Climate Nexus was created to be the behind-the-scenes connector to ensure coherent, effective climate communications and to elevate the work of a broad network of partners, including youth groups, environmental justice allies, cities and state leaders, and more. Climate Nexus provides pro bono support to organizations that work on climate change and clean energy and believes the “story” of climate change is the foundation on which meaningful action is built. Our job is to tell that story to as many people as possible. Climate Nexus is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. We are seeking an Associate Director, Energy Transition to lead clean energy work on our Energy Transition team.

Climate Nexus is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Role

The Associate Director will lead Climate Nexus’ work on clean energy, including carrying out a cohesive strategic communications program reaching media, policymakers and key constituencies on advancing the transition to a clean energy electricity grid. They will report to the Senior Director, Science and Energy. This is a full time position.

Climate Nexus’ clean energy work uses strategic communications to help the power sector rapidly transition to renewable energy by telling the stories about where that’s happening successfully across the country. We recognize that the power sector is the bedrock for all other sectors to electrify, and that the energy transition has the opportunity to dismantle unjust energy systems of the past. Our work aims to help increase political ambition, while driving home the economic, health, and equity benefits that a renewable energy grid can provide.

Responsibilities:

• Workstream lead: Act as the organizational lead on clean energy; track the technological, market, policy and consumer changes in the power sector, as well as entrenched opposition arguments to renewable energy, and develop/seed new narratives in the media based on that information
• Strategic partnership management: Lead relationship development with key NGOs, industry, stakeholders, and decisionmakers working on renewable energy
• Media strategy, relations and outreach: Develop and lead execution of media strategy that builds narratives about the energy transition; determine the news value of stories and new angles; craft media products (including statements, pitches, press releases); build and foster relationships with reporters and editors across national and trade outlets who cover the sector; cultivate spokespeople that reach target audiences; identify and lead rapid response where necessary
• Project management: Manage internal cross-team and external collaboration to deliver complete products on time, work across multiple priorities and disciplines (including earned media, partnership management, digital marketing and polling/message development) to ensure appropriate coordination; develop project-specific campaigns in line with broader workstream goals; track and evaluate success of the workstream; assist in identifying and raising funds to support the work

Attributes:

Required

• Self-starting project leader who can work across multiple disciplines to deliver complete work on time
• Strategic communications and media relations experience including pitching reporters, developing feature story ideas, drafting op-eds, knowledge of clean energy news
• Demonstrated experience developing project strategy, media campaigns, and evaluating success of each
• Flexible and able to move quickly on fast-breaking assignments
• Strong verbal and written communication, able to convey ideas and thinking clearly and concisely
• Active interest in engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work within Climate Nexus, including ensuring equity is central to team strategy and communications work
• Ability to translate complex energy concepts for the media and lay audiences
• Strong research skills, ability to write persuasively and find and cite primary sources

Preferred

• Knowledge of and experience working in clean energy and the energy transition at the national or sub-national level in the U.S.
• At least 8 years of experience in communications, public relations and/or media relations, journalism, or clean energy communications
• Well-connected with journalists who cover issues related to clean energy
• Experience with communications tactics across media platforms (print, broadcast, web, digital)
• Knowledge of federal policy landscape, particularly on clean energy issues
• Knowledge of earned media and marketing software, including Hubspot and Cision
• Comfort with G-suite, Slack, Zoom, and other office software/platforms

Location:

Flexible. Climate Nexus has Washington, D.C. and New York City offices, although our staff is currently fully remote. Remote candidates within the United States will be considered, although occasional travel to our New York and D.C. offices will be required when it is safe.

While we value work/life balance, due to the nature of news this role will sometimes require work outside traditional hours.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $105,000, commensurate with experience. Climate Nexus offers a generous benefits package, including paid vacation, personal and sick leave; standard health, dental, and vision packages; generous employer contributions to 401k retirement accounts; parental leave and commuter transit benefit.

Application Process:

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume, covering letter and two writing samples – preferably a strategic communications product showcasing ability to translate technical information – to jobs@climatenexus.org under the subject line Associate Director, Energy Transition. Applications are being accepted until September 13th. Due to the anticipated volume of interest, we regret that we cannot respond to every applicant. Climate Nexus is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc., an equal opportunity employer.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We strive to create a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We welcome people of all gender identities, races, sexual orientations, physical or mental abilities, ethnicities, religions, ages, and perspectives. We believe striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is key to the fight for climate justice and the success of the climate movement itself.