Program Manager, Communications Accelerator

Position Summary

The Communications Accelerator is a grantmaking and field-building program at the Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund. Designed to build long-term narrative power as essential infrastructure for the climate movement, the program is in a formative stage of growth with a clear vision to build durable narrative infrastructure for climate equity. Under the leadership of the Director of Communications Accelerator, the Program Manager position supports the development, execution, and coordination of the Communication Accelerator program. The Program Manager works closely with Program Officers, State Strategists, and other teams to strengthen coordination and synthesize insights to inform program strategy.  This position plays a key role in connecting program priorities and broader climate narrative field insights to advance the Communications Accelerator's goals.  As the Accelerator evolves into its next phase, this role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the direction, strategy and scale for long-term impact.

Position Responsibilities

Program Development and Implementation (45%)

·         Support the development and implementation of Communications Accelerator strategies, including new work areas and special projects

·         Conduct research and analysis on narrative strategy, political landscape, and emerging opportunities

·         Contribute to identifying priorities and making recommendations that shape program strategy and grantmaking

·         Synthesize partner, field, and internal insights to inform program direction

·         Facilitate cross-team alignment with Policy Accelerator, Grants and Powerbuilding and the Climate Equity Action Fund

·         Develop high-quality written materials including memos, briefs, and strategic summaries 

Field Engagement and Partnership Coordination (25%)

·         Cultivate and steward relationships with state-based partners and national organizations

·         Support coordination across grantees to strengthen alignment and collaboration

·         Convene partners as needed to advance shared strategy and learning

·         Identify and access opportunities for new partnerships and strategic alignment

Program Operations, Learning and Strategic Insight (30%)

·         Track and support implementation of program priorities, timelines, and cross-team coordination

·         Collect, organize, and synthesize program data, partner insights, and field trends and opportunities

·         Translate insights into clear internal communications, including updates, briefings, and reports

·         Partner with Strategic Partnerships teams to document impact, grantee stories, and key outcomes

·         Travel to offsite meetings and other Equity Fund events

·         Other duties as assigned

Education

·       Bachelor’s degree preferred

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

Experience and Skills

·       5+ years of experience and expertise in strategic communications, narrative strategy, or related fields

·       Strong working knowledge of climate, energy, environmental and/or multi-issue campaigns

·       Experience in community organizing, racial and economic justice, government, political campaigns, and philanthropy preferred

·       Ability to travel domestically up to 20% annually

Location: Remote within the United States 

Technical Competencies

·       Strategic Communications (Media relations, Digital and Social Media)

·       Research and Analysis

·       Community Organizing and Issue Campaigns

·       Event Planning, Design, and Facilitation

·       Knowledge of Database Systems (Salesforce, CRM, QuickBooks, etc.)

·       Presentation Development & Delivery

·       Project Management

·       Stakeholder Relationship Management

·       Writing (Executive)

Behavioral Competencies

Universal Competencies for All 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 Strategy Managers: Key behaviors necessary for each employee to perform effectively in their specific role.

·       Adaptability: Adapts workflow to accommodate changes when opportunities arise or work priorities shift. Adjusts plans on a quick timeline when needed. Accepts changes as part of the process to meet goals and is willing to engage in tension that might arise. Remains optimistic when changes occur.​

·       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.

·       Detail Oriented: Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks. Tracks multiple pieces of information at the same time. Ensures the accuracy of work. Is aware of processes and timelines and engages in work promptly. Accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; shows concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checks processes and tasks.

·       Program Planning: The ability to determine specific program goals and priorities and to assess the actions, time, and resources needed to achieve those goals.

·       Strategic Thinking: Obtains information and identifies key issues and relationships relevant to solving problems, thinking through solutions, and committing to a course of action to accomplish a goal after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, available resources, constraints, and organizational values.

·       Relationship Management: The ability to understand other people’s moods, behaviors, and motives in order to improve the quality and connection of relationships (requires social awareness and empathy). Develops, manages, and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.

Benefits: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund (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 employer match and generous vacation and sick time policies.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $101,950-$123,000, based on our DC office location and may vary based on cost of labor in each respective geographical market. Actual compensation is based on cost of labor in each respective geographical market and job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. Salary offers are made in consideration of our internal pay equity and external pay equity with competitive markets.

About the Organization: The Equity Fund is a trusted and strategic collaborative funder and movement-builder whose focus is to lift up the leadership and organizing of multiracial, working-class communities to drive equitable climate action and clean energy policy. The Equity Fund’s work is grounded in climate equity, strategies that mitigate climate change, rectify racial and economic injustices, and thereby create the political will needed to propel the transition to clean energy. The Equity Fund is strategically building power by:

·       Investing in the leadership and organizing of diverse communities (Black, Latinx, AAPI, Indigenous people, and communities bearing the brunt of climate change);

·       Engaging voters in these communities through nonpartisan civic engagement campaigns; and

·       Winning climate and clean energy policy solutions that reflect the priorities of communities and advance racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Founded in 2016, the Equity Fund partners authentically with community-based organizations in 14 states (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia), to build power in communities, transform public narratives about climate change, and build political will for lasting public policies. 

Grassroots groups advocating for and organizing communities of color, Indigenous, working class and rural communities – often people hit hardest by climate change – are accomplishing critical work to build the collective power of communities. These communities are often the strongest supporters of climate policy and are a key political force to advance community demands and win durable policy change. The Equity Fund serves as a conduit for foundations and donors to partner with and support these grassroots organizations across the country. Because of Equity Fund’s expertise and deep relationships with community-led groups working at the intersection of climate change and economic, racial, and environmental justice, the Equity Fund can identify and nurture local grantee partners that have large-scale bases of members and track records of winning policy victories in their cities and states. The team then works to synthesize and share lessons learned from their grantee partners so that foundations and donors can better understand how grassroots groups can more effectively build power to advance climate solutions and then develop and coordinate funding strategies that will have the greatest results.

Hiring Statement: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund is an 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: The Equity Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religious creed, national origin, caste, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions such as pregnancy loss and reproductive and sexual health decisions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, status as victim of domestic violence, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law (such as cancer), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. The Equity Fund is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

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.

Reference and Background Checks: All selected candidates will be expected to align with our key behavioral competencies and organizational values of racial equity, excellence, service and stewardship, integrity, and collaboration, as well as uphold our high-performance culture. Therefore, all selected candidates will consent to reference and background checks as part of the hiring process. 

To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter using our portal link. Your cover letter must include an overview of your relevant experience and qualifications, and your interest in both the Equity Fund and the position. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.