Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations

Peninsula Open Space Trust • Palo Alto, CA

1d • $130,590 - $145,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations If you believe powerful storytelling can protect land, shape public understanding, and bring more people into the conservation movement, this role is for you. As Senior Manager, Communications & Media Relations reporting to our Chief Marketing Officer , you will lead POST’s media and communications strategy—crafting clear, compelling narratives that advance land conservation, support policy and project goals, and reflect our commitment to equity, inclusion, and public access. Partnering closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, you will guide how POST communicates in moments of opportunity and urgency, ensuring our mission, values, and impact are represented with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Why You’ll Love This Role You’ll operate at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and impact—shaping how a mission-driven organization shows up in the world. You’ll have a seat at the table with senior leadership, the autonomy to lead bold communications strategies, and the opportunity to translate complex land, policy, and equity work into stories that resonate with diverse communities. If you thrive on trust, collaboration, and high-stakes moments—and you’re energized by turning big ideas into clear, compelling narratives that advance conservation and belonging—you’ll find this role both challenging and deeply meaningful. POST is currently a hybrid workplace . Our hybrid work policy supports work schedule design for time in the office, field, or remote that optimizes individual and team performance based on specific job requirements. The successful candidate for this job should expect to be in the office several days per week and must live within a reasonable driving distance to POST ’s Palo Alto office, to its lands on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the South Bay .

Requirements

• 7 + years of professional experience in corporate communications including media relations.
• A strong understanding of the Bay Area land conservation industry, players, practices and norms.
• A strategic communications professional with a strong ability to communicate and work across multiple stakeholders on story opportun i ties and projects .
• Strong media relations skills with experience in crisis communications.
• Comfortable providing counsel to C-level executives, and working independently to identify problems and solutions.
• Ability to move seamlessly between big strategic thinking and tactical execution , and juggle multiple, sometimes competing priorities, to set a vision and guide colleagues toward implementation.
• An excellent verbal and written storyteller able to craft compelling corporate narratives.
• Experienced in public relations agency management and resource allocation.
• Able to work with discretion, professionalism and sensitivity when dealing with complex, sensitive, and confidential issues.
• Diplomacy and positivity in challenging situations , and the ability to receive and deliver constructive criticism.
• Experience working under tight deadlines with speed, accuracy and consistency.
• Willingness to speak directly to various audiences including media, staff, board and public.
• Excellent project management skills with understanding of models such as RASCI and/or MOCHA project management frameworks.
• Well - versed in all current communications tools across platforms such as the Google application suite, Microsoft tools and online meeting platforms.
• Regular and accurate communication with others and completion of work tasks involving the use of phone, computer, web, and video technology, the ability to interact effectively with digital and printed materials, and to operate required job-related equipment.
• Ability to drive a vehicle for offsite meetings or to visit remote locations .
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. of equipment or supplies in the office or field.
• Ability to traverse uneven or rough terrain, and to tolerate exposure to outdoor elements and varying weather conditions when attending events on the land.
• There are occasional duties that occur outside regular working hours.

Responsibilities

• Build and execute proactive and reactive media communications strategies and tactics that support land projects and transactions, local, state and federal policy work when needed, and general POST corporate activities using messaging that effectively communicate s our mission, vision, strategic plan directions and values. Weave separate initiatives into a comprehensive narrative when possible.
• Lead the process to define, coordinate and disseminate high-impact messages across internal teams, including subject matter experts, content, digital, fundraising and executive teams. Collaborate with external partners, legal counsel, and other relevant parties as necessary for coordination and alignment .
• Work to incorporate POST’s three pillars of building climate resilience, enhancing biodiversity and expanding equitable public access to nature into messaging content, media relations, and activities in a way that makes POST ’s brand accessible, welcoming and friendly to all the communities we serve.
• Develop relationships with and act as the central point of contact with media contacts that focus on land conservation, land use, local climate change - related issues, and other stakeholders while managing and optimizing our PR agency relationship.
• Engage and align POST staff and board with messaging initiatives including public - facing assets like media statements, blog posts, communications plans, briefing materials for spokespeople and more.
• Prepare and train spokespeople both internal and external to POST as appropriate.
• Advise POST leadership on media strategy, and clearly communicate various campaign goals and performance metrics .
• Support crisis communications when necessary and quickly drive cross - functional team alignment ; regularly anticipat e reputational risks and develop appropriate communication actions.
• Manage in-bound press inquiries on a range of time-sensitive issues and other mid- and longer-term opportunities .

Benefits

• excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision , retirement account contribution & matching, generous time off, paid maternity/paternity/family medical leave, pet insurance, excellent learning and mental/physical wellness programs, personal mobile/internet usage stipend , commuter benefits, and more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees