
    • Events:
      • Quiz Night
      • Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K
      • Annual supporter gathering
      • Special ‘one-time’ campaign-specific events
• Acquisitions (10%)
  • Support acquisitions staff by assisting with public-facing events that raise awareness of the organization’s programs and build connections with partners and landowners to facilitate future conservation efforts, including:
    • Genesee Valley Landowner Workshops
    • Genesee Valley Agricultural Tour
    • Conservation program workshops (farmland protection, forestland protection)
• Stewardship (10%)
  • Support stewardship staff by assisting with public-facing events surrounding volunteer opportunities on nature preserves, introducing the community to accessible lands, and building ongoing relationships with conservation easement landowners, including:
    • Annual conservation easement landowner newsletter
    • Volunteer events
    • Volunteer recruitment (for long-term and one-time needs)
• Administrative (5%)
  • Assist other areas of the organization, including:
    • Preparing for and attending committee meetings
    • Acquisition and stewardship work (e.g., nature preserve workdays, property tours)
    • Office assistance
• All work will be completed in accordance with the Employee Handbook, relevant organizational policies and procedures, and up to the standards of Land Trust Standards and Practices and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including writing, email, phone, and in-person communication.
• Knowledge of computers, cameras, website management, and email marketing; specifically Microsoft Word/Excel, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and Canva.
• Organized with attention to detail.
• Ability to have a flexible schedule and willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends.
• Valid NYS driver’s license and reliable transportation for work-related travel.

Qualifications

• Preferred:
  • Four or more years in the communication field.
  • Experience in the non-profit sector.
  • Experience with cloud-based software: Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint), Constant Contact, Monday.com, Facebook, Instagram.
  • Basic to intermediate knowledge of photography and videography.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a communication-related field.
  • Environmental and/or agricultural background.
  • Experience with land conservancies and Genesee Valley Conservancy, Inc.
  • Living within the Genesee River watershed.

Location

This position is based out of Geneseo and will require occasional travel throughout the Genesee Valley region (counties of Livingston, Wyoming, Ontario, Monroe, Steuben, Allegany, Genesee, and Erie). Remote work is possible part-time after a probationary period.

Benefits

• Salary: $50,000–$65,000, based on related experience and qualifications.
• 80 hours of paid vacation + ongoing accrual at 1 hour per 26 hours worked.
• Nine paid holidays.
• 40 hours of NYS Sick Time upon hire.
• $5,000 towards a company health plan.
• 3% match to company Simple IRA.
• Mileage reimbursed at the federal rate.
• $2,000 stipend for training opportunities via webinars and in-person state and national conferences as desired.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours/week (non-exempt position).