The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

MTS seeks a full-time Communications Manager to join its growing and highly collaborative headquarters team. Reporting to the Director of Communications, this role is responsible for the execution, production, and delivery of MTS communications across digital platforms and programs.

The Communications Manager is a hands-on content creator with a strong design sensibility and attention to detail, capable of producing content that is not only accurate and engaging, but also visually consistent and on-brand. This role owns day-to-day execution and translates established messaging, priorities, and direction into finished communications products across written, visual, and multimedia formats.

The ideal candidate is both creative and precise: someone who notices spacing, alignment, tone, and timing, and who takes pride in delivering clean, professional work across every channel.

This role includes the following essential functions, and other duties as assigned:

Content Creation & Campaign Execution

• Execute communications plans and campaigns as defined and scoped by the Director of Communications, ensuring consistent tone, messaging, branding, and visual standards.
• Own the production of multiple newsletters (monthly and quarterly), including content planning, drafting, editing, layout coordination, scheduling, and distribution.
• Produce, write, edit, and publish content across select MTS platforms, including websites, blogs, emails, press releases, and social media.
• Translate technical and programmatic information into accessible, audience-appropriate content.
• Manage content workflows from draft through publication, including coordination of visuals, editing, proofreading, and approvals.

Visual Design, Multimedia, & Brand Execution

• Design and produce on-brand graphics, layouts, and digital assets for web, email, social media, and limited print use with tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Apply strong visual judgement to typography, color, imagery, spacing, and hierarchy across communications materials.
• Create and edit short-form video and multimedia content (e.g., social clips, interviews, event highlights, promotional assets), ensuring clean visuals, captions, and audio quality.
• Capture and edit photo and video content at events, conferences, and competitions as needed.
• Maintain visual and brand consistency across MTS and its flagship programs, including the MATE ROV Competition, Ocean Enterprise Initiative, and Ocean Exchange.

Website & Social Media Management

• Manage day-to-day layout, updates, and content maintenance across MTS websites using WordPress or similar CMS platforms.
• Publish and maintain accurate, up-to-date content for MTS programs, events, and initiatives.
• Plan, manage, and maintain content calendars to ensure deadlines are met and brand consistency is upheld across websites, social media, and digital communications.
• Create, schedule, and manage social media content that supports MTS programs, events, member engagement, and community storytelling.
• Monitor social media channels, respond as appropriate, and flag items requiring escalation or more thorough follow-up.

Program & Cross-Team Communications Support

• Proactively coordinate with internal teams, program staff, volunteers, and partners to support communications needs across MTS programs, conferences, competitions, and initiatives.
• Develop human-interest and community-focused content such as career profiles, alumni stories, company spotlights, and volunteer features.
• Produce and update program collateral including web forms, applications, welcome materials, templates, and digital toolkits.
• Coordinate timelines and deliverables to ensure communications products align with program schedules and priorities.

Performance Tracking & Optimization

• Monitor engagement metrics across newsletters, websites, email campaigns, and social media channels.
• Compile performance summaries and insights for review by the Director of Communications.
• Support the execution and optimization of promotional tools and initiatives (e.g., Google Ad Grant), as directed.

What you bring to the role:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution (preference for communications, graphic design, marketing, ocean science, or related disciplines), and at least three years of full-time experience in communications, marketing, or public relations; or an associate’s degree and at least five years of relevant, full-time experience.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to draft concise, compelling, and audience-appropriate messages.
• Demonstrated graphic design and visual content experience, including the ability to create polished, on-brand graphics, layouts, and multimedia assets for digital platforms.
• Proficiency with design and video tools such as Canva, Adobe Create Suite, Cap Cut, or similar, and a clear eye for visual quality and consistency.
• Proficiency with WordPress or similar CMS platforms, email marketing tools, and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated experience using project management tools (e.g., Trello or similar platforms) to organize, track, and deliver work.
• Working knowledge of basic HTML, SEO best practices, and digital analytics.
• Ability to translate technical or complex subject matter into accessible communications.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and reliable, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and consistently adhere to deadlines.
• Interest in marine technology and enthusiasm for supporting mission-driven programs, communities, and workforce development initiatives.

What we have to offer:

• Salary commensurate with experience and negotiable, expected to be $70-75k per year.
• MTS staff work flexible hours and are fully remote.
• 403(b) retirement match up to 5%, vested immediately.
• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision for you (80% employer paid for dependents).
• 2 weeks paid annual leave, 2 weeks paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.
• $100 per month work from home stipend to help you succeed in a remote environment.

To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and work sample(s)* to chelsea.bladow@mtsociety.org. Application review will begin February 2 and continue until the position has been filled.

*Work samples should demonstrate strong writing, editing, and visual judgement across digital channels, such as email or newsletter content, social media posts or campaigns, web content, graphics, or short-form video.