Communications Manager

~ The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is working toward a future in which societies meet people's needs for water, food, health and other vital services while protecting and nurturing the planet. ~

As the university's hub of interdisciplinary environment and sustainability research, the Stanford Woods Institute is the go-to place for Stanford faculty, researchers and students to collaborate on environmental research. Their interdisciplinary work crosses sectors and disciplines, advancing solutions to the most critical, complex environmental and sustainability challenges.

Working on campus and around the globe, the Stanford Woods Institute community develops environmental leaders; informs decision-makers with unbiased scientific data; and convenes experts from all of Stanford's seven schools, other leading academic institutions, government, NGOs, foundations and business. The Stanford Woods Institute is pursuing breakthrough solutions that link knowledge to action and solve the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow. 

The Stanford Woods Institute's communications team works to raise the visibility of Stanford's solutions-oriented environmental research and is integral to the Institute's strategic goals for catalyzing and advancing breakthrough research that yields solutions to global sustainability challenges in seven key focal areas: climate, ecosystem services and conservation, food security, freshwater, oceans, public health and sustainable development.

Click here to learn for more information on the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.  

Position Overview

Reporting to the Communications Director, the Communications Manager is responsible for developing and implementing communications plans that advance the Stanford Woods Institute's goals for linking solutions-oriented environmental research to action.

The Communications Manager is primarily responsible for implementing news media and social media strategies; developing editorial content and other written collateral, and designing and executing communications initiatives with a focus on engaging external stakeholders and constituents.

Key Responsibilities

Writing and collateral development: 

Work with the Communications Director and the team writer on a variety of writing, editing and collateral development assignments. 

• Write across multiple channels to develop materials for consumption by internal and external audiences. Material development may include website content, research and policy briefs, Q&As, faculty bios, annual reports, donor stewardship materials and brochure copy. 
• Provide writing and editing support as needed for Stanford Woods faculty, researchers and research center and program partners. Ensure materials follow Woods style, brand and messaging guidelines.
• Facilitate collateral design projects for clients as needed by providing project management support, coordinating with vendors and reviewing/editing for Woods style and messaging.
• Assist with proofreading as needed. 

Media Relations: 

Develop and implement proactive media relations across all media channels - print, online, broadcast and social. 

• Develop and execute communications plans that identify key messages, target audiences, strategies and multimedia tactics, working closely with researchers and center/program staff and with strategic guidance and light supervision by the Communications Director.
• Implement media outreach plans and develop supporting media materials and tools, including press releases, backgrounders, social media posts, expert directories, tip sheets with story ideas, webinars and other resources for journalists as well as the campus experts who work with them. Secure favorable media coverage in top-tier, regional and trade outlets.
• Serve as primary liaison for international, national and local media, facilitating request for experts and managing online resources for media. 
• Cultivate on-going, positive work relationships with key journalists, bloggers, editorial writers and columnists who cover news related to Woods focal areas. 
• Coordinate with communications managers at Woods partner research centers and programs as well as communications staff at Stanford schools on joint media opportunities in order to raise the visibility of Stanford's environmental research and the Stanford Woods Institute as a whole.
• Work with the Woods Communications Director to implement and track metrics of Woods' social media plan; assess results and adjust approach to continually reflect best practices. Work with communications counterparts on campus to amplify social media impact.
• Help prepare researchers and program staff for media and other speaking opportunities as needed.
• Organize and manage media database/tools including contact information, areas of focus and status of relationships.
• Acquire, develop and use tools to track impact of media activities (traditional and social) and generate metrics reports.
• Attend select conferences and briefings as needed to coordinate media outreach for Stanford Woods Institute faculty and scholars. 

Communications planning and implementation: 

Under the guidance of the Communications Director, the Communications Manager helps develop and implement select communications plans, tools and tactics and implements the overall communications plan to meet key program goals, with a focus on external engagement. 

• Support implementation of annual and long-term plans, including writing and editing across multiple channels; media relations; external outreach via events, briefings and webinars; research and event support. 
• In coordination with the Woods communications team, campus communications managers and Stanford News Service, provide expertise and support as needed for research program partners. Participate in regular meetings of key researchers and program partners who have media relations and external engagement needs to develop collateral, strategies and tactics for facilitating and implementing effective, proactive communications. 
• Assist in identifying, developing and maintaining collaborative, professional relationships with key external stakeholders and other targeted audiences. Build external constituency base and oversee management of contact information central to external engagement activities. 

Qualifications

The Communications Manager should possess the following professional skills and personal attributes. The right candidate must be an energetic individual with a strong work ethic who takes initiative. Four-year college degree in Communications/Journalism/Liberal Arts is required. 

Professional knowledge: 

• Writing and editing with an emphasis on communicating about science or public policy; journalistic style preferred.
• Track record for producing national and regional media coverage.
• Proven ability to implement effective media and external engagement plans.
• Proven ability to develop and manage social media content.
• Solid working knowledge of environmental issues strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Cision media contact software desirable
• Versed in AP Stylebook. 

Organizational skills and attention to detail: 

• Able to integrate and coordinate communications activities with other teams and units on campus and partners off-campus.
• Adept at managing competing demands on time and remaining focused on key objectives.
• Must be able to work independently, while also knowing when to seek guidance from the Communications Director or other resources.
• Must be detail oriented. 

Collaboration skills and diplomacy: 

• Ability to partner across teams, functions, disciplines and geographic locations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with peers in developing and implementing multi-faceted programs in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to work diplomatically with diverse audiences including faculty, students, staff and media.
• Ability to work effectively with staff and faculty at all levels within the organization. 

Results-oriented mindset:

• Prioritizes tasks to make major contributions to team and organizational objectives. Fully understands the relative importance of projects assigned, and shows great flexibility in adapting to changing needs and objectives.
• Proven ability to create well-defined metrics and milestones. Ability to get buy-in from stakeholders and accurately estimate the time and resources needed for on-time, on-budget project completion. 

To Apply 

• To be considered for this role, please click below: "Apply Here!" and plug in job code 70132.  
• Applicants must provide a cover letter and resume for consideration.
• Background check will be required for all final candidates.