COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Gardens are an essential part of the human experience. We visit gardens to find peace and healing, to be with friends and family, and to better understand and connect with the natural world. Plants shape how we live, what we notice, and how we care for one another.

Right now, we are building something extraordinary in Seattle: an exceptional organization that brings together the unique strengths of the Arboretum Foundation and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. We are joining forces to become a destination garden, exemplifying leadership in scientific research, public engagement, and inclusive access. Our vision is to be a home for discovery, a force for sustainability, and a gateway to wonder. In every visit and through every season, we’ll help people of all ages meaningfully connect with the living world of plants and how they shape our lives and our shared future.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Arboretum Foundation seeks a Communications Director to define and develop marketing strategy, interpretation, and messaging as we move to an expanded organization. This position is responsible for media relations, government affairs, and works with the Communications Manager to manage the editorial content of the Foundation’s print, electronic, and on-site publications.

The Communications Director will develop and oversee integrated strategies across multiple channels and multiple audiences, including volunteers, donors, community members, and agency partners. They develop and implement communications plans, creative materials, and performance metrics with a goal of better integration, increased revenue, and brand strength. In partnership with other leadership staff, the Communications Director cultivates and builds the Foundation’s thought leadership position and positive media coverage, facilitates accurate dissemination of information across all media, increases public awareness and perception, and further enhances public confidence in the organization. This position reports to the Executive Director/CEO and manages the Communications Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications Strategy

• Develop a communications plan to expand the depth and breadth of the organization’s visitor engagement, community profile, and revenue goals.
• Identify and evaluate platforms for delivering messages specific to each of its target audiences.
• Lead the development of integrated communications strategies based on brand positioning, defined organizational objectives, and a deep understanding of stakeholders, messages/channels, and vehicles.
• Serve as the brand manager, ensuring consistent branding and communication style across all platforms (websites, email, social media sites, apps, etc.).

Brand Advocacy

• Ensure the organization’s brand consistently reflects the organization’s core values across all programs, campaigns, and touch points (on-site displays, publications, website, social media, etc.).
• Serve as brand champion and steward, providing internal standards and guardrails for the organization to follow.
• Incorporate brand positioning into the organization's culture.

Public Affairs

• Serve as primary media spokesperson, maintaining a list of active press contacts and fielding inquiries.
• Ensure that media contacts are well versed on the value, opportunities, and events within the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology standards, industry trends, and emerging vehicles for marketing, information, and education.

Financial Impact

• Support Advancement and other revenue-generating departments
• Drive organizational revenue across multiple sources (members, major donors, corporations, foundations, events, sales, and institutions) by leveraging a clear, trusted brand with integrated communications.

Internal Communications and Management

• Manage Communications Manager and support other Foundation staff who generate content for programs and events of the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
• Build a strong infrastructure to reinforce processes and tools required for effective communications organization-wide. Inspire and support staff and volunteers through clear, consistent, and compelling communications.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Nonprofit professional with the ability to think and plan strategically while acting tactically.
• Strong knowledge of traditional and social media; direct experience in developing and implementing communications and marketing plans across traditional and new media.
• Passionate communicator, with an eye for finding and telling strategic stories to drive Arboretum and Botanic Gardens' mission forward.
• Ability to manage and balance key messaging and strategic storytelling, quickly translating messages across channels to best engage key audiences.
• Working knowledge of ethical storytelling and equity-centered practice.
• Ability to thrive as part of a small team in a responsive office.
• Ability to build rapport and work effectively and professionally with volunteers, staff, board members, and the general public.
• Understanding of media relations; ability to build rapport with reporters, pitch stories to the press, and provide spokesperson training for staff and volunteers.
• Appreciation for the mission and the importance of connecting people to plants and natural spaces.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or other related field, with a focus on integrated marketing communications.
• Minimum 2-4 years of direct management experience.
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with and communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
• Experience developing and implementing brand architecture and guidelines.
• Experience with interpretation and communications in a museum, public garden, or other public setting is a plus.
• Previous nonprofit experience is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Due to the nature of this position, work will primarily be on-location at the Graham Visitors Center and the Center for Urban Horticulture, with some remote work. The Graham Visitors Center is a three-story building without an elevator. The role requires the ability to lift heavy objects (up to 20 lbs) and climb stairs to access office equipment, the kitchen area, and work stations. We understand that these physical requirements may not align with every individual’s ability and encourage applicants to inform us of any accommodations needed to create a welcoming, safe environment for the employee. We are committed to working with the successful applicant on making necessary accommodations for the role when an offer is presented. The position involves periodic weekend and evening work.

BENEFITS

• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Matching retirement contribution
• 80+ hours of Paid Vacation (Tenure-based)
• Paid Sick Time (per Washington State Law)
• 10+ paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Simple IRA Retirement Plan (Matching up to 3%)
• Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@arboretumfoundation.org. Please, no calls or in-person visits without an appointment. Position open until filled, with a priority deadline of January 23, 2026.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their typical responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

EEO Statement:

The Arboretum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at the Arboretum Foundation are based on one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, age, HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity; honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability or, any other characteristic protected by law.

This Equal Employment Opportunity policy governs all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, selection, job assignment, promotions, transfers, compensation, discipline, termination, layoff, access to benefits and training, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.

• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision
• Matching retirement contribution
• 80+ hours of Paid Vacation (Tenure-based)
• Paid Sick Time (per Washington State Law)
• 10+ paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Simple IRA Retirement Plan (Matching up to 3%)
• Office located in the heart of a beautiful park!