Director, Communications

The Climate Imperative Foundation seeks a Director of Communications in Washington, DC. This role involves designing and executing the communications strategy, advising senior leadership, and managing media relations. Candidates should have over 10 years of communications experience, including 5 years in the climate or energy sectors. The position emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring process.
POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Communications will design and lead the execution of Climate Imperative's communications strategy. This role requires a seasoned communications practitioner with experience navigating climate-related politics within the U.S. and between the U.S. and its trading partners. This role will work with senior leadership to lead Climate Imperative's communications work.

OUR COMMITMENT

Energy Innovation is committed to diversity, equity, & inclusion and to a transparent recruitment process that fosters belonging. Our goal is to hire and advance people regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, military service, medical condition, and any other protected characteristic under local, state, or federal law. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to an accessible employee experience. If at any time you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact jobs@climateimperative.org.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Communications Planning
• Design, communicate, and guide the organization's communications strategy, furthering our mission and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders
• Advise senior leadership on the communications needs and organizational implications of each of its initiatives
• Partner with each Initiative Director to ensure a robust communications strategy for each initiative
• Lead implementation of initiative communications strategies to meet goals and uplift the mission of the Foundation
• Coordinate with partners on a range of communications activities
• Create an internal communications plan that keeps the Board and staff informed of initiatives

Responsive Communications
• Update responsive communications plans as needed
• Assess the Foundation's reputational risk and create plans to minimize such risks
• Develop responsive strategies and actions, draft materials, and serve as a liaison to funders and stakeholders
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Communications, develop and lead ongoing responsive communications trainings for Climate Imperative staff

Media and Online Presence
• Serve as the main point of contact for all media inquiries and proactive media outreach
• Manage outside communications consultants as needed
• Provide media training and support for CI staff, as needed
• Ensure consistent messaging in all internal and external documents
• Lead and manage the online strategy and analytics for the Climate Imperative website to ensure content is current and engaging, and aligned on messaging

EXPERIENCE
• 10+ years of professional experience in communications
• 5+ years of experience working in climate and/or energy field with a deep understanding of the political complexity of these issues
• Experience working globally in a range of political environments
• Exceptional research, analysis, synthesis, and written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency with quantitative information and the ability to translate technical data into accessible language
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to set clear priorities
• Keen analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills that enable sound decision making and ensure proper follow through while monitoring actions and results
• Seeks out and delivers timely and direct feedback that contributes to the ongoing development of oneself and team members
• Promptly resolves problems through timely consultation in an environment of mutual respect
• Understanding of energy technology and climate science
• Interest, passion, and commitment to reducing climate change
• Ability to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and collaborative environment

SALARY

We provide a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The target national salary range is $145,000 to $155,000 with adjustments made for people in higher-expense markets, i.e. the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington D.C. Currently, all staff local to the San Francisco and DC offices go into the office one to three days a week. Equity is incredibly important to the organization, and a pay audit for equity is completed annually.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role is done primarily in an office environment.

An employee must be able to satisfy the following physical requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Remain in a stationary position (at a desk) for at least 75% of the day
• Use hand and fingers to type
• Frequently communicate via phone or video and email and must be able to communicate using those methods

This description reflects essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

BENEFITS

We provide a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits include:
• Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental, and vision
• Short and long term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Carrot fertility and family planning benefits
• Student loan repayment assistance
• 401k retirement plan with a company match contribution
• Public transportation benefit options
• Cell phone and health/wellness reimbursement
• Parental Leave
• 14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
• Regular staff lunches and team building activities
• SF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beverages
• An innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture

BENEFITS

We provide a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits include:
• Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental, and vision
• Short term and long term disability insurance
• Company sponsored life insurance and voluntary life
• Carrot fertility and family planning benefits
• Student loan repayment assistance
• 401k retirement plan with a company match contribution
• Annual professional development budget
• Internet, cell phone, and health & wellness reimbursement
• 14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
• Paid parental leave, jury duty, and bereavement
• Public transportation benefit options for office staff
• Regular staff lunches and team building activities
• SF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beverages
• An innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture

ABOUT US

Climate change is governed by physical facts—about carbon sources, accumulation, impacts, and timing, and more importantly, about solutions that work. These facts must inform strategy: they show that avoiding dangerous climate change is only possible through strong policy to cut carbon, promptly, in the biggest countries.

To address these issues, Climate Imperative was founded to provide additional resources to the field of climate policy in this decisive decade. Climate Imperative is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on solving the climate crisis at speed and scale by providing funding, technical support, and expertise to win the world's most significant emissions reduction policy decisions within the next ten years.

We support a hybrid work environment and require all employees to come together in person one to two times per year.

If you experience any issues while submitting your application, please reach out to us at jobs@climateimperative.org for assistance.