Grassland loss is one of the most urgent conservation challenges facing eastern North American biodiversity. The Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) is working to reverse this trend through science, restoration, education, and partnerships.

The Director of Communications plays a central role in advancing SGI’s mission by translating complex conservation science into compelling, accessible content that inspires action. This position is responsible for managing SGI’s day-to-day communications, growing its audience, and elevating its visibility among key stakeholders, including funders, partners, policymakers, and the public.

This role requires a creative storyteller, strong project manager, and strategic thinker who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. This position is grant-funded for three years, with future funding opportunities available. The Director of Communications will report directly to SGI’s Chief of Staff.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Planning

• Develop and manage an annual communications plan

• Identify opportunities to elevate SGI’s visibility and impact through proactive communications

• Ensure messaging supports organizational goals, including outreach, partnerships, and fundraising

Content Development & Storytelling

• Develop, write, and distribute a wide range of communications materials, including website content, newsletters, blogs, reports, and social media

• Translate scientific and technical information into engaging, audience-friendly narratives
• Coordinate and support the collection of field-based content (photos, videos, and updates) in collaboration with program staff

• Highlight SGI’s research, restoration projects, and community engagement efforts through compelling storytelling

Digital & Social Media Management

• Manage and update SGI’s website, ensuring content is current and engaging

• Oversee social media platforms, including content planning, posting, and audience engagement
• Monitor analytics and adjust strategies to improve performance and reach

• Grow SGI’s digital presence and strengthen audience engagement

Partnership & Stakeholder Communications

• Collaborate with partners, including federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, to develop joint communications

• Create materials that effectively communicate SGI’s work to diverse audiences, including the general public, technical partners, and funders

• Support relationship-building through clear, consistent, and strategic messaging

Media & Public Relations

• Draft press releases, media pitches, and public-facing announcements

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and partners

• Identify and pursue opportunities to increase SGI’s media coverage and visibility

Program & Development Support

• Support grant proposals and technical reports by contributing clear, compelling narrative content

• Assist in communicating program outcomes and impact to funders and stakeholders

• Contribute to donor communications and organizational reporting materials

Project Management

• Manage multiple communications projects simultaneously and meet deadlines

• Coordinate with internal staff, external partners, and vendors as needed

• Contribute to additional communications initiatives as organizational needs evolve

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing and reportorial skills
• Excellent strategic thinking skills.
• Expertise & experience with progressive use of digital and web-related communications. This includes strong understanding of social networking plus emerging web technologies.
• Expert communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, environmental studies, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or a related role
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Experience managing websites and social media platforms
• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to translate technical or scientific information for general audiences

Preferred

• Experience in conservation, environmental science, or nonprofit communications

• Familiarity with grassland ecosystems, biodiversity, or land management issues
• Experience with content management systems (e.g., Squarespace)
• Basic graphic design and/or multimedia skills (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)

• Experience with email marketing platforms and analytics tools

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

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Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.

Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/.

Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.

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The Director of Communications plays a central role in advancing SGI’s mission by translating complex conservation science into compelling, accessible content that inspires action. This position is responsible for managing SGI’s day-to-day communications, growing its audience, and elevating its visibility among key stakeholders, including funders, partners, policymakers, and the public.