Climate Nexus is a nonprofit strategic communications group dedicated to changing the conversation on climate change and clean energy solutions in the United States. Climate Nexus is seeking a Senior Communications Manager to join our Energy Transition team. The role is focused on the responsible deployment of transmission infrastructure to support the clean energy transition. 

Our Energy Transition team uses strategic communications to advance clean energy and clean transportation and prevent or respond to opposition arguments and disinformation. In this position, the Senior Communications Manager will work closely with the Associate Director, Energy Transition to ensure transmission infrastructure and its pivotal role in the deployment of renewable energy and reliable energy delivery are regularly reflected in media, public, and policymaker conversations. 

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 environmental justice allies, cities and state leaders, technical experts, 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 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. We strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply, especially people from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the energy, climate, and environmental sectors. 

Why apply

In the last 10 years, the U.S. has seen rapid deployment of renewable energy due to falling costs, historic federal policy, and increased attention on reducing carbon pollution. Without the buildout of transmission infrastructure that matches renewable energy deployment, the U.S. will not be able to realize the clean energy benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act or meet its climate goals – which has massive implications for all Americans, but particularly for Black, brown, Indigenous, and other historically marginalized communities that are bearing the brunt of climate impacts in the U.S. and suffering from continued fossil fuel pollution. Simply put, there is no transition without transmission. 

Who you are

You are committed to and embody Climate Nexus’ values, including strategic vision; accuracy with integrity; racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; compassionate connection; and resilient service.

About the role

Climate Nexus is seeking a smart and passionate Senior Communications Manager with a track record of translating complex topics for lay audiences, who is excited to jump feet first into advancing the responsible buildout of transmission infrastructure. The best candidate will love geeking out over technology, thinking creatively and thoughtfully about opportunities and challenges facing the buildout of transmission, considering equity as a primary component of the transition, and connecting with a diverse and intersectional set of stakeholders. 

The Senior Communications Manager, Transmission will lead our daily work to focus on the responsible buildout of transmission infrastructure. This person will have prior experience on strategic communications – particularly earned media, message development, and digital. They will have direct experience working on the clean energy transition and interfacing with a broad variety of experts, advocates, and communities. 

The Senior Communications Manager is currently a grant-funded position. We have received 2 years of funding for this work to date.

Responsibilities

• Subject matter knowledge: Monitor media, trade press, policy landscape, and conduct partner conversations to identify trends, news moments, storylines, and spokespeople in the transmission space
• Media strategy, relations, and outreach: Develop relationships with reporters and pitch them on transmission stories particularly uplifting diverse spokespeople and storylines about a just transition; Lead daily execution of communications strategy on transmission, closely collaborating with external partners
• Strategic partner engagement: Lead regular meetings with partners across the transmission communications space, and play a coordinating role with regional and state communications efforts to ensure consistent strategy; Offer strategic communications advisory services to transmission partners, including advising on product launches, communications strategy, reporter engagement, polling, media training, and more; Identify new spokespeople; Work across the climate space to lift up the voices of impacted communities that will benefit from a just clean energy transition 
• Messaging and narrative development: Develop topic-specific content like message guidance, journalist backgrounders, and social media posts using preferred narratives and framing
• Rapid response: Monitor the news and policy landscape to identify opposition narratives and rapid response; lead rapid response when necessary 
• Survey research and polling: Working closely with our survey research team, identify opportunities for polling on transmission-specific topics, and project manage the delivery of new polling

Required Attributes

• At least 6 years experience in strategic communications, ideally including a variety of tactics (earned media, message/narrative development, digital marketing) 
• Specific experience working on strategic communications for transmission and/or renewable energy deployment 
• Ability to understand and translate technical energy concepts for the media and lay audiences 
• Passionately committed to positive social change through a just transition to a clean energy economy to address historic racial, gender and other systemic injustices perpetuated by the existing energy system 
• Strong relationship- and trust-building skills, with experience working with technical experts, historically marginalized communities or otherwise under-represented groups, and advocates
• Strong communication skills, able to convey ideas and thinking clearly and concisely
• Flexible and able to move quickly on fast-breaking assignments
• Active interest in engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work within Climate Nexus
• Strong writing and research skills, ability to write persuasively and find and cite primary sources 
• Project management – comfortable leading and collaborating 

Location

This role is remote within the United States, although working East Coast hours is required. Occasional travel may be required. 

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

Salary Range

Approximately $80,000-90,000, commensurate with experience. Climate Nexus offers a robust benefits package, including 4 weeks paid vacation, unlimited sick time; standard health, dental, and vision packages; generous employer contributions to 401k retirement accounts; and parental leave.

Application Process

Please apply below with a cover letter and resume in PDF format. Applications are being accepted until November 28, 2023. 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.