Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing

Position Summary

The Senior Manager Communications & Marketing will lead the development and execution of HARCs integrated communications and marketing strategy to elevate the organizations visibility strengthen its brand and expand its influence across environmental sustainability and climate-focused audiences.

This role is responsible for both strategic communications and hands-on execution across internal and external communications media relations digital content and marketing initiatives. The position will directly manage a Communications Specialist and Graphic Designer and will work closely with HARCs research and leadership teams to translate complex technical work into compelling accessible and high-impact storytelling.

This individual will serve as a key driver of HARCs external presencehelping position the organization as a thought leader in environmental research resilience energy water air quality and climate equity.

We are seeking a confident persuasive communicator with strong conviction sound judgment and the ability to push HARCs visibility forward in a bold and strategic way.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Brand Elevation

• Develop and execute an integrated communications and marketing strategy aligned with HARCs mission and strategic goals.
• Strengthen HARCs brand voice positioning and visibility across all channels.
• Serve as a communications advisor to HARC leadership board of directors departments and HARC spokespersons.
• Proactively identify opportunities to elevate HARC as a thought leader in environmental and climate-related issues.
• Ensure all communications align with organizational priorities and effectively reach target audiences including policymakers funders partners media and the public.

Marketing & Thought Leadership

• Lead marketing initiatives that increase awareness of HARCs programs research projects consulting practices fundraising efforts and impact.
• Develop thought leadership content including articles blogs reports presentations and op-eds.
• Support positioning of HARC leadership and researchers as experts in environmental and sustainability fields.
• Design and implement campaigns that translate technical research into compelling public-facing narratives.

Media Relations & External Communications

• Develop and manage media relations strategy including outreach to local regional and national media.
• Draft press releases briefing materials talking points and media messaging.
• Support leadership and researchers in interviews public presentations and external engagements.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists and media outlets.

Internal Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support internal communications strategies that keep staff aligned and informed.
• Collaborate with program teams to ensure consistent messaging across departments.
• Work closely with project partners on joint external communications initiatives and events as required.
• Digital Communications & Content Management
• Oversee day-to-day implementation of social media strategy website content and digital engagement efforts.
• Manage content development across multiple channels including newsletters reports webinars marketing collateral and multimedia content.
• Translate complex technical content into clear accessible language for varied audiences.
• Ensure consistency quality and brand alignment across all communications outputs.
• Oversee digital analytics reporting & use data insight and audience analysis to strengthen the effectiveness reach and impact of communications activity across channels.

Project & Team Management

• Manage and mentor a Communications Specialist and Graphic Designer.
• Oversee multiple concurrent communications projects with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality communications products.
• Establish workflows priorities and accountability systems within the communications function.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Communications Journalism Marketing Public Relations English or related field required; Masters preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in communications marketing or related fields.
• Proven experience in environmental sustainability climate energy water air quality or related sectors preferred.
• Strong background in both strategic communications and hands-on content development.
• Demonstrated experience in marketing branding and thought leadership development.
• Experience managing communications projects with multiple stakeholders and strict deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage direct reports effectively.
• Be able to recognize and navigate political nuances that may impact how the organization will be perceived in the community with specific experience navigating politics in Texas
• Strong media relations experience and ability to engage with journalists and external partners.
• Exceptional writing editing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate technical content for broad audiences.
• Experience working in fast-paced deadline-driven environments with multiple concurrent priorities.
• Proficient in using WordPress InDesign Canva MailChimp; and social media (LinkedIn X Facebook Instagram BlueSky)

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Confident persuasive communicator with strong conviction and the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for elevating organizational visibility and reputation.
• Highly proactive self-directed and comfortable operating in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative but decisive leadership style.
• Ability to push HARC outward increasing its presence credibility and visibility in the public and professional space.
• Comfortable navigating complex or technical subject matter and translating it into compelling narratives.

Additional Details

• This position is based in Texas (hybrid work environment).
• Candidates will be required to provide a writing portfolio and complete a writing exercise as part of the interview process.
• Strong communication skills are essential and performance will be evaluated heavily on writing strategic thinking and execution ability.