Communications Director (candidates can be based anywhere in the U.S.)

Climate Defiance, an organization working to fight climate change, is seeking a Communications Director. Climate Defiance works to elevate climate change as a top political issue in the US through direct actions, grassroots pressure on decision-makers, and generating powerful new and traditional media attention, and the Communications Director will play a critical role in this work. As the Communications Director, you will be a part of groundbreaking work that is shaking society awake and putting political leaders and company executives on notice.

More about Climate Defiance:

We take action. We get results. We hold decision makers accountable for their actions. And we do not apologize.

We played a prominent role in halting drilling on tens of millions of acres. We helped win a pause on fracked gas exports. We've made executives in the highest levels of business and government resign in shame from their positions of power.

We are gearing up to stop the fossil-fueled oligarchy overtaking our government. We are looking for the ideal candidate to help us do it.

More context on the role:

This role is an excellent opportunity to be a part of a growing organization, work with great people, and generate critical media coverage to move the needle on climate change. To date, we have reached over 100 million people organically through and have been profiled in the NY Times, New Republic, Rolling Stone, InsideClimateNews, and the Guardian and we’re just getting started. The Communications Director will supercharge our social media, earned media, and new media programs to take this to the next level.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Cultivating relationships with climate reporters and other media contacts, regularly pitching stories and generating coverage.
• Writing and editing internal and external communications materials for traditional media (tv, radio, print), including press releases, reporter pitches, and talking points.
• Playing a lead role in developing Climate Defiance’s overall narrative and communications approach
• Managing our social media content, plans, calendar, and vision
• Managing our new media content, including youtube channels and podcasts
• Supporting our email program and website content, including blogs
• Travel to cities to participate in actions and for site visits
• Administrative responsibilities, including reporter contact tracking and media tracking

About You:

You are a collaborative and empathetic leader, with a communications background and a deep belief in the importance of effective and innovative communications in creating social change. Committed to social change, you champion racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Qualifications:

Key qualifications:

• You have a minimum of 3 years of work experience, including at least two years in communications. You have some experience working in a campaign, organizing, and/ or progressive issue setting.
• You are a self-starter, you excel in executing, implementing, and troubleshooting without excessive oversight.
• You are a great communicator who can stay on message.
• You have experience generating earned media and liaising with the press, ideally for progressive causes. You can pitch reporters, take interviews, and cultivate relationships with reporters.
• You are a strong writer and can write press releases and other communications materials.
• You have experience with digital media and bring expertise to social media and email programs
• You have some experience creating new media content for youtube and podcasts
• Willingness to Travel: Flexibility and readiness to engage in travel for actions and site visits.

Preferred qualifications:

• You have experience with direct actions and your convictions align with principles of nonviolent confrontation, direct action, and disruption

Location:

Candidates can be based anywhere in the U.S., with a preference for large cities. Due to the travel involved, it’s helpful to be based near a major airport.

Pay & Benefits:

The salary for this position is $62,400 with additional benefits, including unlimited vacation time (with 20 days plus Christmas week encouraged), group health care, and a 401(k) with a 3% employer contribution.

Structure:

You will report to our Executive Director and work closely with our Organizing Director and our part-time graphic designers.

To Apply: Please visit https://www.climatedefiance.org/jobs, click on the Communications Director job description, and use the "Apply To Position" link to apply. Please include your resume and complete our application, including where you heard about the job. (If you use the other application links, your application will be incomplete.) Thank you!

Climate Defiance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and impassioned team, with a special emphasis on encouraging applications from women, gender non-conforming individuals, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other individuals from historically marginalized communities. We uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or medical condition. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.