Program Manager, California

Job Title: Program Manager, California

Location: Remote, strong preference for California-based candidates

Salary Range: Program Manager $75,000 - $100,000

Reports To: Vice President, California

TO APPLY: Please include a cover letter with your resume. Applicants that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

Who We Are

Sunstone Strategies is a mission-driven communications and public affairs firm focused on equitable solutions to the climate crisis. We lead state and federal climate policy communications campaigns.

Sunstone was established in 2018, but our roots run deep—with a staff that pulls from decades of experience in issue communications, justice-oriented advocacy and climate policy. Sunstoners combine a rare mix of campaign and organizing ability, digital, design, ad, and research capacity, coalition and movement experience, strategy judgment, and the best public relations skills in the business.

About the Role

We’re looking for an exceedingly competent, well-organized addition to our team with a strong background, including a combination of skills related to communications, digital media, climate policy, legislative advocacy, PR and/or public affairs, campaign design and execution, and project management. This is a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with climate leaders and engage your skills by working collaboratively on campaigns on behalf of diverse coalitions and stakeholders to secure policy progress.

The ideal candidates have a background in California clean energy and climate policy and politics, are familiar with statewide and regional NGOs and climate advocacy organizations, and experience contributing to communications campaigns. Other important skills include experience coordinating and aligning multiple stakeholders across multiple projects and timelines and driving projects toward successful outcomes. We are looking for self-starters with excellent writing and media relations skills, strong attention to detail, and a determination to develop professionally, while exemplifying human-centered values as an overall reflection of the work.

Key Responsibilities

PR/Communications

• Work closely with internal team members and partner organizations to develop and implement joint communications strategies and tactics related to our California campaigns.
• Develop and edit high-quality media materials, including press releases, media advisories, and pitches and lead proactive and rapid response media efforts.
• Develop and foster relationships with key reporters.
• Support paid media strategies (advocacy ads) in collaboration with partners and Sunstone’s digital team.
• Draft messaging materials and background briefing documents.
• Develop and manage the production of print and digital collateral, including fact sheets, infographics, short videos and websites.
• Draft and distribute social media content and oversee social media production for campaign teams.

Campaign/Project Management

• Maintain and develop coalition, partner, and funder relationships with tact and judgment, ensuring deadlines are met and high quality deliverables are provided.
• Support key California priorities, which currently include electricity affordability, polluter accountability, championing regional clean energy projects and opposing fossil fuel projects. Other priorities may evolve over time but will always be grounded in advancing and defending California’s climate policy leadership.
• Lead coalition and partner calls and speak on behalf of Sunstone, as needed.
• Monitor campaign issues, legislative, regulatory and political developments, and opposition activity, as well as media and social media trends, to keep the team informed on issue areas and inform real-time adjustments to strategies.
• Regularly report on work to Sunstone team, clients, and provide support to funder updates.

Qualifications

Sunstone values the unique contributions each individual candidate may provide. We encourage candidates who may not fulfill all of the qualifications listed below but who could excel in the role to still apply!

• 4-8 years of experience with focused work in communications, digital media, public relations, organizing, advocacy, or campaigning, preferably with increasing responsibility in a role related to climate change.
• Strong project management, writing and editing, and research skills.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines, juggle many competing priorities and work well under pressure.
• Strong track record of mixing independent contributions with collaborative efforts.
• Familiarity with policies related to the climate and energy sectors.
• Familiarity with California policies, politics, and the advocacy landscape.
• Experience with digital strategy and a knowledge of emerging digital marketing and communication trends.
• Commitment to elevating the views of diverse communities and working across lines of race, class, gender, education, and geography to secure fair climate and energy policies supported by historically oppressed and marginalized communities as well as the broader public.
• Openness to giving and receiving direct, compassionate feedback.
• Highly reliable, organized and self-motivated.
• High level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with ability to engage empathetically.

Why Choose Sunstone?

Sunstone is a team of seasoned high-performers, dedicated to delivering unparalleled campaign communications support to partners. Our partners turn to us for our policy campaign expertise and ability to do what it takes to further the climate movement and to develop and lead winning communications strategies.

While we work on the edge of what most think is impossible, we take care of ourselves and one another. We hold a highly effective and distinctive work practice that is diligent and that seeks to equitably center care.

Our Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Climate Justice:

Sunstone Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to transparent and equitable recruitment, hiring, and promotion processes that foster inclusion and belonging. The climate movement has long suffered from insufficient partnership with racial and social justice movements as well as communities harmed by discrimination, and we have been less effective as a result.

Diversity in our team is not just a value but brings different lived experience and perspective that is essential to solving the climate crisis. We strongly encourage applicants from communities that have been underrepresented in the climate movement to apply for this position. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please email us at jobs@sunstonestrategies.org.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• 100% of premiums for employee health, vision and dental coverage
• 4 weeks vacation/paid time off
• 10 days of sick/personal leave
• 12 paid holidays
• Automatic 5% 401k employer contribution after 3 months of continual employment that is 100% vested
• One-time, $500 home office stipend
• Monthly phone and internet reimbursement
• Annual professional development stipend
• Quarterly health and wellness stipend
• Year-end discretionary bonus