Communications Deputy Director

Position Title: Communications Deputy Director

Reports to:  David Ellis, Sr. VP of Policy Strategy and Outreach

Position Status: Fulltime, exempt

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $95,000-$110,000. EFI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401k with a 5% match; and a pre-tax Flexible Savings Account, Health Savings Account, and parking and metro benefits. We have generous paid time off, plus federal holidays and the week between December 25 and January 1.

About EFI Foundation

The EFI Foundation (EFIF) is a Washington-based registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the power of technology and policy innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition. Led by principals with decades of experience and proven track records in government, academia, and the private sector, the EFI Foundation produces objective, fact-based, and rigorous analysis supported by a multidisciplinary network of experts.

EFI was founded by Ernest J. Moniz, who served as the thirteenth United States Secretary of Energy (2013-2017) during the Obama Administration. Former Secretary Moniz also serves as the co-chair of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and holds a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  Former Secretary Moniz and other principals of EFI also are principals of EJM Associates, LLC, a Washington-based business consultancy.

Summary

The EFI Foundation is seeking a Communications Deputy Director to work with the EFI Foundation Senior Vice President of Policy Strategy and Outreach and lead the Communications Team to promote the work of EFIF to energy stakeholders and wider public audiences. Candidates should have a proven ability to perform under pressure.

You must have at least five years of relevant experience after college graduation in a paid position. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in communications in the energy space.

In this role, you will lead the drafting of written products (news releases, blog posts, report summaries, other website content, social media posts, fact sheets), which will include giving guidance and specific edits to the team members’ work and proofing materials for accuracy and proper framing and branding. You will also help manage the EFI Foundation’s monthly newsletter, manage event promotion, and oversee social media strategies to boost event registration and amplify analytic work. You will guide—and supervise other communications team members—the communications strategy of various projects from beginning to end stage, and that will include giving advice on the communication team’s role in project budgets and allocation of resources. You will also be a key media contact for the EFI Foundation and will manage incoming press inquiries, pitch EFI Foundation reports and thought leadership, and engage with journalists.

You will also be a member of EFIF manager meetings and will contribute to regular senior meetings on behalf of the communications team. You will liaison with the research team and external contractors and hire interns and additional communications team staff as needed with the Senior Vice President of Policy Strategy & Outreach. In partnership with the SVP, you will manage all communications team staff, help ensure their performance, and help facilitate their professional growth.

This is a hybrid position, advertised internally and externally, and candidates must be in or willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area and work in the office for at least three days a week (potentially more, as job duties require).

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Manage the day-to-day operations of EFI’s communications team, including associates, fellows, and interns. This work includes editing, coaching, and guiding staff on the production of news- and feature-style blog posts, event promotional materials, report summaries, media alerts, website content, fact sheets, and social media posts. (50%)
• Take the lead in creating and executing strategic communications plans for EFI’s many varied projects, reports, and events; Participate in and lead strategic discussions for the communication of those projects; Interface with EFI’s research and project teams; Track and manage tasks involved in executing these plans; Coordinate and supervise work of communications team members who lead projects. (40%)
• Attend and contribute to senior team meetings and discussions. (5%)
• As part of strategic communications planning, manage the production of monthly impact reports on communications and marketing analytics including social media metrics, website traffic, and email engagement. (5%)
• Also as part of managing team operations: Manage and help manage schedules for report publication and other projects and copyedit written materials produced by other team members according to EFI’s Style Guide and AP Style, to catch grammatical and punctuation errors, and to ensure clarity, accuracy, and effective framing.

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years of overall professional experience in communications; energy sector experience and a previous/currently role at a policy organization is highly desired
• Ability to implement complex projects with close attention to detail across multiple stakeholders
• Experience with communications software and applications including Constant Contact, WordPress, Adobe, Canva, HootSuite, etc.
• A visual eye – understanding of how graphic design & data drive storytelling and can make it pop
• Ability to encourage team members and build relationships across the organization, while also having difficult conversations when needed; ability to make expectations clear and coordinate well within the team and with other teams
• Prior experience managing staff is a plus
• U.S. citizenship or authorization to reside and work in the United States
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. EFI is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

TO APPLY

Please apply using this JazzHR link and include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample (preferably on an energy topic)
• Finalists will be required to provide two personal references

STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY

EFI is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans are encouraged to apply. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation for this job application due to a disability, you may contact us at info@energyfuturesinitiative.org.

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The salary range for this position is $95,000-$110,000. EFI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401k with a 5% match; and a pre-tax Flexible Savings Account, Health Savings Account, and parking and metro benefits. We have generous paid time off, plus federal holidays and the week between December 25 and January 1.

TO APPLY

Please apply using this JazzHR link and include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample (preferably on an energy topic)
• Finalists will be required to provide two personal references