Communications Manager

Envision Resilience works to advance innovative city planning and design in the face of climate change through student and community partnerships. By connecting current and future professionals working across disciplines, the organization creates opportunities for communities to reimagine climate challenges and inspire resilient solutions. Envision Resilience, originally developed by Remain, is part of the philanthropic organizations and initiatives created and funded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to work toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. The signature program, the Envision Resilience Challenge, is an annual place-based, multi-university design studio run in communities throughout the Northeast. Graduate and undergraduate students studying architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture partner with communities through an iterative process that produces speculative designs for adapting neighborhoods, parks, businesses and waterfronts in the face of climate change. With each new Challenge, Envision Resilience has addressed the pressing environmental challenges facing communities, like rising seas and increased flooding, and their impact on issues ranging from transportation and access to housing and food security. As the Challenge alumni step into the professional world, they bring with them the experience of designing in community—collaborating with residents, thinking across disciplines and shaping a more optimistic, adaptive future. The Communications Manager will report directly to the Executive Director, with the primary task of developing and implementing the communications strategy for the organization, including external and partner communications, media relations and branding. The Communications Manager will lead overall efforts to raise visibility and drive interest for Envision Resilience while enhancing the brand identity and narrative of the organization, its mission and its projects. Key responsibilities for this role include the following: Communications Strategy:

Create a communications strategy and manage brand guidelines

Develop internal communication systems for effective management of annual Challenges, community partner outreach, university partner outreach and press announcements

Engage in effective, creative and collaborative storytelling about the work of each Challenge year, the community partners, university partners, grantees and other mission-related projects

Write newsletter articles, press releases, media pitches, studio reports and other materials

Work with the team to produce films, including concept development, script writing, video production and vendor coordination

Copyedit materials written by Envision Resilience team

Foster strong relationships with university communications departments for collaboration and cross promotion

Work with the broader Schmidt organization communications team to identify opportunities for collaboration to amplify reach and messaging

Participate in entity-wide communication team

Special Projects

Manage other Envision Resilience projects, as assigned by Executive Director

Lead visual storytelling efforts including production of annual mini documentary 

Support annual exhibition—strategy, design, promotion

Work with the Research Associate to publish, market and promote all studio work to date (2021-2025) – 2024 Studio Report here

Brand Identity:

Refine and implement branding guidelines aligned with strategic communications plan for Envision Resilience

Maintain and distribute Envision Resilience branding guidelines for internal and external communications and marketing strategies

Create and manage content for the Envision Resilience website and social media channels

Manage photo, video, graphics and design archive

External Relations:

Manage external agency relationships 

Serve as point person on all major communications 

Develop and execute media outreach strategies 

Write press releases and media advisories 

Establish strong relationships with key media to generate media coverage for Remain work, partners and grantees 

Provide executive communications support, including development of talking points and presentations

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Passion for working toward just, inclusive, adaptive and resilient climate futures

7 - 10 years of experience in public and media relations, marketing, journalism or related field

Experience in climate or environmental science, architecture or planning, urban studies is preferred 

Demonstrated track record of developing and implementing communications strategy

Ability to foster and maintain positive and productive collaborative relationships with internal and external partners and other stakeholders

Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas compellingly to a variety of audiences

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and pivot quickly and easily when priorities change

Resourceful, adaptable, accurate, creative and results-oriented with high energy

Interest and background in sustainability, resilience and community development

Adaptability and comfort in working in a fast-paced environment to help develop and implement new tools, frameworks and systems

Ability and skills to help turn visionary ideas into innovative solutions

Effective storyteller with the ability to proactively find stories, news and information relevant to internal and external audiences

Ability to foster and maintain positive and productive collaborative relationships with a high volume of external partners, stakeholders, universities

Have a proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills

Exercise discretion and exhibit sound judgment and decision-making when interacting with media

Attentive to detail, with highest standards for quality, accuracy and consistency

Self-starter, highly motivated, hands-on professional, with the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively

High energy

Proven ability to proactively establish rapport, credibility and influence in a highly collaborative team environment