We are searching for an energetic, results-oriented teammate with a proven track record of guiding the public to action for change. Are you a seasoned, motivated problem-solver who loves leading coalitions, designing and mapping out big-picture, strategic efforts and coordinating the details-oriented project management that keep the efforts on track? Do you enjoy creating action-driven advocacy campaigns and implementing creative grassroots tactics? Do you want to stop climate change and build resilient communities while being a spokesperson in the state for action? Save the Sound is seeking a Climate & Resilience Campaigns Manager to join our dynamic team, working to protect and restore Long Island Sound region for all people and wildlife.

Who We Are  

Save the Sound leads environmental action across Connecticut, Westchester, New York City, and Long Island. We fight climate change and build resilient communities, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers. We are tenacious legal experts and effective collaborators, known for our ability to lead coalitions to protect green spaces endangered by development—the lands that give us quiet places to enjoy, filter our drinking water and reduce flooding, and sustain wildlife. With storms getting stronger and deluges becoming more frequent every year, we are restoring coastal marshes, rivers, and floodplains to build resilience and mitigate impacts from climate change. We work to ensure that communities are healthy and vibrant; that the laws that protect natural resources, public health, and environmental justice are strong; and that the region’s residents are empowered to use them. Learn more about us at www.savethesound.org. 

Position Summary

The Climate & Resilience Campaigns Manager proactively works cross-departmentally within Save the Sound to unite our wide variety of climate mitigation and climate resilience projects. Externally the manager works with allies to move policy ideas into action by mobilizing people inside and outside the legislative halls of Hartford, through coalition, advocacy, and voter education efforts and multi-media strategies and management. This is a unique opportunity to have creative license in developing complex, multi-pronged advocacy campaigns, significant input in program development, on-the-ground implementation authority, and direct interaction with an extensive network of coalition allies and leaders.

Join our group of talented and committed professionals from a variety of backgrounds—science, community-organizing, law, policy, and communications—working in a collaborative and nimble team to address challenges facing the Long Island Sound region. 

This is full-time exempt position. The Climate & Resilience Campaigns Manager supervises volunteers and interns, manages consultants, and works directly with the Ecological Restoration, Communications, Legislative, Environmental Justice, and Water Quality teams, as well as Executive Vice President of Programs and President. 

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities 

Leadership and Strategy: 

• Develop, implement, and manage—in collaboration with the Executive Vice President of Programs and our various teams—sophisticated and targeted multi-pronged issues-based advocacy campaigns that include grasstops to grassroots efforts, reports, media strategies, and navigating complex political landscapes
• Solve problems by building power both inside and outside of decision-making venues
• Create and manage, in cooperation with the communications team, our climate and resilience media collaborative
• Serve as a project spokesperson to the public and media and present in different venues (in-person and virtual) for different audiences, including state and regional stakeholder groups, coalitions, legislators & agencies, boards of trustees, foundations and donors, etc.

 Coalition and Power Building: 

• Convene, organize, and manage coalition efforts ensuring all perspectives are heard
• Actively seek opportunities to expand the climate coalition network to support unity
• Foster partnerships with community leaders, organizations, and grassroots advocates to amplify impact
• Support coalition strength, tools, and reach, including but not limited to:

• Identifying and recruiting potential coalition members; onboarding new members; ensuring members are updated and connected;
• creating systems for recruiting and encouraging interaction; one-on-one meetings to identify priorities; leading or supporting coalition unity and opportunities for action like creating and running calls, webinars, events, and workshops;
• managing day to day activities of a coalition like Google Drive architecture and maintenance; call outcomes; coalition newsletter development and distribution; and talking point development.

• Develop, implement, and manage our climate voter education effort 
• Collaborate with the legislative team in fostering climate change champion legislators
• In collaboration with communication staff, write, develop, and edit a wide array of organizing materials needed to mobilize partners, coalition members, and volunteers (factsheets, sign-on letters, infographics, newsletters, petitions, etc.) 

 Internal Teamwork: 

• Collaborate with our water quality team on community science driven data to action model for resilience advocacy and implementation
• Collaborate with our ecological restoration team to eliminate roadblocks to place-based nature-based solutions
• Manage volunteers, interns, vendors, and as needed, contractors and consultants and assist in the creation of contracts with these entities
• Develop, implement, and track measurable work plans
• Other tasks as necessary to carry out project goals and Save the Sound’s mission

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Competencies: 

• Keen analytic, strategic, and problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to foster effective working relationships at all levels, inside and outside of the organization. 
• Personal qualities of integrity and credibility
• Core understanding of current climate change science/policy; knowledge of specific greenhouse gas reduction and resiliency policies and issues in Connecticut and New York is a plus

• Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes; knowledge of Connecticut and New York-specific bodies is a plus 

• Ability to build trust with constituencies and mobilize to effect outcomes
• Experience in bridge-building and demonstrated ability to coalesce diverse groups of stakeholders
• Strong project management ability, particularly the proven ability to manage large projects with multiple layers and components
• Excellent communications skills, including writing and editing skills, with a strong sense of message discipline
• Strong presentation and public speaking abilities
• Ability to respond quickly to unexpected challenges and shifting priorities 
• Ability to follow through on time-sensitive tasks
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance, and professional growth
• Aptitude in MS Office programs including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Additional Desired Competencies: 

• Aptitude in Blackbaud Luminate Online, Phone2Action, Wordpress/Squarespace/Wix, Canva, InDesign, social media management software
• Knowledge and usage of power mapping

Education and/or Experience: 

• Significant demonstrated experience in developing and managing sophisticated and impactful advocacy campaigns is required
• Significant experience developing and managing coalitions is required
• 6 years’ experience in political campaign, coalition, organizing, and/or advocacy efforts; will consider less experience with proven track record
• Significant project management experience is required
• Experience working cross-departmentally within organizations
• Political science, business and labor relations, public policy, government, or government relations experience is a plus
• Experience in some combination of program development, scenario planning, design, marketing and/or message polling is a plus

Physical and Visual Requirement: 

Work requires normal mental and visual attention along with manual coordination (working on the computer). Work is generally sedentary; the individual is frequently required to move about office areas and occasionally indoor and outdoor events. The employee may occasionally move materials up to 10 pounds. 

Mental Demands and Reasoning Abilities:  

• Ability to concentrate and maintain focus for sustained periods and monitor more than one operation while handling multiple tasks, responsibilities, and projects
• Planning and prioritizing
• Problem sensitivity and critical thinking skills
• Deductive and inductive reasoning
• Emotional intelligence and reasoning
• Active listening
• Conflict resolution and
• Analyzing data, identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information

Terms and Compensation  

This is a full-time, exempt position, with occasional weekend and evening work as required. Compensation is $62,000 - $80,000 per year range, based on experience. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, 403b, life and long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, vacations, and opportunities for professional development. This is an at-will position. 

How to Apply  

Please provide the following:

• Cover letter 
• Resume 
• List of 2-3 references 
• 1-2 writing samples totaling at least 800 words

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, beginning May 17th, and will be accepted until the position is filled. 

We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Please be patient; we are a thoughtful and thorough organization, and our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. Applicants will be informed when the hiring process is complete.

Additional Details Common to All Positions 

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity 

Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work. 

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities 

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback. 
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public. 
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents. 

Hybrid Remote/Office Considerations 

This position will be based in Save the Sound’s New Haven, CT, Office, though some travel within the region and/or fieldwork is required. Save the Sound currently offers a hybrid remote/office schedule; this position is required to be in the office a minimum of two days a week.