Director of Communications

Overview

The Director of Communications will support and enhance the external and internal communications of the entities that comprise the Shield-Ayres Enterprise:

Shield Land Stewardship Group (SLS): A passthrough management company providing comprehensive land and facilities management services for the Shield-Ayres-Bowen family ranchlands in Central and West Texas, investment properties in Travis and Hays Counties, and the Shield Ranch Foundation.

Shield Ranch Foundation (SRF): A nonprofit organization and private operating foundation offering year-round programming through the Campsite at Shield Ranch to fulfill its mission to share Shield Ranch Barton Creek in ways that educate, inspire, and transform.

Shield-Ayres Foundation (SAF): A nonprofit organization and private grantmaking foundation providing opportunities for the Shield-Ayres-Bowen family to support shared philanthropic interests.

The Director of Communications reports to Vera Ayres Bowen, President of Shield Ranch Foundation and Shield-Ayres Foundation and Vice President of Shield Land Stewardship Group.

General

• Establish and drive communications strategy
• Manage all communications materials (digital and print)
• Maintain brand integrity across all platforms
• Tell our story
• Refine messaging specific to the entities’ public profiles and audiences
• Support entity executives and board leadership in their roles as ambassadors for their organizations
• Lead communications for Shield Ranch Foundation programming, marketing and fundraising, including strategic initiatives
• Support internal communication within the enterprise (multi-generational family and staff)
• Participate in monthly meetings of the Shield-Ayres Enterprise Coordinating Council

Websites

• Work closely with the executives of each entity to ensure that enterprise websites are effective in connecting with their intended audiences and current in content and design
• Write or review new content for websites as requested by entity executives
• Develop content for the Shield Ranch news section and coordinate with guest contributors

Social Media

• Build and maintain an effective social media presence that supports Shield Ranch brand development
• Make frequent posts to highlight current activities, successes, events, incorporating seasonal photos and videos
• Direct and implement Camp El Ranchito social media content plan

Media Relations

• Manage media relations and develop contacts with media members, influencers and community leaders
• Actively seek and support the placement of timely news and information regarding enterprise entities in appropriate print and digital media

Design

• Lead the design and visual storytelling efforts across all external communications platforms to ensure brand consistency and audience engagement
• Create compelling visual content, including design for e-newsletter banners, program flyers, social media posts, digital invitations, one-pagers, interpretive materials, and web pages
• Provide creative direction for public-facing materials and campaigns
• Coordinate with photographers and videographers

Advocacy

• Ensure advocacy communications are aligned with strategic goals and adapted to evolving priorities while protecting Shield Ranch’s brand reputation
• Serve as primary point of contact for communications consultants supporting the advocacy of Shield Land Stewardship Group, Shield Ranch Foundation, and Shield-Ayres Foundation
• Support fundraising and donor relations efforts of the Shield Ranch Foundation through annual Impact Reports, fundraising campaigns, and materials.

Marketing

• Support the marketing operations of the Shield Ranch Foundation, including the programming of the Campsite at Shield Ranch community use, events, and Camp El Ranchito
• Support publicity around the grantmaking of the Shield-Ayres Foundation
• Support the revenue-generating operations of Shield Land Stewardship Group

Crisis Management

• Maintain a crisis management plan
• Train staff and board leadership in crisis management plan and protocols
• Support entity executives and board leadership in responding quickly and professionally to crises or challenging situations
• Occasionally support/participate in programming including events,…