Communications Associate

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC Office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 2,000 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe.

In collaboration with partners and communities, WRI’s Electric School Bus Initiative aims to build unstoppable momentum toward an equitable transition of the entire U.S. school bus fleet to electric, bringing health, climate and economic benefits to children and families across the country and normalizing electric mobility for an entire generation.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to Senior Communications Manager and Editor, and indirectly to the Electric School Bus Initiative’s Communications Manager, you’ll be positioned to support the work of WRI at an institutional and program-specific level. You’ll join a dynamic, collaborative communications team working across some of the most impactful sustainability and equity topics to deliver meaningful, measurable change for people, nature and climate. You will support both WRI’s Core Communications team, which provides institutional communications leadership and support, and the U.S.-focused Electric School Bus Initiative.

Supporting the Core Communications team at 50%, you will help develop messaging and written content for WRI’s top priorities on the international stage. Support the Electric School Bus Initiative at 50%, you will help lead development of engaging and timely editorial content across platforms to help facilitate a rapid and equitable transition to electric school buses. 

You’ll be empowered to: 

• Develop meaningful communications materials across digital and print platforms 

• Pen thought leadership pieces that drive conversations and move the needle 

• Work with colleagues to get the most vital and actionable information into the hands of changemakers 

You’ll have a team of communications professionals working side-by-side with you, to help ensure we’re meeting our goals and delivering results. You will be supported by the Electric School Bus Initiative communications team, the Electric School Bus Initiative operations team, and Core Communications’ media and strategy team. You will be a hybrid model of remote and in-office. 

What will you do:

Core Communications Team (50%): -

• Develop drafts of institutional messaging for major international summits and policy priorities, including conducting background research
• Craft and review external thought leadership articles, op-eds, and other commentary — including identifying compelling angles
• Support cross-cutting institutional communications campaigns for top priorities, including liaising with WRI’s global programs and country offices
• Edit WRI’s flagship internal newsletter highlighting top outreach moments each month