Associate Director of Communications, School of Law

About the Opportunity

Please note that as of November 1, 2023, our hiring timeline was extended due to limited staff capacity including family leave, and we will continue accepting applications through February 2024. We recognize it may have been a long time since you submitted your application and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to move our hiring processes along. We will begin contacting and interviewing candidates in February. The estimated start dates for our open positions are April and May. Please email any questions to jobs@iejusa.org.

The Associate Director, Communications plays a vital role in raising the Initiative for Energy Justice’s profile and strengthening the organization’s brand. This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic communications for a research and resource center that is dedicated to advancing an equity-centered just transition across all U.S. states. We are looking for applicants who are committed to amplifying our mission and programs by ensuring our messaging aligns with IEJ’s values: voice, inclusion, and equity. We are in search of an organized and creative communications professional with interpersonal skills who can effectively describe and promote IEJ’s purpose and work to the world.

Reporting to the Operations and Culture Director, the Associate Director, Communications will manage IEJ’s communications channels and digital platforms. Aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities, the Associate Director, Communications will be responsible for developing and implementing communications plans in collaboration with other colleagues. The ideal candidate must be an exceptional writer, creative thinker, and cross-functional collaborator with a talent for executing communications projects. This is a remote position, and the Associate Director, Communications may be invited to attend some in-person meetings, events, or other engagements.

Responsibilities:
 

1) Writing and Editing

• Supervise the ongoing development, publication, and maintenance of content for IEJ’s website (including occasional blogging), email updates, social media, collateral, and newsletter
• Synthesize written or verbal content by other team members and translate them into short-form materials for IEJ’s website, newsletter, and social media
• Draft on-brand materials (e.g. one-pagers, presentation slides) to support rollout of IEJ research, policy resources, trainings, and workshops
• Project manage design work with graphic designers to enhance the visual layout of IEJ research materials and coordinate overall communications efforts with external communications consultant
• Manage press releases and media interviews with relevant outlets

2) Internal Collaboration

• Develop and implement strategic communications plan in collaboration with IEJ’s leadership team
• Organize and facilitate monthly internal communications meetings
• Collaborate with program team on project managing publication efforts; Provide strategic guidance on reaching and engaging key audiences
• Measure key metrics to assess overall communications efforts and make recommendations to reach performance goals, as needed
• Monitor various communication and outreach platforms (Mailchimp, LinkedIn) and encourage feedback and engagement, both to team and to external audiences
• Ensure unity and consistency in IEJ branding and representation across internal/external messaging (email signatures, Zoom profile pics, business cards, elevator pitch, etc.)
• Support program team by organizing webinars, including virtual event rehearsals, live tech support, and post-production outreach
• Field P.R. inquiries to team members

Qualifications:
 

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge and skills are typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience or at least 7 years of experience in a relevant field (e.g. communications, public relations, or marketing roles)
• Superb organizational, communication (written and verbal), and listening skills
• Must be tech-savvy and proficient with different project management, email automation, and analytics tools
• Passion for storytelling and ability to communicate complex concepts simply and effectively to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability in using analytics, managing processes, and problem-solving
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions and proactive strategic decisions
• Experience managing third-party service providers such as graphic designers, web developers, or public relations firms
• Able to effectively manage and follow-up on emails and tasks with competing timelines

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