Community Engagement Manager

The Alliance for Affordable Energy (AAE) is seeking a full-time Community Engagement Manager to join our communications team.

Who We Are:

Our mission at The Alliance is to safeguard Louisiana’s future by protecting consumers’ right to an affordable, equitable, and environmentally responsible energy system.​

Since 1985, the Alliance for Affordable Energy has been on the frontline demanding lower bills, cleaner energy solutions, more good-paying jobs, and better infrastructure for the people of Louisiana. As both a consumer advocate and public health advocacy organization, our policy work meets at the crossroads of social justice, sustainable economic development, and environmental protection.

In support of our mission, our team is made up of policy experts, organizers, and support staff focused on consumer advocacy in the energy and utility space. We are the only dedicated consumer advocate for utility customers in Louisiana. In our work, we monitor, educate, and participate in state and city utility regulation to ensure the public's best interests are always a part of the conversation. Our advocacy takes us across the state where we fight for energy efficiency, clean energy solutions, and to help families keep the lights on.

Our vision is a future where energy works for everyone.

AAE adheres to the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing and The Principles of Environmental Justice (EJ)

Our Need:

We are currently looking for an experienced communications professional to lead our on the ground communications and social media content efforts. Prior experience in the environmental justice or utility advocacy space is a plus, but not required.

The Community Engagement Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Alliance’s work is known and accessible to the community and that staff are informed about direct community outreach. This person is responsible for collaborating with staff to create content for social media, ensuring coverage of local actions and events, and maintaining partner and press relationships. The Community Engagement Manager will also partner with the Communications Manager, staff, and partners to remain up to date on all significant events and policy positions to aid the creation of on-brand content to be shared with our audience.

This role reports to the Director of Staff, will partner closely with the Communications Manager, and collaborate with the entire Alliance team. It is required that the person in this position reside within Louisiana.

Core activities include:

• Community Engagement Coordination
  • Digital Storytelling, Content Creation & Coordination
    • Lead the team in creating original video content for our social media platforms.
    • Partner with AAE team members to record, edit, and publish videos to AAE social media accounts and Youtube.
    • Engage and build relationships with local influencers.
  • Event Communications
    • Partner with staff to ensure the public is aware of upcoming events. Email listserv and create social media posts about events and upcoming actions and how they can engage (in collaboration with the Communications Manager).
    • Prepare graphics for flyers and other outreach (in collaboration with the Communications Manager)
    • Ensure event coverage, including but not limited to social media livestreaming, securing event photographers, and partnering with relevant local influencers.
  • Ratepayer Outreach
    • Respond to ratepayer outreach requests (with the support of the Operations and Outreach Coordinator).
    • Assist the Operations and Outreach Coordinator in fielding phone calls and, where appropriate, providing information about bill assistance resources.
    • Track outreach requests
    • Ensure the team is aware of ratepayer outreach trends.
  • Community Contact Management & Engagement
    • Maintain an up-to-date list of AAE contacts (with the support of the Operations and Outreach Coordinator and Organizers).
    • Track engagement (in partnership with the Communications Manager)
    • Relaunch the AAE membership program (in partnership with the Director of Staff, Executive Director, Community Solutions Organizer, and Operations and Outreach Coordinator).
  • Media Contact Management & Engagement
    • Maintain AAE’s media contacts list.
    • Build relationships with local media contacts and outlets.
    • Track earned media.
  • Partner Communications Support
    • Attend regular coalition meetings and, at the direction of the Director of Staff, support coalition communication efforts.
• Development & Fundraising
  • Draft language for appeals emails and send out via mailchimp, including but not limited to: GiveNOLA Day, GivingTuesday, and annual AAE’s Holiday Appeal.
  • Maintain a donor database and coordinate the sending of thank you cards (with the support from the Operations and Outreach Coordinator).
• Maintain AAE Digital archive
  • Utilize AAE’s prior work to boost communications
• Engage in weekly check-ins with the Director of Staff and Communications Manager and monthly check-ins with the Executive Director to identify project/task priorities, manage workload, give and receive feedback.

Who You Are:

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing effective social media strategies
• At least 2 years of experience working in communications, preferably in a mission-driven non-profit environment.
• Familiarity with environmental justice and the Louisiana energy landscape is a plus.

Required skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to leverage partnerships and volunteers to maximize impact.
• Experience working with local and national press and media outlets.
• Established relationships within Louisiana community.
• Ability to work with communities and professionals that are different from you in culture, ethnicity, political viewpoints, age, economic situation, or other difference.
• Excellent research skills, ability to interpret regulatory filings, synthesize information and data, and make legal concepts understandable by a lay audience.
• Ability to produce written work product without the use of Ai.
• Self-starter with the ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal communication skills.
• Flexible and adaptable; open to feedback and continued growth.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office & Google Suite, Slack, and Zoom. Other software knowledge is a plus.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Compassion for others

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Understand the history and impacts of systemic racism, inequity, injustice, oppression, and exclusion in our society
• Have a passion for progressive energy solutions, environmental justice, civil rights, and climate action
• Be an analytical thinker with detailed research proficiencies, outstanding problem solving, and project management skills
• Have exemplary prioritization and time management skills – able to switch gears, handle interruptions, and refocus back on planned work while meeting all deadlines
• Flexible and adaptable; open to feedback and continued growth.
• Will grow with the position as the organization changes over time.

• Fully covered employee Health Insurance
• Optional vision, dental, and dependent coverage (employee paid)
• Retirement plan with 401K matching
• Earned Vacation starting at up to 15 days per year
• Earned Sick leave of up to 12 days per year (mental, physical, and family health)
• All national holidays as well as Juneteenth, Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras, and the Friday following Thanksgiving, plus Summer break (entire week off for July 4th) AND Winter break (one to two entire weeks off at year end)
• Compensatory time
• Cell phone stipend
• Hybrid work model (in office and remote)
• Funding for professional development
• Parental and sabbatical leave
• Friendly and caring work environment
• Flexible work hours