As the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Chief Communications Officer, Elijah leads a team that is responsible for all communications functions within GMRI, including brand management and strategy, program communications for stakeholder audiences, marketing and fundraising communications, content production and design services, crisis communications, public relations, and more. His team is responsible for the development and dissemination of consistent internal and external brand messages and oversees the many channels through which these messages are transmitted. Additionally, Elijah collaborates with other members of the organization's management team to align departmental strategy and direction with the overall goals of the organization.

Strategy: Synthesizes observations and insights across all program areas to inform organization-wide strategy at GMRI. Articulates and pursues a long-term strategy and vision for communications.Program Communications: Supports the needs of program staff through the management of Program Communications Specialist and provides strategic advice to programs on key initiatives. Supports complex stakeholder outreach strategy across an 80-person organization while also managing urgent inbound requests from development team, program staff, and management team.Content Production: Manages the production of quality web and print content (blog, newsletter, annual reports, one-off reports for program staff, etc.), and the required sub-processes (graphic design, printing, management of contractors and vendors, etc.).Marketing and Fundraising: Partners with Chief Development Officer to strategize, organize, and execute joint efforts that serve the fundraising needs of the organization through communications channels such as print, web, email, social media, and public relations. Other responsibilities: Acts as key partner for all major institutional efforts with an external/public component. Manages reputational impacts and public perception as the organization enters new spaces, bids for public money, recruits talent to the organization, and otherwise interfaces with the outside world.

Identifies, produces, and refines content for multiple audiences:• Works with program staff across the organization to identify timely and relevant stories, producing electronic and printed content to share these stories in a variety of formats for multiple audiences • Manages GMRI’s social media presence and assists programs with targeted tactics/feedsManages media relations:• Manages all GMRI inbound media inquiries, including coordinating with and pre-interview coaching of GMRI staff• Develops and executes a multi-tiered outbound regional/national PR strategy • Writes and executes press releases and pitches pieces to support comprehensive PR strategy • Monitors news clips about GMRI and issues relevant to our market spaceManages GMRI website:• Manages and resolves incoming requests to address technical issues and updates• Maintains cohesiveness of site architecture, content, style, and voice across departments, programs, and site sections• Leads the development of all new features and sections, coordinating the efforts of programs staff, developers, and designersIdentifies and executes GMRI’s communications strategy:• Identifies and prioritizes key audiences and implements strategies for targeted communications• Designs and executes an annual plan for organizational communications and leads internal monthly communications planning meetings• Advises program staff and assists them with writing, design, brand adherence, etc. as neededManages graphic design department: • Provides daily guidance and feedback to graphic design contractors and serves as on-site graphic design representative• Manages organization, prioritization, and timely delivery of graphic design projects• Ensures the effectiveness and brand cohesion of website and ongoing projects

Campaign Responsibilities:-Updates campaign data in Raisers Edge database and maintains a variety of tools and reports, such as gift tables and solicitation tracking and campaign progress reports-Conducts research and assists staff in drafting compelling content for a variety of targeted campaign and donor stewardship communications for individuals and groups of donors-Conducts research on prospective campaign donors and compiles donor profiles for upcoming meetings and events-Works with staff to draft campaign newsletters and updates-Works with Executive Assistant and Donor Relations Manager to identify and drive forward key actions for staff and volunteer completion-Supports campaign volunteer committee meetings and projects -Advances triage system for newly identified prospects to ensure proper follow-up and attention-Supports weekly staff campaign planning and donor strategy meetings -Assists in preparation for donor meetings with staff and volunteers, including distributing briefings and organizing cultivation and solicitation materialsCommunications Responsibilities:-Serves as Development print project manager, acting as liaison between print vendor and staff clients to ensure timely completion of various communications-Assists with tracking media contacts and managing press clips-Helps with regular maintenance of GMRI's web site-Drafts short news stories highlighting program (Research, Community, Education) impacts for e-mail and blog updates-Assists Communications Manager with other writing assignments as required for newsletters, press releases, and social media-Helps to craft presentation templates (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.) for GMRI staff speakers to deliver to general audiences-Generates e-newsletters and other electronic mailings-Helps to maintain GMRI's Media Library-Assists in multimedia and video production and editing as needed

-Supported retail merchandiser with development of seasonal merchandise strategies for the retail channel -Provided in-depth weekly business summaries and recaps to senior leaders Partnered with planning, allocations, and visual merchandising colleagues to ensure execution of assortment plans. -Assisted retail merchandiser with data entry and analysis in assortment planning software -Performed in-depth analysis of product performance in the retail channel. Assisted with identifying in-season trends and sales opportunities, both for immediate action steps and for future season planning -Worked in concert with Merchandiser to select retail-only products from the market and determine assortment plans for that product -Managed external vendors to maximize volume and profit for specific merchandise category-Partnered with supply chain colleagues on forecasts, reorders, and ramp down of retail-only product-Helped plan, execute, and manage markdowns and promotions that achieve business goals and company objectives

-Responsible for supporting Corporate Communication efforts including powerpoint decks, intranet content, company news, and more-Assists Change Management team for a major strategic initiative -Schedule and Coordinate A/V activities and communications-Supports Enterprise Project Management Office revitalization effort, participating in subcommittees and assisting Team Lead-Responsible for building historical archive of major events in company history

-Utilized donor data base (Raiser's Edge)-Accompanied staff on solicitations-Developed effective communications, including social media activities-Performed administrative activities/tasks supporting development activities-Built research files-Supported creation of development plans for specific activities-Assisted in managing donor/sponsor recognition program-Compiled market research for potential outreach opportunities-Pursued creative promotional opportunities-Created interactive map displaying grant distribution-Researched and documented local media (newspaper, radio, tv, etc.) for communications-Responsible for over $10,000 of corporate sponsorships-In-line web editing

Circulation desk, stacks organization, assisting students with research, inter-library loan requests, floor monitor.

Non-Profit Campaigns for Environment Maine and U.S. PIRG. Duties included: membership support, group leadership of teams of up to 5 people, recruitment, employee training, fundraising.