Director of Communications Accelerator

Summary of Position: The Director of Communications Accelerator position is responsible for leading the development and execution of communications strategies that support the Equity Fund’s grantee partners. The Director leads the Equity Fund’s work to advance power building and equitable climate solutions by developing communications strategies that support community organizing, civic engagement, and issue and policy campaigns to advance climate equity. The position works closely with Strategic Partnerships, the Policy Accelerator and Grants and Powerbuilding teams to coordinate and align strategies that build power and strengthen impact toward the Equity Fund’s mission and goals.

Position Responsibilities:
Communications Strategy and Program Development and Implementation (35%)

• Develop climate equity narrative and communications strategies in partnership with Equity Fund grantees.
• Lead the development, planning, and implementation of a strategic communications grantmaking program that carries out the Fund’s mission and goals – including landscape research, RFPs, site visits, due diligence, written summaries, analyses, and recommendations for proposed grants.
• Research and develop narrative and communications strategies to reach diverse audiences historically overlooked by mainstream environmental movements.
• Research and develop messaging frameworks that change voters’ and decision-makers’ attitudes on climate equity, and can be employed by state and local power building organizations.
• Work collaboratively with Strategic Partnerships, the Policy Accelerator and Grants and Powerbuilding teams to ensure coordination and alignment of strategies and grants towards the Funds goals.
• Maintain strong relationships and partnerships with relevant grantees.
• Lead the creation of high quality and informative memos and reports, including docket memos, strategy papers, program evaluations, and other projects as assigned.

Field Engagement and Developing Collaboration (15%)

• Work collaboratively with grantees, board of directors, funders, partners, policymakers, and others to advance the field toward more significant impact and contribute to the Equity Fund’s thought leadership.
• Participate in networks, affinity groups, and other external efforts to learn about relevant issues and trends to advance the Fund’s strategies and represent the Fund and its work in various venues and to multiple audiences.
• Stay informed and current on relevant trends, activities, and practical communications and narrative strategies.

Grantmaking Program Evaluation, Learning, and Innovation (30%)

• Monitor and assess grant progress and work closely with grantees to accelerate impact.
• Develop learning and evaluation strategies to guide the evolution of the Communications Accelerator, including looking for lessons, opportunities, and innovations in states and across states to broaden scale and deepen impact.
• Communicate with and convene organizations to facilitate solid partnerships and learning opportunities.
• Conduct research and analysis of emerging opportunities, the needs of the field, and alignment with allied funders.
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge of organizational infrastructure, climate and clean energy policy, and political landscapes in the Fund’s target states.

Organizational Development Responsibilities (15%)

• Work closely with the Grants Management, Finance, Development, and other internal departments, to manage an efficient grant making and due diligence process, ensure finances and budgets are in order, and obligations to Equity Fund funders are being met.
• Work closely with relevant departments to ensure Comms Accelerator grants and activities meet standards of legal, financial, and tax compliance.
• Support fund development through cultivating relationships with funders, writing proposals and reports, managing program and financial reporting, and other tasks as needed.
• Prepare analyses, strategy papers, presentations, and other written materials for the President, VP of Programs, and Board of Directors.
• Supervise the staff reporting to this position and contribute to creating a collaborative team culture, providing support and leadership development opportunities.
• Manage a budget that ensures good stewardship and efficient use of funds.
• Travel to offsite meetings and other Equity Fund events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Provide leadership, direct supervision, and support to the staff position(s) that report to the Director, including the Program Manager.
• Manage consultants as needed to support Communications Accelerator strategies.

Education:

• Any combination of training, education, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the position’s essential functions.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 8 years of senior-level experience working in the nonprofit, public, or philanthropic sector with significant leadership, management, and fundraising experience.
• Experience in relevant fields such as environmental and climate justice, communications, climate and clean energy advocacy, public policy, and politics.
• Experience with civic engagement/electoral field campaigns, community organizing, and coalition-building strategies.
• Experience building organizations, developing community leaders, winning campaigns, and managing coalitions.
• Ability to travel domestically 10-15% annually.
• Other duties as assigned.

Technical Competencies:

• Public Communications
• Analytical Skills
• Budget Management
• Coaching/Mentorship
• Conflict Management
• Deep knowledge of grassroots community organizing
• Facilitation, Management
• Human Capital Management
• Internal Communications
• Knowledge of Database Systems (Salesforce, CRM, QuickBooks, etc.)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office & Other Tools
• Legislative Strategy,
• Organizational Management
• Program Management
• Public Policy Knowledge
• Remote and Hybrid Meeting Facilitation
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Relationships (Existing & Developing)
• Subject Matter Expertise (Climate and Environmental Equity)
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Work Planning
• Writing – Executive

Behavioral Competencies:
Universal Competencies for All Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund Staff: Key behaviors necessary for each employee to perform effectively across the organization.

• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for accomplishing measurable, high-quality, timely, cost-effective results.
• Collaboration: Builds constructive working relationships with clients/customers/grantees, other work units, community organizations, and others to meet mutual goals and objectives; behaves professionally and supportively when working with individuals from various ethnic, social, and educational backgrounds.
• Communication: Conveys and receives information and ideas through various media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand and retain the message, and invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed appropriately; demonstrates effective written, oral, and listening skills.
• Commitment to Equity: Has lived experience and systems-level understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Cultivates opportunities through diverse people; respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds; understand various worldviews and is sensitive to group differences; sees diversity as an opportunity; challenges bias and intolerance. Appreciates and leverages all individuals' capabilities, insights, and ideas. Works effectively with individuals of diverse styles, abilities, and motivations.
• Teamwork: Participates as an active and contributing team member to achieve team goals. Works cooperatively with other team members, involves others, shares information as appropriate, and shares credit for team accomplishments.

Competencies for People & Strategy Leaders: Key behaviors necessary for each employee to perform effectively in their specific role.

• Coaching & Mentorship: Keeps team members engaged. Provides timely guidance, ongoing feedback, and learning opportunities. Plans and supports the development of individual skills, knowledge, and abilities to fulfill current and future responsibilities more effectively. Facilitates connections and relationships with others to help team members.
• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Breaks problems into components and recognizes interrelationships; makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Compares data, information, and input from various sources to conclude; acts consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
• Innovative Thinking: Uses creativity and imagination to develop new insights into situations, apply new solutions to problems, and develop unique ideas.
• Managing Change: Manages and supports the acceptance and implementation of change within the organization; breaks big projects down into small wins to get early victories and build momentum for change. Develops metrics and monitoring systems to measure progress. Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities.
• Managing Work: Shows ability to plan, schedule, and direct work of self and others; balances task requirements and individual capabilities. Organizes materials to accomplish tasks; sets challenging yet achievable goals for self and others. Influences, motivates, and encourages others to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Quality Orientation: Monitors and checks work to meet quality standards; demonstrates a high level of care and thoroughness; reviews work to ensure completeness and accuracy. Sets high standards and well-defined, realistic goals for own work; displays a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments on time; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve.

Benefits: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families. We offer a retirement plan with an employer match, and generous vacation and sick leave policies.

Compensation: The base pay range for this position is $150,000-$170,000, based on the cost of labor in the geographical market. New hires are typically hired into the middle portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in the range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

Hiring Statement: Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund is a newly independent 501(c)(3) public charity, committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and to creating a work environment that is dynamic and rewarding. Our work environment is safe and open to all applicants, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

Sponsorship: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available.

To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter, which includes your salary requirement and an overview of your experience relevant to this position, to our online portal.