Senior Communications Manager

About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute (OSI) is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

Position Summary

The Senior Communications Manager is a new role and will be a key member of the Open Space Institute’s Communications team, responsible for amplifying OSI’s voice and advancing its mission. This role leads storytelling and media strategy across multiple channels - traditional, digital, and social – as well as cultivate new audiences through untapped outlets, with the goal of strengthening OSI’s visibility, elevating our work to new audiences, and increasing engagement among partners, funders, policymakers, and the public.

Working closely with the Director of Communications, the Senior Communications Manager will develop and execute creative campaigns, manage press and media outreach, create content, and oversee development of a wide range of collateral pieces - from press releases and features to social media, videos, and digital assets. The position is highly collaborative and will partner with program, development, and executive teams to ensure OSI’s conservation and community impact stories are told consistently and powerfully across platforms.

This is a fast-paced role for an experienced communicator with excellent judgment, superb writing skills, strategic instincts, and the ability to translate complex conservation work into clear, compelling narratives that inspire action.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Storytelling

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that elevate OSI’s brand, projects, and conservation impact.
• Translate complex environmental and policy issues into compelling stories for diverse audiences.
• Partner with leadership, program, and development teams to create consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all channels and campaigns.
• Draft high-impact materials including press releases, op-eds, feature stories, speeches, and talking points.

Media Relations

• Cultivate relationships with journalists and media outlets at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Proactively identify and pitch story opportunities to traditional and new media outlets that advance OSI’s visibility and thought leadership.
• Coordinate interviews, media briefings, and press events with OSI staff, partners, and government agencies.
• Draft and manage statements, Q&As, and rapid responses as needed.

Digital & Content Strategy

• Lead social media strategy and execution, developing creative content and digital toolkits that expand audience engagement.
• Oversee the OSI website, ensuring timely updates, strong storytelling, and alignment with campaign goals.
• Manage video and multimedia production, from concept through publication.
• Support targeted digital campaigns to grow awareness and fundraising outcomes.

Organizational & Partner Support

• Collaborate with program and development teams to guide storytelling for donor materials, events, and publications.
• Create briefing materials, remarks, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Coordinate with external vendors and consultants to advance communications goals.
• Provide communications guidance and support to internal teams and partners to ensure brand consistency.
• Stay current on communications trends and tools, and identify opportunities to strengthen OSI’s digital presence and reach.

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field required.
• Ten to twelve years of progressive professional experience in communications, public affairs or a related field; nonprofit, government, or environmental experience preferred.
• Familiarity with environmental issues, land conservation, or public policy strongly preferred.
• Experience with marketing, digital strategy, or campaign management a plus.

Required Skills

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including experience preparing op-eds, press releases, feature stories, speeches, and talking points.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across teams and with external partners.
• Proven ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling narratives for a variety of audiences.
• Strong grasp of adapting messages for different platforms (e.g., website, print, video, and social media).
• Demonstrated success in media relations, including cultivating press contacts and organizing media events.
• Strategic thinker who can connect day-to-day communications work to larger organizational goals.
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work indoors in an office with occasional outdoors work
• Frequently sit, speak, read, write, and use a computer keyboard
• Requires standing, walking, lifting, stooping, bending, lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Fast-paced working environment
• Occasional travel required
• Have an appropriate home workspace for remote days.

Please note: If you do not wholly meet the above qualifications but believe you are otherwise well suited to meet the needs of this position, we encourage you to apply.