Manager, Media Relations & Public Awareness

Nature of the Position

Leads ASLA’s regional and chapter-based public relations efforts, manages production of ASLA’s member-facing newsletter, and supports strategic content sharing across internal and externally aligned platforms. This is a hands-on, externally facing role requiring excellent communication, writing, editorial, and media collaboration skills. The manager will work closely with ASLA chapters to develop a broad knowledge of the landscape architecture profession and ASLA programs and goals with the goal of raising visibility for the profession at the local level and supporting consistent messaging and storytelling across ASLA’s communications landscape.

Responsibilities

Overall PR and Communications Support

• Creates and implements public awareness and media relations strategies to support ASLA programs such as World Landscape Architecture Month, ASLA’s awards and honors, ASLA leadership, ASLA’s annual conference, public policy and issue priorities, the promotion of landscape architecture and the role of landscape architects, and other ongoing public awareness campaigns.
• Reflects the diversity of the profession and the communities it serves in ASLA’s media and public awareness efforts, including through inclusive storytelling and representation.
• Defines and tracks success metrics for public relations and media outreach campaigns, in collaboration with the communications team, to inform strategy and improve visibility efforts.

Chapter and Regional PR Coordination

• Serves as the primary liaison to communications contacts at ASLA’s 49 chapters.
• Leads ASLA’s national PR Chair Committee of chapter volunteers. Facilitates regular virtual meetings, coordinates communications through Basecamp, and helps align chapter efforts with national media and messaging goals.
• Provides media strategy support to chapters, including messaging guidance, media toolkits, and story development.
• Collaborates with chapter leaders to shape and pitch stories to local and regional media.
• Tracks local chapter media activity and coverage; identifies opportunities for amplification or integration into national efforts.

Content Strategy and Cross-Platform Integration

• Identifies compelling content and story leads from across the organization and membership to support both ASLA’s core channels and aligned external platforms.
• Collaborates with colleagues across communications, education, advocacy, and events to develop consistent, engaging content.
• Ensures message alignment and voice consistency across platforms and audiences.

Newsletter Management

• Oversees the planning, writing, editing, and production of ASLA’s twice-monthly member-facing digital newsletter.
• Gathers and curates content from across departments, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and member needs.
• Coordinates design, layout, scheduling, and deployment of each issue.
• Monitors newsletter performance to support ongoing improvement and engagement.

Media Relations and Public Awareness Support

• Develops and maintains relationships with local and regional journalists in partnership with chapters.
• Monitors press coverage for ASLA, the profession, and priority topics such as climate adaptation, infrastructure, and public space.
• Provides talking points, messaging materials, and PR coaching to chapter leaders as needed.
• Maintains media and speaker contact lists relevant to chapter and regional coverage.
• Supports ASLA’s crisis communications strategy by preparing messaging for sensitive topics and helping manage issue response in coordination with senior leadership.
• Upholds the ASLA values and culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Background/Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 6 to 8 years of experience in public relations, marketing, media, media relations, or a related field.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of issues, institutions, and individuals related to landscape architecture, landscape architects, and the built and natural environments (strongly preferred).
• Superior writing skills with the ability to produce under tight deadlines.
• Proven track record of media placements and successful public relations and awareness campaigns.
• Experience in and understanding of current media relations and public communication techniques and platforms, including traditional, online, and social media.
• Excellent organizational skills, good judgment, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a heavy workload with both short- and long-term deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and work well under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with online media-relations tools, graphic design, and website content management systems (strongly preferred).
• Experience with policy advocacy communication (desired).

ASLA offers a competitive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, vision insurance, company-paid STD & LTD, 401k plan with employer match, and celebrates 11 paid holidays per year.

This position is based in Washington, D.C., with a hybrid schedule. A set in-office schedule of two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is required. The remaining 3 days/week are remote.

Flexible work from home options available.

Compensation

$70,000.00 per year

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About ASLA

The American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 82 student chapters. The Society has a staff of 42 and annual revenues of $12.9 million.

Landscape architects plan livable communities that foster active lifestyles, design parks and streets that manage stormwater runoff, plan cutting-edge transportation corridors that are safe for all users, and help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.

Landscape architecture includes commercial developments, streetscapes, green roofs, parks, civic spaces, memorials, and residential communities, as well as large-scale land planning and design to protect watersheds, coastlines, and ecosystems. The Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.

ASLA offers an attractive, competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and life insurance; a generous 401(k) plan; a comprehensive wellness program; and flexible schedules. Employees are expected to be in the office 2 days a week – Tuesdays and Wednesdays. All other days are typically remote.

Learn more here