Communications and Development Manager

About Empire Clean Cities

Empire Clean Cities (ECC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit environmental organization with a mission to ensure clean air for future generations. As the designated local U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supported Clean Cities coalition, we are also part of a national network of nearly 100 coalitions dedicated to advancing the nation's economic, environmental, and energy security by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. We are committed to providing citizens and stakeholders access to reliable information about alternative fuels, sustainable mobility practices, and advanced vehicle technologies.

Job Summary

Empire Clean Cities seeks a creative, organized, and strategic Communications and Development Manager to lead the organization's communications efforts and support fundraising and organizational growth.

This position will oversee ECC's external communications, including website content, newsletters, social media, media relations, and marketing materials, while supporting donor engagement, sponsorship development, membership growth, and fundraising initiatives. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer and storyteller who can communicate ECC's impact to a variety of audiences and help strengthen the organization's visibility and sustainability.

This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Executive Director. The position is remote, however candidates must be based in the New York Metropolitan region and be available for in-person meetings and events in NYC and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Job Responsibilities

Communications and Marketing

• Lead ECC's communications and marketing activities across digital, print, and media platforms.
• Manage and maintain ECC's websites, social media channels, and email communications, including bi-weekly newsletters.
• Develop content that highlights organizational impact, stakeholder achievements, events, and industry developments.
• Create marketing and outreach materials, including fact sheets, presentations, graphics, reports, and promotional content.
• Draft press releases, articles, blog posts, and other public-facing communications.
• Maintain consistent organizational branding and messaging across all communications platforms.
• Track engagement metrics and recommend strategies to increase audience reach and visibility.

Development and Fundraising

• Support implementation of ECC's fundraising and development strategy.
• Conduct prospect research and identify foundation, corporate, sponsorship, and individual giving opportunities.
• Assist with grant proposals, sponsorship packages, fundraising materials, donor communications, and impact reports.
• Maintain donor, member, sponsor, and partner records within ECC's CRM systems.
• Support donor stewardship, membership recruitment, sponsorship outreach, and annual fundraising campaigns.
• Track fundraising activities and development metrics.
• Assist the Executive Director in strengthening relationships with funders, sponsors, members, and key stakeholders.
• Support planning and execution of fundraising and donor engagement events.

Stakeholder Engagement and Organizational Support

• Support the planning, promotion, and execution of workshops, webinars, conferences, stakeholder meetings, and community engagement activities.
• Assist with membership communications and stakeholder relationship management.
• Represent ECC at community, industry, and networking events, as appropriate.
• Support organizational operations and special projects as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, nonprofit management, sustainability, public policy, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in communications, marketing, development, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills. Attention to detail is a MUST.
• Experience managing websites, newsletters, social media platforms, and marketing materials.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and social media tools.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small, mission-driven organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, sponsorship development, or grant support.
• Knowledge of clean transportation, environmental sustainability, climate policy, or related fields.
• Experience with Mailchimp, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress/Weebly, Asana, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Strong knowledge of the New York City metropolitan region.

Desired Characteristics

• Passion for environmental sustainability, clean transportation, and community impact.
• Creative thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and identifies opportunities for organizational growth and improvement.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to contribute across a wide range of organizational activities.
• Commitment to advancing ECC's mission of cleaner transportation, improved air quality, and equitable access to sustainable mobility solutions.

Physical Demands:

• The position may require travel within the NYC and Lower Hudson Valley Region. Candidates must be located in the New York Metropolitan area and have the ability to meet in person with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Ability to lift up to 33 lbs (e.g., lifting plastic folding table for during an event)

• Hybrid work environment with flexible scheduling.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact advancing clean transportation and environmental sustainability throughout the New York metropolitan region.