📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Communications
🔹 Company: Climate Imperative Foundation
🔹 Location: San Francisco, CA (preferred), Washington D.C., US Remote
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Nonprofit, Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (1-3 days in the office per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Designing and leading the execution of Climate Imperative’s communications strategy
- Advising senior leadership on communications needs and organizational implications
- Partnering with initiative directors to ensure robust communications strategies
- Managing media relations and online presence
- Working globally in a range of political environments
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of climate-related politics.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Design, communicate, and guide the organization’s communications strategy
✅ Advise senior leadership on communications needs and organizational implications
✅ Partner with initiative directors to ensure a robust communications strategy for each initiative
✅ Lead implementation of initiative communications strategies to meet goals and uplift the mission of the Foundation
✅ Coordinate with partners on a range of communications activities
✅ Create an internal communications plan to keep the Board and staff informed of initiatives
✅ Update responsive communications plans as needed
✅ Assess the Foundation’s reputational risk and create plans to minimize such risks
✅ Develop responsive strategies and actions, draft materials, and serve as a liaison to funders and stakeholders
✅ In partnership with the Senior Director of Communications, develop and lead ongoing responsive communications trainings for Climate Imperative staff
✅ Serve as the main point of contact for all media inquiries and proactive media outreach
✅ Manage outside communications consultants as needed
✅ Provide media training and support for CI staff, as needed
✅ Ensure consistent messaging in all internal and external documents
✅ Lead and manage the online strategy and analytics for the Climate Imperative website
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of professional experience in communications, with 5+ years in the climate or energy field
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in strategic communications planning
- Excellent research, analysis, synthesis, and written and verbal communication skills
- Fluency with quantitative information and the ability to translate technical data into accessible language
- Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and project management skills
- Ability to set clear priorities and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and collaborative environment
- Understanding of energy technology and climate science
- Interest, passion, and commitment to reducing climate change
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working globally in a range of political environments
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in communications and a strong understanding of climate-related politics.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $145,000 - $155,000 (adjusted for higher-expense markets)
Benefits:
- Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental, and vision
- Short and long term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Carrot fertility and family planning benefits
- Student loan repayment assistance
- 401k retirement plan with a company match contribution
- Public transportation benefit options
- Cell phone and health/wellness reimbursement
- Parental Leave
- 14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
- Regular staff lunches and team building activities
- SF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beverages
- An innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in nonprofit organizations.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Climate change advocacy and policy
Company Size: Small (1-50 employees)
Founded: 2020
Company Description:
- Climate Imperative Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on solving the climate crisis at speed and scale
- The organization provides funding, technical support, and expertise to win the world’s most significant emissions reduction policy decisions within the next ten years
- Climate Imperative supports a hybrid work environment and requires all employees to come together in person one to two times per year
Company Specialties:
- Climate policy
- Funding and technical support
- Expertise in climate-related fields
Company Website: http://www.climateimperative.org
ASSUMPTION: Climate Imperative Foundation is a young organization with a clear mission and a focus on driving meaningful change in climate policy.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level, strategic role
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Director of Communications
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (1-3 days in the office per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow into a more senior role within the organization as it expands
- Opportunities to work on high-impact climate policy initiatives
- Chance to develop and refine communications strategies in a dynamic and evolving field
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a real impact on climate policy.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (San Francisco, CA, and Washington D.C.)
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA, and Washington D.C.
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco, CA: A major tech hub with a strong focus on sustainability and climate action
- Washington D.C.: The epicenter of U.S. politics and policy-making
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing for in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening with the Senior Director of Communications
- In-person or virtual interview with the Senior Director of Communications and a member of the leadership team
- Final interview with the Executive Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and communications planning
- Understanding of climate-related politics and policy
- Communication skills, both written and verbal
- Project management and organizational skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with the organization's mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of climate-related politics and policy in your application materials
- Showcase your strategic thinking and communications planning skills in your responses to interview questions
ATS Keywords: Strategic Communications, Climate Policy, Media Relations, Project Management, Analytical Skills, Organizational Skills, Problem-Solving, Written Communication, Verbal Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Assessment, Training Development, Technical Data Translation, Flexibility, Team Collaboration, Attention to Detail
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communications skills, and understanding of climate-related politics and policy.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides)
- Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Media monitoring and analytics tools (Mention, Brand24, etc.)
- Content management systems (WordPress, Drupal, etc.)
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be comfortable using a range of communications and project management tools, as well as social media platforms and content management systems.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Expertise-driven
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
- Inclusive
- Results-oriented
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Flexible and adaptable
- Results-driven and focused on impact
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a deep understanding of climate-related politics and policy, and can you translate complex information into accessible language?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and adapting to changing priorities?
- Do you thrive in a results-driven, impact-focused work culture?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator with a deep understanding of climate-related politics and policy, comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and driven by a desire to make a real impact on climate change.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working on high-stakes, time-sensitive communications strategies can be stressful and demanding
- Navigating political complexities and reputational risks can be challenging
- Balancing multiple priorities and deadlines may require long hours and weekend work
- Working remotely may present challenges in terms of communication and collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage stress and prioritize effectively, navigate political complexities, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on climate-related politics and policy, and the opportunity to work on high-impact initiatives
- Compared to similar roles in other nonprofit organizations, this role offers a unique opportunity to work on climate policy at a critical juncture
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a more senior leadership position within the organization as it grows
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on climate policy at a critical juncture, with significant growth potential for the right candidate.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy for a major climate policy initiative
- Managing media relations for a high-profile climate event or announcement
- Creating and implementing a responsive communications plan to mitigate reputational risk
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, high-impact nature of the work in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most challenging communications strategy you've had to develop and execute, and how you approached it?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in climate-related politics and policy?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage a high-stakes, time-sensitive communications situation, and how you handled it?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
- How do you approach working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, advocacy groups, and the media?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help you assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communications skills, and cultural fit for the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for interview questions by reviewing the key responsibilities and required qualifications for the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
