Communications Manager

JOB SUMMARY

As a member of the Global Communications and Marketing team, the Communications Manager helps drive the implementation of Orbis’s public relations initiatives, digital asset management, visual communications, and brand identity and growth.

LOCATION

This position is available as a fully remote role or a hybrid role. For those who prefer to work in an office setting some or part of the time, our New York office has temporary and permanent desk solutions for employees that can accommodate those preferences. Orbis’s current policy requires that all staff visiting the New York office must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We welcome applicants able to work in time zones in the Americas, Europe, and/or Africa.

REPORTING & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Communications Manager reports to the Head of Global Communications and Marketing, works closely with other members of the headquarters-based Communications and Marketing team, and liaises with Communications colleagues in Orbis offices and affiliates worldwide.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Media/Public Relations:

Support the development and execution of Orbis’s earned media strategy and assist with management of Orbis’s PR agency; help generate new ideas for media pitches

Help create, review, and distribute media materials (e.g., press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, talking points, photo selections and captions, press kits, etc.) and thought leadership materials (e.g., speaker submissions, event opportunities, and contributed content)

Research media targets and outlets, and conduct outreach/pitching; assist in responding to press inquiries and arranging interviews for approved Orbis spokespeople

Assist with media training and interview preparation for Orbis spokespeople

Provide in-person PR support at events as needed

Assist with coordination of PR efforts across Orbis offices and affiliates

Digital Asset Management and Visual Communications:

Serve as the lead for Orbis’s digital asset management platform Canto

• Develop and execute Orbis’s strategy for managing its digital assets

• Conduct orientations and other learning opportunities and provide ongoing support for users of the platform

• Maintain and socialize best practices for global Canto contributors (e.g., regularly uploading, captioning, keywording, organizing, and sharing content) and ensure their implementation through coordination of the global Canto Taskforce

• Stay up to date on Canto’s latest features

• Maintain the vendor relationship

Lead the multi-office Content-Gathering Working Group, ensuring content trips are well-coordinated across teams; liaise with the Director of Global Safety and Security to keep content-gathering safety guidelines refreshed as needed; advise global teams on best practices and protocols for content trips

Develop and maintain Orbis’s centralized storage of media consent forms; work with other departments and global teams to foster compliance

Liaise with and provide support to visual communications consultant

Assist with curating image and video selections for projects

Brand Identity and Growth:

Support staff members with brand identity inquiries, helping to ensure proper distribution and use of all logos, brand colors, and other brand assets

Contribute to the design, content, review, and vendor coordination of branded collateral and material production, including invitations, signage, merchandise, literature, templates, etc.

Maintain the Orbis Communications Portal on Canto, ensuring that it houses the most up-to-date branding and messaging resources for use by global staff

Project manage creation of the Orbis Annual Report, including driving the vendor-selection process (e.g., designer and printer) and liaising with consultants, content and copy creation, photo and asset selection, and print production

Provide communications and marketing support for Orbis events, such as goodwill tours, the annual gala, President’s Club Dinner, etc.

Other:

Perform other duties as assigned to contribute to the success of communications and marketing at Orbis

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s or equivalent degree, and/or prior technical experience/training is required

4 years or more related experience

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Superior written and oral communications skills in English; writing samples will be required

Ability to produce high-quality, professional written material for multiple audience types, internal and external

Must be organized with keen attention to detail and able to multitask to meet tight and often-changing deadlines

Able to work both independently and with a range of people, including colleagues at all levels, non-native English speakers, donors, salespeople, and journalists

Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Flexible and proactive work style a must; must be able to problem-solve creatively

Experience working with or managing DAMs a big plus

Experience working with reporters and a track record of pitches leading to successful media placements a big plus

Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Canto, and SharePoint a plus

Proficiency in Canva, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or any other graphic design tools a plus

To learn more about Orbis, go to http://www.orbis.org

Orbis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It recognizes and values the intersecting identities people bring to Orbis. As a global organization, Orbis encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, cultures, lived experience with Orbis’s mission, and/or those belonging to communities that have been historically excluded and/or marginalized to apply. Frequently cited statistics show that members of structurally marginalized and/or underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Orbis encourages you to break that statistic and to apply. To request disability accommodation, please contact [email protected]. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.