The Jax Riverfront Alliance is now seeking a full-time Marketing & Communications Manager.

Jacksonville is standing on the edge of unparalleled transformation, and we want YOU to help lead the charge. The St. Johns River is our city’s greatest asset, a cornerstone of our identity well on its way to reaching its full potential as a world-class destination. The Jax Riverfront Alliance (JRA) has arrived to bridge that gap, serving as a pivotal public-private partnership working together with the City of Jacksonville to create a vibrant, interconnected network of parks that unites neighborhoods, celebrates the river, and offers welcoming spaces to gather, enjoy nature, and build community. By joining us on the ground floor, you aren’t just taking a job; you are joining a movement to reclaim the heart of our city and deliver the vibrant, connected riverfront experience Jacksonville has long imagined.

While the Jax Riverfront Alliance is currently in an energetic startup phase, our mission is built on a rock-solid foundation of national best practices and expert analysis. We have moved beyond the drawing board and are currently in the middle of an aggressive scaling-up phase, professionalizing our staff and systems to assume full operational responsibility for several park assets in 2027, beginning with the priority spaces at Riverfront Plaza and Riverfront Music Garden — the heart of our city and riverfront’s front porch. This is your chance to build a legacy from the ground up, backed by the city’s top civic leaders and a data-driven roadmap to excellence.

With a national search currently underway for a CEO experienced in urban park systems management and execution of a formal partnership agreement with the City, the Jax Riverfront Alliance will be launching publicly later this year. At its full function in the near future, the organization will be responsible for maintenance of riverfront parks, programming of these public spaces, management of riverfront venues, and marketing of the riverfront experience.

Position Summary

This position will contribute to the voice and soul of the Jax Riverfront Alliance and our relationship with the community. The Marketing & Communications Manager will serve as the JRA’s inaugural brand steward, storyteller, and media liaison, leading initiatives that elevate visibility, promote events and programming, grow audiences, increase awareness, and strengthen community connections. The role collaborates closely with community partners to implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to cross-promote riverfront activations and events. strategic priorities. This is a unique opportunity for a creative, strategic professional who loves both building big-picture plans and rolling up their sleeves to execute them. It’s especially perfect for someone wanting to contribute to the groundswell of momentum in Downtown Jax.

Responsibilities

Communications Leadership

  • Serve as the Alliance’s primary marketing strategist, brand steward, and content creator.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan that aligns with the Alliance’s strategic goals and priorities.
  • Work cross-functionally with stakeholders to amplify institutional messaging.

Content Development & Distribution

  • In conjunction with colleagues and vendors, research, fact-check, write, design, and produce content for all digital and print platforms, including website, e-newsletters, social media, and donor communications.
  • Ensure the Alliance’s website is updated and its brand is aligned across all platforms.
  • Maintain consistency of tone, message, and branding in all materials.
  • Communicate with donors and other key stakeholders to support the Alliance’s mission and to keep stakeholders informed of activity happening along the river and within riverfront public spaces.
  • Manage and grow the Alliance’s digital presence, including social media platforms and email communications.
  • Create and schedule original content tailored to platform and audience.
  • Monitor analytics and engagement data to inform future strategies.

Media Relations & Publicity

  • Write and distribute press releases and build strong relationships with local, regional, and national media interested in downtown Jacksonville’s riverfront.
  • Respond to media inquiries and proactively pitch stories to increase visibility.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

  • In conjunction with leadership, cultivate relationships with community organizations, stakeholders and partners, and local marketing agencies and influencers to extend the JRA’s storytelling reach.
  • Represent the Alliance at community events and professional gatherings.

Project Management

  • Coordinate timelines and deliverables for all marketing-related projects.
  • Manage relationships with outside vendors and freelancers as needed.
  • Contribute to planning and execution of event programming and fundraising events as needed.
  • Contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Strong interpersonal skills and experience working at a team-oriented organization.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires good solid judgement on the organization’s behalf.
  • Current driver’s license with clean driving record.
  • “Roll up your sleeves” approach and willingness to pitch in on all tasks required for project success.
  • Willing to make and receive unscheduled calls to people and vendors you don’t know, talk to strangers, and represent the organization professionally while doing so.
  • Ability to work both independently without direct supervision as well as part of a collaborative team.
  • Relationship building between vendors, stakeholders, and community members is essential.

Qualifications

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to create compelling content for a broad array of target audiences.
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva is preferred.
  • Proficiency in digital platforms including content management systems, email marketing, and social media tools.
  • Occasional evening and weekend availability is required to support the riverfront’s peak activation times.
  • Passion for a vibrant and active downtown Jacksonville riverfront.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
  • Candidates with related education or demonstrated experience in marketing, communications, public relations, urban planning, economic development, parks or public space management, fundraising, and/or nonprofit management will receive priority consideration.

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Position Type: Full-Time Equivalent – Exempt 

Pay & Benefits

  • Annual Salary Range: $70,000 to $85,000; We are open to candidates with a range of experience levels for this role. Compensation will be based on each candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, and overall fit for the position. Candidates with additional expertise, specialized knowledge, or demonstrated success in similar roles may be eligible for compensation toward the higher end of the posted salary range.
  • As part of the total compensation package, employees receive a company-funded benefits contribution to support the purchase of health insurance and other benefits that best meet their individual needs.
  • Our office is located in downtown Jacksonville, right in the heart of all the action.
  • The position offers some flexibility in hours and remote work, in coordination with the team.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday structure.
  • Benefit structure may grow as the organization grows.

Flexible Reporting & Organizational Growth

The JRA is currently in a scaling-up phase, transitioning from a young organization to a professionalized staff. Consequently, the reporting structure for this role will evolve:

Near-Term: Initially, the Programming & Events Manager will report to the Interim Director, Board Chair, and Board of Directors.
Transition: Reporting will transition to the permanent CEO upon hire.
Long-Term: As the organization grows and completes its staffing plan, oversight may shift to a VP or other similar role to ensure alignment between programming and site management.

To Apply:

Please submit an application HERE or send a résumé with cover letter via email to:  ecumiskey@dynamiccorp.com.

No phone calls or texts please.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The Jax Riverfront Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement, and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status, or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of Florida law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Position published 7/31/26

About Us

Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront is envisioned as a world-class destination: a vibrant, interconnected network of parks that unite neighborhoods, celebrate the river, and offer welcoming spaces to gather, enjoy nature, and build community. More than green space, these public spaces are a catalyst for economic growth, cultural vitality, healthy living, and resilience—supporting a thriving, dynamic city now and for generations to come. The Jax Riverfront Alliance will become the City’s trusted partner in the operation, maintenance, programming, and long-term planning of destination riverfront public spaces; identify and secure a diversified portfolio funding sources to sustain riverfront activation; establish partnerships with key public, private, and community stakeholders; determine key performance metrics for success and implement robust data collection; and build a new public-private partnership model based on proven approaches from other communities while leveraging the momentum and opportunities unique to Jacksonville.

Over the years, the City of Jacksonville has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to expand water access and enhance public parks, matched by significant private-sector investment and robust community engagement to create a dynamic mixed-use destination along the St. Johns River. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund’s 2022 Activation Plan for Downtown Jacksonville’s Riverfront, informed by robust community and stakeholder input, outlined a bold vision for activating and placemaking along the riverfront. Building on that work, a steering committee of 19 public, private, and civic leaders collaborated throughout 2025 to identify and design a public-private partnership structure to manage the Downtown riverfront, culminating in the formation of the Jax Riverfront Alliance in August 2025.

Our structure is grounded in best practices from some of the nation’s most vibrant and celebrated public spaces, adapted deliberately for Jacksonville’s unique character and needs. This dedicated, place-based, independent, nonprofit organization is here to work with the City of Jacksonville to ensure the riverfront reaches its full potential as an exceptional destination.