Climate Communications Nonprofit Seeks Manager, Climate Science Communications

Climate Nexus is a national nonprofit communications shop, providing pro bono support to organizations and scientists that work on climate change and clean energy. We often act as a behind-the-scenes connector to ensure coherent, effective climate communications and to elevate the work and voices of a broad network of partners, including youth groups, environmental justice allies, city and state leaders, scientists, and more. Climate Nexus uses communications to educate journalists, policymakers and the public about the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change, and believes that telling the story of climate change to the American public can increase the urgency for action. Climate Nexus is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

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:

We are seeking a Manager of Climate Science Communications to join our Climate Signals project team. Climate Signals is an innovative communications project and digital tool that uses the latest attribution science to educate journalists, partners and policymakers on the causes, extent, immediacy, and unjust nature of climate impacts in the United States. We educate about climate change impacts as they occur, when communities experience them firsthand and are more receptive to hearing about climate change risks. The Climate Signals team uses two primary channels of communication, media outreach and digital promotion, to engage with the American public about the climate crisis. We link real-time extreme weather and climate impacts directly to climate attribution science, show how specific extremes fit within the trajectory of long-term warming, and expose the human impact of worsening extremes, including on frontline communities.

The Manager, Climate Science Communications will lead and execute Climate Signals’ earned media strategy, which informs and increases climate change impacts coverage by synthesizing the latest and best climate science and communicating it to journalists at critical moments, including ahead of extreme weather seasons and as events unfold in real time as communities in the US experience extreme events firsthand. They will report to the Associate Director, Climate Science Communications.

Responsibilities:

• Media relations and outreach: Develop and maintain climate science and impacts related media lists; build and foster relationships with editors and reporters; write short-form media-related products clearly and concisely (statements, pitches, press releases, talking points); successfully place stories and op-eds; track and analyze media coverage.
• Media strategy: Determine news value of stories, possible news angles and strategies using your own media analysis and based on your experience in the field; identify the need for, coordinate, and moderate rapid response press calls to increase and inform coverage of climate change in real time, during extreme weather or climate events.
• Science communications: Follow climate science in key moments and be able to jump in to support if needed, such as during the release of key reports (e.g. IPCC or National Climate Assessment), or groundbreaking studies; work with the Associate Director, Climate Science Communications to translate climate science research and data into compelling communications products to influence public opinion, policy debates, and media coverage; engage with, vet, and track scientists.
• Cross-team & external collaboration: Coordinate with colleagues overseeing digital promotion to develop and execute on Climate Signals’ communications priorities and goals; work with communications leaders from partner organizations to develop, coordinate, and execute communications strategies.

A Day in the Life:

Your days might include pitching journalists with climate science resources to increase climate change coverage during a major hurricane; corresponding with a journalist to identify climate science experts who can explain how rapid warming in the Arctic may influence weather in the United States; using earned media software (Cision) during the western wildfire season to assess climate change coverage and determine communications gaps; securing panelists for a rapid response press call, or moderating a press call; drafting or editing an op-ed and identifying appropriate outlets for placement; joining an introductory call with a reporter to introduce Climate Signals and expand our journalist network.

While we value work/life balance, due to the nature of news and the intensity of the extreme weather cycle, this role will sometimes require fast-paced work outside traditional hours.

Applicant Attributes:

Required

• Creative and strategic thinker with a proven ability to execute earned media strategies, place stories, and develop and maintain relationships with journalists.
• Flexible and able to pivot quickly to respond to fast-breaking assignments.
• Strong verbal and written communication, able to convey ideas and thinking clearly and concisely.
• Proven ability to organize and moderate press briefings.
• Knowledge of (or excitement to learn about) climate science and impacts.
• Shared passion for our mission to increase public awareness of climate change impacts and risks.
• Ability to remain responsive in real-time, given the intensity of the extreme weather news cycle, and organized while working remotely.

Preferred:

• Roughly 5 years of experience in communications, public relations and/or media relations, journalism, or science communications.
• Experience working on climate science, impacts and related issues is a plus.
• Well-connected with or knowledgeable of journalists who cover issues related to climate change.
• Experience with communications across media platforms (print/online, social).
• Able to lead media trainings for new spokespeople.
• Interest in learning and mastering the use of PR tools including Cision and HubSpot.
• Comfort with G-suite, Slack, Zoom, and other office software/platforms.

Compensation:

The salary range offered for this role is $66,500-$80,000, 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.

Location:

Flexible. Climate Nexus has Washington, D.C. and New York City offices, although our staff is currently fully remote. Candidates wishing to stay remote permanently will be considered, although occasional travel to our New York or D.C. offices, and/or scientific conferences may be required (and cost-covered by Climate Nexus) when it is safe to hold workplace and professional functions in-person again.

Application Process:

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume, cover letter and two writing samples (ideally media-related products of 1-3 pages such as a pitch, press release, talking points, or op-ed) to jobs@climatenexus.org under the subject line Manager, Climate Science Communications. Applications are being accepted until Wednesday, March 24. 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.