Director of External Communications

National Aquarium•Baltimore, MD

7d•$71,000 - $92,399•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Aquarium is seeking a Director of External Communications to provide strategic leadership for its external communications, public relations, and public affairs efforts. The role is accountable for the Aquarium’s reputation and visibility, including media and strategic stakeholder engagement that advances revenue, public affairs, and community engagement goals. The Director has strategic oversight of external messaging and directs public relations and strategic stakeholder strategies. The Director serves as a strategic communications advisor to the CEO, VP of Communications, VP of External Affairs, and senior leadership, providing counsel on external positioning, reputation management, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and communications strategies that advance organizational priorities. The position leads public relations and thought leadership strategies, supports public affairs and community engagement, manages issues and crisis communications, and represents the Aquarium with media, community partners, and other stakeholders. This is a full-time position in Baltimore, Maryland, with an on-site/hybrid work type. The role requires availability to work onsite and respond to crisis scenarios as needed, including at times outside standard workday hours. The salary range is $71,000–$92,399 annually. The National Aquarium offers flexible paid leave, up to four weeks of paid family leave, health care eligibility after 30 days of full-time work, conservation day leave, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, or a related area.
8–10+ years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, public affairs, communications strategy, or a related field.
Proven experience developing and leading comprehensive external communications and public relations strategies that advance organizational priorities and strengthen brand reputation.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with local and national media, elected officials, government agencies, community leaders, and other external stakeholders.
Experience developing and executing public affairs and strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives, including representing an organization in community and public-sector settings.
Demonstrated ability to develop compelling organizational narratives, key messages, and strategic communications plans for complex initiatives, high-profile projects, and fundraising campaigns.
Experience managing organizational reputation, identifying emerging issues, and developing proactive communications strategies for reputational opportunities and risks.
Demonstrated experience leading crisis communications, issues management, and rapid-response strategies, including coordinating messaging across internal and external audiences.
Ability to be onsite and available for crisis scenarios as needed, including outside standard workday hours.
Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
Decisive and resourceful, with the ability to anticipate emerging issues and identify strategic communications opportunities.
Ability to identify and prepare organizational spokespersons, develop messaging frameworks, and conduct media and crisis communications training.
Professional demeanor and ability to represent the National Aquarium favorably in a public forum.
Demonstrated ability to uphold and promote the Aquarium’s values and connect its communications efforts to its values and mission.

Responsibilities

Lead public relations strategy and oversee sustained, targeted campaigns intended to maintain and improve brand reputation and sentiment, as well as support gate and philanthropic revenue goals; guide and support the PR Manager.
Partner with the VP of External Affairs on public affairs and community affairs strategy; co-develop an integrated annual plan aligned with legislative, funding, and community priorities, and coordinate planning around media and issues intelligence, policy moments, public events, and announcements.
Translate policy and advocacy goals into narratives, message maps, talking points, testimony, op-eds, and briefing materials, using earned media and thought leadership to advance them.
Develop and execute integrated public relations and stakeholder communications with External Affairs to support relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders and advance organizational goals.
Execute the Aquarium’s thought leadership strategy by promoting its experts and areas of leadership.
Lead external messaging for large-scale organizational efforts, major projects, and high-profile fundraising efforts.
Own the annual report narrative and coordination.
Build and maintain media partner relationships and serve as the primary point of contact.
Collaborate with the Director of Internal Communications to develop complementary plans for internal and external messages to stakeholders.
Identify appropriate media spokespersons, develop message maps, and conduct media training.
Lead issues management, rapid response, and crisis communications, coordinating internal and external messages and cadence; serve as the primary external communications contact for media partners during crises.
Represent the Aquarium on community partner project teams and build relationships with key partner organizations.
Serve on internal and external committees as assigned.
Manage the PR agency of record and work with additional agencies and crisis communications firms as needed.
Support the company mission and adhere to organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned or required.