Journalism Assistant Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Title: Director of Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Chief Revenue & Growth Officer

Location: Providence

Position Type: Full time, Exempt

Compensation Range: $90,000 - $115,000

Ocean State Media is the locally owned and operated award-winning public media organization serving Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Formerly known as Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio, Ocean State Media was established in 2025 to deliver in-depth local journalism and community connection. We are reimagining what public media can be. We listen first, partner with our neighbors, and make space for meaningful conversation. Wherever you are – on air, online, or out in the world – Ocean State Media is there with you, informing, engaging, and reflecting Rhode Island.

About the Role:

Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s home of NPR and PBS, delivers public media, programming, and education that informs, reflects, and connects Rhode Islanders.

As a key messenger and brand ambassador for the organization, the Director of Marketing and Communications plays a crucial role in promoting Ocean State Media’s public service journalism and educational programming and ensuring it reaches existing and new audiences where they want to connect. This role engages across the organization and helps to coordinate amplification and advertising strategies that span traditional media, social media, newsletters, events, and live programming.

Reporting to the Chief Revenue and Growth Officer, the Director spearheads the development and execution of Ocean State Media’s brand and go-to-market strategy, including earned, paid, and owned media opportunities. Across projects and partnerships, the Director seeks opportunities to boost discovery among new audiences and also assist cross-functional teams in deepening relationships with current supporters, including key donors and institutional funders. This role requires proficiency in cross-platform marketing strategy, creative development, budget management, campaign analysis and project management.

Essential Functions

Brand Strategy (25%)

• Collaborate with senior leadership to position Ocean State Media as a trusted and indispensable news and community resource across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

• Develop competitive brand-level and project-specific value propositions to strengthen Ocean State Media’s reach in market and influence strategic programming decisions internally.

• Spearhead consistent application of Ocean State Media brand standards by both staff and partners across owned, earned and paid placements, including radio, television, streaming, website, social media, email, OOH and more.

Marketing and Communications (25%)

• Develop and implement integrated, cross-channel marketing campaigns to build brand awareness, grow audience and engagement, and drive traffic to programs and events.

• Manage third-party advertising technology, including but not limited to Google Ads Manager and Meta Business Suite.

• Provide strategic counsel for membership and underwriting colleagues on supporter acquisition, retention, and engagement across platforms and projects, ensuring that organizational messaging and original storytelling is reaching appropriate audiences.

Creative Services (20%)

• Participate in the creation and coordination of promotional assets, including brand templates, advertising placements, supporter premiums, and other collateral.

• Coordinate internal and external creative resources, including but not limited to contract designers and Ocean State Media’s brand strategy firm of record.

• Ensure visual cohesion, consistency, and quality across all organizational communications.

Project Management (20%)

• Guide cross-functional teams in the implementation of product launches and strategic initiatives, as defined by the Chief Executive Officer.

• Help to establish standardized processes, clear workflows, and defined roles to drive organizational improvements, supercharge goal alignment, and empower more collaborative work.

• Provide quarterly updates to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team that cover successes, challenges, and opportunities across priority projects – synthesizing results and recommending action plans for senior leadership and other key stakeholders.

Reputation Management (10%)

• Act as day-to-day point of contact for Ocean State Media’s communications firm of record, coordinating the creation and distribution of press releases, public statements, and other organizational announcements prepared by the firm.

• Develop and distribute promotional materials for major organizational initiatives including awards, scholarships, enterprise journalism projects, strategic partnerships, and signature events on Ocean State Media’s owned platforms.

• Act as a strategic advisor on executive-level communications for both internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, business or a related field; master’s degree preferred.

• 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in media, marketing, communications, audience development or a related field; familiarity with nonprofit, public media or mission-driven organizations preferred.

• Demonstrated success leading brand development, managing integrated campaigns and advising on communications strategies.

• Experience managing creative projects, external vendors, and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Benefits: Benefits include generous health, dental, vision insurance and PTO as well as 13 paid holidays.

Ocean State Media is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) provider, committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

Candidates should send a cover letter highlighting the work and life experiences they think most qualifies them for the position, a resume and references.