Strategic Communications Lead, US

ABOUT RAP

For more information on RAP, including our thought leadership and publications, please visit our website: https://www.raponline.org/about.

REPORTS TO

Director of Policy and Communication

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No line management; may mentor more junior team members.

LOCATION

Remote, based in the US

JOB SUMMARY

RAP’s team in the US is growing and investing in strategic communications for impact. The team is recruiting a Strategic Communications Lead to drive this work.

You will be joining RAP’s global communications team with specific responsibility for the US, working to support colleagues in their efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition through providing both thought leadership and direct support to policy makers and regulators on energy markets and infrastructure, heat decarbonization in buildings and industry, and transportation electrification.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support the Director of Policy and Communication and the US team in building a new strategy for proactive and agile communications to deliver the US team’s impact agenda.
• Under the direction of senior leaders, lead increased outreach into strategic states, working with external partners as needed.
• Make judgment calls on how and when interventions should be made and when to contribute RAP expertise to the public or political debate and advance RAP’s strategic priorities. Be reactive to opportunities.
• Work with publications and program colleagues to input into impact aims, the design of written or graphical outputs and outreach for high profile projects.
• Undertake outreach on specific outputs – including press releases, web content, social media, newsletters. Monitor and evaluate the impact and outcomes of work.
• Cultivate and Increase media relationships and create opportunities for key RAP spokespeople.
• Monitor external context – politics, US policies, narratives, media – to identify opportunities to insert or refresh RAP’s catalogue of thought leadership.
• Develop accessible content (written or other) from existing published analysis and thought leadership for new audiences/outlets.
• Lead on the facilitation of a small number of annual webinars or in person events.
• Build personal network of media contacts and support in-person outreach.
• Support senior leaders in building key partnerships for strategic alignment, messaging, or outreach.
• Support or provide guidance on funder communications and internal communications processes as needed.
• Support Director of Policy and Communication to build RAP’s global brand.
• External representation of RAP as appropriate.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of and a genuine interest in all aspects of the energy transition, including the advancement of public interest priorities of resiliency, affordability, and security.
• Specific knowledge of, or interest in acquiring, a good understanding of the energy / climate regulatory and policy space.
• Comprehensive experience in communications and media outreach, with the ability to craft and pitch compelling, media-worthy stories that cut through noise and resonate.
• Strong networking abilities to build and maintain relationships with key partners in the climate and energy space, including journalists and experts from governments, NGOs and businesses.
• The ability to monitor political debates across a range of climate and energy related issues, through media tracking and intel gathering.
• A self-starting attitude, capable of working independently to establish relationships and initiate projects.
• Project management skills to transform ideas into communication outputs and manage their delivery, collaborating with various colleagues and experts.
• Excellent writing skills.
• A generous disposition, adaptability and the capacity to thrive in a collaborative working environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or PR preferred or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, our working language. Additional language skills are an asset.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative

of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation

may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position most of the time.
• Capable of regular travel by various modes of transport.

RAP’S COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

RAP team members are hired and compensated based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

We strive to provide a work environment that allows our team members to feel safe and

respected. We value the dignity and worth of each individual and do not tolerate any form of

employment discrimination, including harassment, and any mistreatment due to race, color, sex,

gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status,

sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental

disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

RAP provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a

sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about

accommodation or need assistance with completing the application process, please

email hr@raponline.org.

• remote-first
• flexible working arrangements
• medica (HSA/HRA), dental, vision
• Life, AD&D, Retirement Savings
• generous paid time off and holidays
• global work environment

Fluency in written and spoken English, our working language. Additional language skills are an asset