Communications Manager

NRDC Action Fund

Job Announcement

The NRDC Action Fund is committed to advancing policies that ensure clean energy, climate protection, smart transportation, and public health. The NRDC Action Fund works to accomplish that by marshaling its members and activists and NRDC’s unparalleled network of politically connected friends and affiliates.

Position Summary:

NRDC Action Fund seeks a Communications Manager to help design and implement our political press strategy in Washington and beyond. The Communications Manager reports to the director of the Action Fund and the Communications Director, and will work with other communications staffers and program experts in Washington (as well as in other offices) to translate our policy agenda to political reporters, which includes air, water, clean energy, transportation and health issues. The Communications Manager will craft and implement proactive media strategies, respond in real time to media inquiries (from TV networks and cable television to the trade press and activists-bloggers), draft press statements, media advisories and talking points for our program experts, ghost Op-Eds, blogs and letters to the editor, and collaborate with other environment groups in joint efforts.

Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• The Communications Manager occupies a key role in the communications team, projecting NRDC Action Fund and its positions on a wide variety of environmental issues. The target audiences include media that reach not only the general public but also the White House, Congress, political operatives, as well as interest groups and stakeholders.

• The Communications Manager is expected develop, maintain and expand NRDC Action Fund’s list of media contacts--and to reach out to them regularly in order to shape stories, thereby creating a desired narrative BEFORE a contrarian story line has taken hold.

• The Communications Manager may also supervise the work of media consultants who are periodically engaged to help NRDC Action Fund execute specific media-outreach efforts (such field-visits to editorial boards in key regions of the country and the preparation of background materials for such efforts). In addition to attracting earned media (in stories as well as in newspaper editorials and opinion columns), the Communications Manager also will be closely involved in paid-media campaigns, helping shape ads (print and audio-video).

• The Communications Manager also will work with campaign staff to draft and interpret polling and other public opinion projects and craft strategies to relay their findings to the public. 

• The Communications Manager will work with assigned staffers to conceive, develop and shape public communications and projects by advising on concept as well as structure—and ensure that the relevant messages and findings are clear, compelling and of interest to press and decision makers.

Qualifications:

At least seven years of experience in writing and editing is required, preferably involving public policy, with an emphasis on science and/or environmental issues. Strong organizational skills and project management capacities are essential. Initiative is highly desirable. Experiences in, and detailed knowledge of, politics, particularly in the federal arena, are preferred. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to quickly conceive, organize, compose public messages, and to translate complex material into everyday but compelling language.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment and are committed to workplace diversity.  Salary is commensurate with experience. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to www.nrdc.org/jobs . No phone calls please.  Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC Action Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.