Communications Associate

Monterey Bay Aquarium•Monterey, CA

13d•$70,304 - $76,000•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, support the Aquarium’s internal communications program that ensures employees understand, are engaged with, and are inspired by our mission and strategic priorities; and our media relations efforts with the goal of publicizing the attraction as a premiere destination as well as positioning the organization as a global leader in ocean conservation. Upload content to the intranet and the Aquarium’s press site, draft the staff news digest and basic press material, conduct limited media outreach, research media opportunities, build and maintain media lists; coordinate logistics between media/staff and work with the P&C team on logistics for All Staff Meetings. Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

BA in Communications, public relations or advertising, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
2 years of communications experience or internships
Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop media relations plans to support marketing goals
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; excellent time management, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills
Flexible in responding to changes in business priorities; proven ability to work effectively and efficiently under multiple, competing deadlines
Interest in environmental conservation and/or legislative advocacy
Ability to work with Meltwater, or similar platform, and Episerver or Optimizely
Experience working with video production crews
Ability to both work independently and to collaborate effectively on multidisciplinary marketing team
Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values

Nice To Haves

Nonprofit experience preferred
Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Responsibilities

Evaluate media requests sent to media email inbox; obtain required information and respond or route internally for media response.
Coordinate logistics for interview and film requests between media and staff. (e.g., site visits, group scheduling, obtaining aquarium operations approval, etc.).
Draft and edit content related to promoting staff projects and activities for internal communications.
Publish and deliver content on a variety of channels including the intranet, internal emails, Zoom channels, and break room walls, and others.
Evaluate media pass application requests and respond accordingly.
Represent aquarium by escorting media and film crews visiting Aquarium sites, providing accurate information about aquarium and its initiatives in accordance with its brand guidelines.
Identify and recommend earned media opportunities to create and maximize public awareness of the aquarium and its initiatives.
Upload staff news digest and other content to the intranet.
Research, compile, and update targeted media contact lists.
Conduct general press contact outreach by proactively emailing press about potential story opportunities.
Write press materials in accordance with aquarium brand guidelines, including press releases, pitches, talking points, etc., and update tasks in project management software.
Update media clip database.
Create weekly clips report newsletter by evaluating and organizing clips, to then write and distribute report to management detailing media coverage of Aquarium.
Update and maintain MBA Newsroom website (press releases, media kits, image galleries, etc.) using Aquarium’s content management system.