Director of External Communications

Job Title: Director of External Communications

Posting Date: November 2026

Job Department: Marketing

Schedule: Full Time

Job Type: On-site/Hybrid

Location: Candler 111 Market Pl Suite 800 Baltimore MD 21202

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking a Director of External Communications to provide strategic leadership for the National Aquarium’s external communications, public relations and public affairs efforts, shaping and protecting the organization’s reputation while elevating its visibility, influence and impact among key audiences. 

The Director will have accountability for the Aquarium’s reputation and visibility including media and strategic stakeholder engagement to advance the Aquarium’s revenue, public affairs and community engagement goals. This individual will have strategic oversight of all external messaging and be responsible for directing public relations and strategic stakeholder strategies for the organization. The Director of External Communications 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 the Aquarium's organizational priorities. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

·       Lead public relations strategy, overseeing the development, implementation and management of sustained, targeted campaigns for the Aquarium with the goal of maintaining and improving NA’s brand reputation and sentiment as well as gate and philanthropic revenue goals. Provides guidance and support for the PR Manager in these efforts. 

·       Serve as a close strategic partner to the VP, External Affairs on public affairs and community affairs strategy. Co-develop an integrated annual plan that aligns communications with legislative, funding, and community priorities, and maintain a regular joint planning cadence to share media and issues intelligence and align on upcoming policy moments, public events, and announcements. Translate policy and advocacy goals into narratives, message maps, talking points, testimony, op-eds, and briefing materials, and use earned media and thought leadership to advance them. 

·       Develop and execute integrated public relations and stakeholder communications in partnership with External Affairs, supporting the Aquarium’s relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders to increase awareness, influence public dialogue, and advance organizational goals. 

·       Execute the National Aquarium’s thought leadership strategy, promoting the Aquarium’s experts and unique areas of leadership.  

·       Lead external messaging around large-scale organizational efforts, including major projects and high-profile fundraising efforts. 

·       Own the annual report narrative and coordination. 

·       Build and maintain relationships with media partners, serving as primary point of contact. 

·       Work collaboratively with the Director of Internal Comms to outline complementary comprehensive plans for internal and external messages to all stakeholders.  

·       Identify appropriate spokespersons for media opportunities, provide message maps and conduct media training. 

·       Lead issues management, rapid response management and crisis communications for NA, coordinating closely on internal/external messages and cadence. Serve as the primary external communications contact for media partners in crisis situations.  

·       Serve on community partner project teams representing the Aquarium and building relationships with key partner organizations.  

·       Serve on various internal and external committees as assigned.  

·       Manage the PR agency of record and partner with additional agencies and crisis communications firms as needed. 

·       Support company mission.

·       Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

·       Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, or related area.  

·       8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, public affairs, communications strategy or related field required.  

·       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 key 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 to address 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, at times outside of 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 appropriate organizational spokespersons, develop messaging frameworks and conduct media and crisis communications training. 

·       Professional demeanor to represent NA favorably in a public forum. 

·       Demonstrated ability to uphold and promote NA’s values and to link NA’s communications efforts to the values and the mission. 

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Salary range ($71,000-$92,399 Annual). National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package, including flexible paid leave and up to four weeks of paid family leave. Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work. Conservation day leave and 401(k) plan with employer match available.

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment.

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.

Salary : $71,000 - $92,399